Encouragement – Part Three

August 20th, 2012 dsisler

I really never intended this to be a series on encouragement, but as it turns out I think it just might be! This is part three and we are not nearly done.

I found seven specific passages where Paul was encouraged. Now he speaks a lot about encouragement and I believe those things encourage Paul as well, but these seven passages show how he was encouraged.
Over the next few days I will get into the other passages on encouragement. Yesterday we looked at the first three ways Paul was encouraged. Today, we will discuss the last four.
So let’s look at these texts and see how we can bring these elements into our own lives to encourage men and women in ministry or on the mission field.
Four
Paul was encouraged by physical fellowship, but also by spiritual fellowship. When Paul remembered the people in the churches he planted, he was encouraged by their faith and their faithfulness. In Philippians 1:3-5 (NIV), Paul tells the Philippian believers, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”
Paul met so many people, started so many churches, and saw so many people come to God for salvation. And yet, he was encouraged by individuals who remained faithful to their salvation. He was encouraged each time he thought of them. What a blessing memories are. What a blessing Christian fellowship is. What a blessing faithful Christians can be to their mentors. Paul knew these blessings and was encouraged.
Five
Hearing news from the churches encouraged Paul. Philippians 2:19 (NIV) says, “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.” I envision Paul hearing stories from young Timothy of the Philippian Church. Paul would listen and would laugh through the funny portions, clap at the victorious, cry during the painful, and rejoice with the joyful.
Paul was encouraged by news from his fellow brothers. Hearing of their day-to-day struggles and victories cheered Paul.
Six
Another passage in Philippians shows yet another way Paul was encouraged. “Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.” (Philippians 4:14-16 – NIV)
This group of believers not only encouraged Paul spiritually, but they encouraged him physically. They gave money and supplies to help with his ministry. No one else did (at least at this point in time). They were the only church who felt the need to share with Paul. Indeed, the Philippian Church was a great encouragement to Paul.
Seven
Paul was encouraged by the Church at Thessalonica as well. Their faith and faithfulness brought joy to Paul. 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10 (NIV) shares the feelings Paul had for these Christians. There are phrases like, “pleasant memories,” “long to see you,” “we were encouraged,” “how can we thank God enough,” and “joy we have in the presence of our God because of you.” In verse 10 (NIV), Paul says, “Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.”
Paul not only was encouraged by this group of Christians, but he was encouraged that they were still eager to learn. That he would one day be able to continue to share the gospel with them and see even more spiritual growth.
As we have looked at these encouraging moments in Paul’s life, we can better understand what encouragement is all about. By using Paul’s examples, how can we encourage those in ministry or on the mission field?
How You Can Be an Encouragement to Your Minister or Missionary
Encouragement Four
Give them reason to thank God each time you are thought of. Be a blessing to your minister. Be a blessing to a missionary. Be an encourager.
Encouragement Five
Share your news. Send letters, cards, and emails. Whatever method you wish to use, use it. There is nothing better than hearing news from “back home” or from special friends. For a missionary, this is a great life line. For a local minister, it is an encouragement to know what is happening in your life. They want to rejoice with you. They desire to cry with you. They are willing to celebrate the victories. They just need to know about them!
Encouragement Six
Support them financially. The local congregation and the mission field each deserve our financial support. Yes, we’ve had some hard times in our economy lately, but we must continue to support the work of God. Whenever and wherever we can.
Encouragement Seven
Remain faithful and continue our own spiritual growth. There are four things the early Church devoted themselves to. “…the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the braking of brad and to prayer.”(Acts 2:42 – NIV) These four elements will promote spiritual growth within our lives. Let’s stick to them. Let’s remain faithful. Let’s grow spiritually. You never know who you might be an encouragement to.
These are the seven things that encouraged the apostle Paul. I don’t believe I’ve missed any, but I could be wrong. If you happen to come across others, please let me know. I’d love to hear from you!
We aren’t done with this study on encouragement. I pray that you’ll continue this biblical journey with me over the next few days as we learn how to encourage one another.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
Share

Encouragement – Part Two

August 19th, 2012 dsisler

Yesterday I began a series of blog posts discussing the topic of encouragement. How Paul was encouraged and how he encouraged his contemporary fellow Christians and Christians throughout history as well.

I’ve already covered the meaning of encouragement. So today we will continue and look at what encouraged Paul as he went about his ministry.

I found seven specific passages where Paul was encouraged. Now he speaks a lot about encouragement and I believe those things encourage Paul as well, but these seven passages show how he was encouraged.

