Here we go again. Today is Wednesday, April 8, 2025, and, I do hope you are off to a good start. I do thank those who have let me know they enjoy reading the stuff I sling onto the electronic page. Encouragement. We all enjoy it, and, truth be told we all do better when we feel encouraged. Some people have an encouraging spirit about them. Just being who they are in Christ lends itself to the encouragement of others. For those of us who are Christ followers and members of His established local called out assembly, His Church, well, encouragement of others is not an option, it's a mandate. Here are a few instructional words from our How to Live Manual, God's Holy Word:
Hebrews 10:24-25 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. ~ 1 Corinthians 14:26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. ~ 1 Corinthians 14:12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church. ~ Ephesians 4:15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, ~ Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. ~ Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin ~Romans 15:1-2 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
I mention this because I need to be reminded of it, often. I grew up going to Church services all the time. Every service, all the time, period. However, among the members there were not a whole lot of folks who carried a joyful countenance as they went about their daily lives. A young person would soon get the idea that being a Christian meant mostly a life of bearing with it and learning how to grimace your way through it all. There were a few exceptions. Thank God for that. There were some in that very conservative local assembly who may not have had a clue as to the meaning of the word edification, but, they had the love of Jesus in their heart and because of that they tried to build up others. (The Greek word for "edification," meaning the act of building up or promoting spiritual growth, is "oikodomē" (οἰκοδομή). Those people took the time to encourage me and in so doing they contributed to my growth. They have now gone on to their reward but I remember them and I thank God for their helping me along my way. Amen.
We do live in a very critical world where tearing folks down seems to be almost like a sport. Talk about contagious, that critical and negative spirit can spread like wildfire. It can. It really can. I need to be on guard. You need to be on guard. Can it happen to a born again believer? Most certainly, it can! Can it happen to a local congregation? It can! The Apostle Paul wrote letters to the local congregation meeting in Corinth, Greece, (1st and 2nd Corinthians), and he gave a scathing rebuke for how they were treating fellow members. It can happen. Here's a confession for you. I am good at it. That's right. I am good at finding what's wrong with others and expressing it. That's why I wrote today's episode because I don't want to grimace my way through life, but, rather, I want to, we all should want to, live in a way so that others see what we are doing and they give honor to our Father in heaven. (Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16) You pray for me and I will pray for you. That's how we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18) Get it? Good. Me too! Amen.
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