Every Pastor needs at least one encourager to keep him from
succumbing to the constant discouragement from Satan’s emissaries. Pastors need
people to respect and believe in them, to pray for them and to compliment them
for a job well done.
The congregation needs encouragers too - people who will
listen and remember to pray for our concerns - those who call to check on us
and to see how we are doing, and if they can help with any of our physical,
emotional, financial or spiritual needs.
A man named Joseph in the Bible encouraged people so much,
that the Saints started calling him “Barnabas”, which means “the son of
encouragement” (Acts 4:36). What a great compliment! God used Barnabas to
introduce Paul, the persecutor of Christians, to the apostles of Jesus who
lived in Jerusalem
Barnabas had the discernment needed to encourage others.
Even when Paul disqualified a young Believer named Mark from joining him in
ministry, Barnabas took Mark under his wing. Barnabas believed in Mark and
encouraged him, just like he had encouraged Paul. Eventually, Paul recognized
the new maturity in Mark and took him on one of his future missionary journeys (Colossians
4:10; Philemon 24). Barnabas even took a turn encouraging and ministering
with the apostle Peter (1 Peter 5:13).
We each have our own personal encourager living right
inside of us (John 14:16-17). Our Father sent Him to us when
Jesus returned to heaven. The Holy Spirit is our comforter and our guide. He
revives, helps and fortifies us as He teaches us and brings the words of Jesus
to our remembrance (John 14:26). Therefore, between comfort from
our church family and that of the Holy Spirit within us, we can rise above any
challenge Satan throws at us (1 John 4:4).
Prayer:
Father God, Your strength is made perfect in our weakness (2
Corinthians 12:9). Your Spirit leads us in this world of darkness, and
comforts us in every trial we endure. Remind us to submit to His presence
within us, and to trust that You are working through Him to direct the feet of
the stumbling and to protect the heart of the downtrodden. His comfort envelops
us and brings us victory in each facet of life and through every tribulation.
Thought for the Day:
When someone rejects God’s Truth, we can love them without condemnation or rejection, which will give them the freedom to express their doubts in a safe environment, as we encourage them to open their hearts to God’s love.
When someone rejects God’s Truth, we can love them without condemnation or rejection, which will give them the freedom to express their doubts in a safe environment, as we encourage them to open their hearts to God’s love.