Over the next few days I will get into the other passages on encouragement. In this blog post, we will look at the first three. Tomorrow, we’ll discuss the last four.
So let’s look at these texts and see how we can bring these elements into our own lives to encourage men and women in ministry or on the mission field.
One
His first encouragement came from the best encourager, Barnabas. After Paul’s conversion, the Christians in Jerusalem were frightened to bring Paul into their Church. He had been arresting, persecuting, and even putting to death Christians because of their faith. They were skeptical.
But Barnabas stepped in. Barnabas took Paul to the apostles and told Paul’s story. Barnabas acknowledged Paul’s conversion and his ministry. Barnabas accepted Paul and was thrilled to see Paul using his gifts and talents in Jesus’ name. Paul’s encouragement from Barnabas was simple acknowledgement.
Two
Paul was also encouraged by Jesus Himself. Paul had been before the Sanhedrin and it had become so violent that the commander was afraid for Paul’s life. In Acts 23:11 (NIV), we see these words. “The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, ‘Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.’”
Jesus encouraged Paul by allowing him to see a glimpse into his future. That he would not be killed in this moment but would continue to preach the Gospel, even to the Roman people. What an encouragement it must have been to be in Jesus’ presence!
Three
Paul was encouraged by fellow Christians who had taken the time to travel to see him. We see the outcome in Acts 28:15 (NIV). “The brothers there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged.”
These Christians felt the need to be with Paul and traveled great distances to encourage him. How blessed Paul must have been at that moment. These were Christians Paul had not met before, perhaps had not even heard of this group of Christians. But they had heard of Paul and they wanted to show him they were honored to have him in Rome. Yes, Paul was encouraged. God’s message had reached this great distance from Jerusalem.
As we have looked at these encouraging moments in Paul’s life, we gain a better understanding of what encouragement is all about. By using Paul’s examples, how can we encourage those in ministry or on the mission field?
How You Can Be an Encouragement to Your Minister or Missionary
Encouragement One
We can acknowledge their work for the Lord. Acknowledge that it isn’t always easy. That there are difficulties that accompany the blessings. Simply let them know that you are thinking of them and praying for their ministry. That will indeed be an encouragement to them.
Encouragement Two
Only Jesus can fulfill this encouragement. But we can encourage these servants of God to be in His presence. We can share passages of Scripture with them. Provide a devotional book. Anything to bring them into God’s presence. For it is there that they will find complete encouragement.
Encouragement Three
Travel to see those on the mission field. It may not be possible for everyone, but for those who are able to do so, you should. I am a slow learner in this area. Into my 50’s and just now going on my first service trip. I know that I can be an encouragement to those I’m heading to see, but I also know that I will be encouraged by their dedication to serving my God and King.
Phew! I never, ever thought I’d learn this much about encouragement when I offered to see how Paul was encouraged. But I have never been so excited to see what effect a specific word or element could have on a group or an individual. God has yet again opened my eyes to something I’ve missed in the past.
I pray that God is opening your eyes as well. Let Him encourage you to be an encourager.
Tomorrow we will continue with the seven ways Paul was encouraged. I pray you won’t miss it!
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
Share

Encouragement – Part One

August 18th, 2012 dsisler

As the SE Asia service team makes preparations for our upcoming journey, we have laid out some objectives. One of those objectives is to encourage the group we are going to visit. We discussed a few things, but I wondered how the Apostle Paul was encouraged by others as he devoted his life to sharing God’s message with others.

So over the next few days I’m going to be doing some digging into the encouragement realm. How to encourage those who are sharing the Gospel and how Christians can be encouraged.

There are three elements to encouragement. First, is the idea to inspire with hope, courage, or confidence; to hearten. Second is to give support to; to foster. And third is to stimulate; to spur.[i]

