{"id":183,"date":"2012-08-21T13:48:00","date_gmt":"2012-08-21T13:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/?p=183"},"modified":"2012-08-21T13:48:00","modified_gmt":"2012-08-21T13:48:00","slug":"encouragement-part-four","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/?p=183","title":{"rendered":"Encouragement – Part Four"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the past three blog posts, I have shared an introduction to encouragement and how the apostle Paul was encouraged by those he came in contact with. I stated that there were seven, but in fact, after much research, I believe I\u2019ve found two more!<\/span><\/p>\n

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So before I move along, I want to share these with you. If you haven\u2019t had the opportunity to read Encouragement \u2013 Part One through Three, you may want to do so before continuing with today\u2019s blog post.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Just to remind you these passages show how Paul was encouraged and then we\u2019ll see how we can bring these elements into our own lives to encourage men and women in ministry or on the mission field. <\/span><\/div>\n
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Eight<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
Paul had great love for the people in Ephesus. He spent between three years in this city and many became believers during that period. On Paul\u2019s journey back to Jerusalem where he would eventually be arrested and sent to Rome, he had an encounter with the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:17-21:1).<\/span><\/div>\n
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After words of encouragement to them to fulfill their duties as elders and to beware of the \u201csavage wolves,\u201d Paul and the elders knelt down and they prayed.<\/span><\/div>\n
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While the only mention of \u201cbuilding up\u201d is from Paul, I believe Paul was encouraged by this encounter. He saw the great love these men had for God and for himself. He saw their desire to follow God\u2019s plan for the Church. He knew their faithfulness would continue to build and grow God\u2019s Kingdom in the future. And he was encouraged that he was leaving Ephesus in good, capable hands.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Nine<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
In 2 Corinthians 7, Paul shares some wonderful expressions of devotion regarding this group of people in Macedonia. In his first letter, Paul urged them to repentance and in so doing, brought about \u201cGodly sorrow that brought repentance that lead to salvation and no regret.\u201d<\/i> (2 Corinthians 7:10 \u2013 NIV)<\/span><\/div>\n
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In two verses, Paul says he was encouraged by this group. 2 Corinthians 7:4 (NIV) says, \u201cI have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.\u201d<\/i> In turn, I\u2019m certain the people who received this letter were also encouraged.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Then in verse 13 of the same chapter, Paul says, \u201cBy all this<\/i> [their repentance, eagerness, indignation, longing, concern, readiness] we are encouraged.\u201d <\/i>(2 Corinthians 7:13 \u2013 NIV)<\/span><\/div>\n
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And then Paul says he boasted about this group and that they had not disappointed. He was not embarrassed. Everything he said about them was true. (2 Corinthians 7:14) No wonder Paul was filled with joy when he remembered the church in Macedonia!<\/span><\/div>\n
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How You Can Be an Encouragement to Your Minister or Missionary<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/div>\n
Encouragement Eight<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
First, I believe we can pray for and with our minister. Think about it. When was the last time you prayed specifically for the things Paul prayed in Acts 20:28-32? Perhaps you never have. What powerful words these can be. Maybe it\u2019s time to use Paul\u2019s words during our prayer time.<\/span><\/div>\n
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And for those on the mission field, I believe we need to pray earnestly for their safety. The elders of Ephesus were saddened by the thought that they would not see Paul again. There can be real danger for our missionary friends. Please don\u2019t forget to pray for them daily.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Second, I believe we can join them on their journey. The elders at Ephesus wept with Paul. They understood that Paul was heading to encounter his own \u201csavage wolves.\u201d The elders and the church of Ephesus would be there with him in prayer. It may not be possible to physically be with our missionaries, but we certainly can be with them in spirit. Allow God\u2019s Spirit to make the connection. <\/span><\/div>\n
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Third, if we are truly able and prepared, I believe we can let our ministers and missionaries know that we are capable of carrying on or maintaining a ministry (with God\u2019s help). Perhaps you are feeling a tug at your heart right now. It may mean it\u2019s time to take that step forward and take the baton. You\u2019ll know if the timing is right. God will go before you and prepare the way. <\/span><\/div>\n
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Encouragement Nine<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
Be a joy to your minister or a missionary. Act upon their message. Be eager to do what God\u2019s Word says. Have concern for the injustices of this world. And do not bring embarrassment to them.<\/span><\/div>\n
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I realize we are not on this earth to bring glory and honor to any man, but to lift up our God as Lord of Lords and King of Kings. But I think we see from this passage that a little Godly boasting is acceptable. The lives we live are to be a reflection of God. Oh, how I pray that I am not an embarrassment to God above all.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Well, this was an unexpected twist. And to be honest, I may find even more to add to this list as my study on encouragement continues. I can only ask that God will enlighten my heart to what His Word says about this topic.<\/span><\/div>\n
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We aren\u2019t done with this study on encouragement. I pray that you\u2019ll continue this biblical journey with me over the next few days as we learn how to encourage one another\u2026<\/span><\/div>\n
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Grace and peace be yours in abundance,<\/span><\/div>\n
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Donna<\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the past three blog posts, I have shared an introduction to encouragement and how the apostle Paul was encouraged by those he came in contact with. I stated that there were seven, but in fact, after much research, I believe I\u2019ve found two more! So before I move along, I want to share these […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_s2mail":"","_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,16,20,15,23,26,19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-183","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-believing-god","category-following-god","category-hearing-god","category-knowing-god","category-seeing-god","category-serving-god","category-thanking-god"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=183"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/183\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=183"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=183"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=183"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}