Encouragement

This note is sort of a spin off from a friend's not about judging but really it is more centered on a theme that the Lord has laid on my heart for two years and yet, ashamedly, I have pulled away from it the past month or so. The Lord has convicted me that when He lays something on my heart - I need to heed it and not pull away.I Thessalonians 5:11 states, " Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." The background is that the church at Thessolonica was speculating about end times and the return of Christ. It was an issue of being taken off guard. Yet Paul reminded them that as Christians they are sons of the light (5:5) he goes on to tell them to be alert and self-controlled and not "panicky" He then tells them to encourage one another and build each other up. This is thrown into the middle of a very touchy discussion for a reason - to keep them on task.

We are instructed, not suggested, but instructed to encourage and build each other up. Paul knew that the pitfall of the church would be when members began to tear each other down and hurt one another. Isn't that the way it is in our churches today? We begin to notice the little things that annoy us or things we disagree with one another about and suddenly we are no longer building one another up but we are tearing the walls of the church apart. We are so enveloped in a world that is self centered that we have allowed that to creep into the walls of the church.

My challenge to myself, and to other christians is this - ENCOURAGE AND BUILD ONE ANOTHER UP - forget about the things that aren't of eternal purpose but rather things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy (Phil 4:8). When was the last time you went to a brother or sister in Christ and said "Well done, you are really showing the light of Christ" or " I am so thankful for you as a friend." The one that is close to MY heart since the Lord has given me a heart for moms of preschoolers is "you are so faithful in bringing up your children in the way of the Lord." Friends, the world gives us plenty words of discouragement, condemnation and even advice. Only Christians have the ability to hand out words of encouragement and words that build our insecurities into self-confidence.

This isn't a post about judgement or a post about confrontation or really even accountability. It is a post to encourage you to praise one another and encourage one another in your walk with the Lord.