Inspiration is a great concept to bring into encouragement. Sometimes if we don’t see the vision, we will not be encouraged to join into a project, or desire to be part of a team. When we are able to cast that vision, we will be able to draw others into seeing what God sees.
What are we to inspire with? Hope, courage, or confidence. As a Christian, there is no greater hope than to know one day I will see Jesus face to face. That hope gives me the courage and confidence to do what I am called to. Whether it’s writing a daily blog, going on a service trip, witnessing to a stranger, leading a women’s Bible study, or reading a Bible story to my grandchildren. The hope I have in Christ Jesus inspires me!
The second element to encouragement is giving support. I believe this includes several areas. For those in ministry, we must support them financially. The men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving a local congregation are to be compensated for their work. But it goes beyond that.
Providing appreciative, emotional, moral support to a person in ministry is an encouragement to them. Knowing that a group of people are behind them will drive them to follow the call that God has placed upon them. Doing the opposite is the fastest way to drive a minister from a church.
And third, we see that encouragement has an element of stimulation. To spur on. You’ve heard how yawns and laughter are contagious, right? Well encouragement is contagious as well. Being motivated to do better. To be better. To serve better. It will catch on.
Encouragement. There is a lot more to this word than meets the eye. This blog post is near completion and I haven’t even shared a Bible verse!
In Romans 12, Paul lists the different functions of the body of Christ. This is what he says. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us, if a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12:6-8 – NIV)
While I believe there are those who are truly gifted in the encouragement area, I believe each of us must be an encourager. There are so many other verses that say, “encourage one another.” And we’ll be discussing those over the next few days.
Take some time today to see how you are an encourager. To whom are you an encourager? When was the last time you were an encourager to your minister? Or to a missionary? Or to a co-worker?
Are you lacking in this area? If so, pray that God will open your heart to ways to add this wonderful gift into your life.
I must admit, I haven’t done as well with this as I should. I’m thankful for the eye-opening experience of going on a service trip to find these areas of my life that are lacking. I pray that the desire to be an encourager will pierce your heart as it has mine.
The SE Asia service team is training and preparing to go on this trip. We are now just 36 days from leaving. I have been encouraged by so many already and am so thankful for them. If you have the desire to be an encourager to me, please let me know.
I’d love to have you join my prayer partner team. You will receive emails from me before I leave sharing prayer requests and praises. And while I am gone, a lovely lady will be sending daily prayer requests by email, detailing what we will be doing on that day and how you can encourage us through prayer.
I’d love to have you join my financial partner team. I’ve been so blessed already. The costs are nearly covered. However, it still isn’t enough. If God is placing this on your heart, please feel free to contact me through this blog and I’ll get the information to you as to how you can help. Or you can go to http://preachitclearly.blogspot.com/2012/07/make-difference-in-southeast-asia.htmlfor more information.
Encouragement. One word filled with so much meaning. Let’s be encouragers today. To whomever your path crosses. Don’t miss an opportunity to say a good, kind word. To do a kind deed. To be faithful to God’s mission. Through encouragement, you will be encouraged.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna

[i] http://www.thefreedictionary.com/encourage
Share

G, F, F, and S

August 17th, 2012 dsisler

As long as I can remember, I’ve had strong fingernails. Because of this strength, I have had a perfect set of natural nails on more occasions than I could possibly count.

My fingernails have also led me into trouble…I was told to cut my nails after an encounter with my sister in the middle of the night. She got the worst of it.
Through my high school years, I was told on multiple occasions that I should consider being a hand model. I had no idea what that was at the time and never pursued that career, but the time for hand modeling is over for me!
In 8th grade, I recall changing the color of my nail polish daily to match my chosen outfit. This from the fashionista that I was…my idea of the perfect outfit consisted of a skirt with Converse basketball sneakers.
I must admit, I’m not as enthralled by my fingernails as I was then. There are days that I spend a little extra time on them and they look pretty good. But in the scheme of life, beautiful fingernails really don’t seem so important.
So what is important? My daily encounters. Encounters with God, family, friends, and strangers.
God
First and foremost, my daily encounter with God must top my list. If I do not spend time with Him, learning from His Word and communicating with Him, the rest of the encounters might as well be tossed into the trash can. I can guarantee that my personal relationship with God and how intimate I am with Him determines how I react to every other encounter throughout my day.
David knew how important this element was. In Psalm 73:25-26 (NIV) David cried out to God with these words. “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” What words to live by!
Family
My interaction with my family must be important as well. My family must see and know the good in me. But sometimes I can get bogged down with a project or consumed by another element and my family gets the worst of me. How I long to rid my life of this inconsistency. Praising God and cursing man with the same tongue (James 3:10).
It is only with God’s strength and wisdom that I can be the woman of noble character that Solomon wrote about in Proverbs 31. With God, I can be a wife worth far more than rubies. With God, I can speak with wisdom and faithful instruction. With God, I am called blessed by my children. With God, I have a chance to be His imitator and live a life of love among my loved ones.
Friends
Friendship is so precious. My “girlfriend” time is so valuable to me. But sometimes, if we are not careful, ugliness can join in the conversation. Gossip, idle talk, boasting, and busybodiness just might make it to the table. But we can see from Scripture what our conversations should include.
Colossians 4:6 (NIV) says, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Full of grace. That means for everyone and everything that is discussed with friends. Don’t allow Satan to ruin something beautiful in friendships. Ask God to be in the middle of those gatherings. It will make a difference.
Strangers
And then there are the strangers I encounter. How am I to engage with them? In Matthew 25:35, 40 (NIV), Jesus said, “For I was hungry ad you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in…I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” We are to treat strangers like we would treat Jesus.
In Hebrews 13:2 (NIV), we see more information about strangers. “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” You never know who you might be speaking to. Use words of kindness, gentleness, graciousness regardless of who you encounter.
These daily encounters are important in my life. Not that I have achieved these goals. But I try. I remember Paul’s words in Philippians when I miss the mark. “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 3:13b-14 – NIV)
My day is just beginning and so far I’m off to a good start, but it is only 7:30 a.m. I have a long way to go. However, being on this journey with Jesus makes the days so much sweeter. It makes me so much sweeter. And in turn, makes my encounters so much sweeter. I pray you can say the same.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
Share

Recall

August 16th, 2012 dsisler

On December 31, 2011, the accelerator pedal on my vehicle began to accelerate on its own. The pedal was pressed to the floor and it stuck in the full acceleration position. Needless to say, this was a scary incident.

We called the car maker to see if there were any recalls on this vehicle. There weren’t, but the complaint was noted.
My husband switched out the accelerator and cruise control cables, hoping that the issue would be fixed and that it wouldn’t happen again. It was the best we could hope for.
Two weeks ago we received a letter from our car maker stating that there was a safety recall on my vehicle for this very issue. I called and made an appointment and they disabled the cruise control on my vehicle until they can further decide how to repair this issue.
Apparently, in some vehicles there is inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable which could allow the throttle to stick. That was exactly what happened to my SUV! There were 68 complaints and one death before the recall was put into action.
I must admit, I have been very nervous about driving for the past 8 months. Especially when I had the grandkids with me. Wondering if it might stick again for no apparent reason. It has been difficult.
Fortunately, we do have systems in place to keep us safe. There are people in the United States whose jobs are designated to test products to ensure our safety. What a shame, however, that someone had to die before this recall was initiated.
We are also blessed to have a God who takes our safety very seriously. Our spiritual safety.
We are warned to watch out for those who want to deceive us in Mark 13:5 (NIV). “Jesus said to them: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you.’” We must know God’s Word so that we are not deceived. Our spiritual safety is at stake!
Jesus warned to watch out and be on our guard against all kinds of greed in Luke 12:15.
Paul urged the brothers in Rome to “watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.” (Romans 16:17 – NIV) Again, we must know what God’s teachings are in order to know when the message doesn’t line up with His.
And in 1 John, we see the warning to “Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.” (1 John 1:8 – NIV)
Another warning can be found in Galatians 6:1 (NIV). In the discussion of restoring a sinning brother, Paul adds, “But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” We need to keep ourselves spiritually safe in this situation.
Temptation is also the focus of 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NIV). Here, Paul says, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
Now that is spiritual safety at its finest. God knows when we are at our limit when it comes to temptation and He will offer a way out. I don’t know about you, but for this I am eternally grateful.
We know that Satan is out to tempt us in any way he can. That is another reason Peter encouraged his readers (and us) in 1 Peter 5:8 -9 (NIV). “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in your faith…”
Yes, Satan is looking for that one moment when we are at our weakest to set his plan into motion. We must rely on God’s safety plan to keep our spiritual lives safe.
We must learn to place our spiritual safety into God’s hands. He wants what is best for us and He will do His part to keep us safe. Here are two verses to prove it.
“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8 – NIV)
“To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25 – NIV)
Nearly two weeks into the “fix” I am feeling more comfortable about driving my SUV. But I know this is only temporary. The permanent “fix” is being prepared and will be implemented soon.
In our spiritual lives, the temporary fix occurs while we are on this earth. God’s Spirit working in us to keep our spiritual lives safe. But I cannot wait for the permanent fix. Heaven. Once there, I will know complete spiritual safety. Until then, I will rely on God to keep me from falling. To keep me safe within His presence.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
Share
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

  • Subscribe by Email

  • About Me

  • "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe." Ephesians 1:18-19

  • I am a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. I lived in the beautiful state of Colorado for 20 years where I found great inspiration for my novels and devotional writings. Currently living in Jacksonville, Florida.

  • I am passionate about helping women find their way to Jesus through Bible study, teaching, speaking, inspirational writing and creative Bible journaling.

  • Bible Studies & Other Happenings

    Bible studies I’m currently leading:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    In September 2012 I went to SE Asia on a service trip. For more information, check out preachitclearly.blogspot.com.

  • Categories

  • Recent Posts

Visit Us On TwitterVisit Us On FacebookVisit Us On PinterestVisit Us On Linkedin