Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Encouragement (among believers) (11/08/07)
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TITLE: Excel In Encouragement | Previous Challenge Entry
By Rosalyn Johnson
11/13/07 -
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Paul was writing to a church that was extremely zealous for spiritual gifts, however, Paul’s emphasis was on edifying The Body of Christ. He instructed the believer to covet prophesy because prophesy comforts, edifies, and exhorts those that receive it.
All of Paul’s letters to the churches were written to edify the believers in one way or another. He always encourage believers to walk with Jesus to pursue purpose, to be in fellowship with the saints. He instructed us not to forsake the church but to encourage one another more and more as we see the day of the Lord approaching.
The Bible says in the last days that the love of many would grow cold, unfortunately, this cold love has crept into the church of Jesus Christ. We as believers must be committed to love our brothers as well as to esteem them above ourselves. The Bible says that we should look on the things of others and not on our own things. Jesus lived His life this way. He was always concerned about the lives of others. He did not care what ridicule He would receive when He publicly ministered to the Samaritan Woman. Jesus knew the custom, that a man could not speak to a woman in public who was not his wife. He understood the animosity between the Samaritans and the Jews but this did not stop Him from ministering to this woman’s need. He was not concerned about how the Pharisees, Sadducees or Lawyers would view Him. Therefore, when the woman with the alabaster box came to anoint His feet, being a woman with a tarnished reputation, Jesus knowing full well that it was unlawful for her to touch Him, was more concerned about her than He was for His own reputation. He always put others before Himself even on the cross being in pain, agony, aguish, and abandonment, He told the disciple John to take care of His mother.
As believers we must deny ourselves take up our cross of selflessness and follow Jesus. How can we do this; by doing what Jesus did, living our lives to please God in every way. Forgetting about ourselves and ministering to the needs of the saints.
There are so many practical ways believers can encourage one another. When the Lord puts someone on your heart pray for them and tell them you prayed. You can do thoughtful and kind things for your brothers and sisters. You can let them know that you love them and that you are there for them.
As we continue to grow in grace and in the knowledge of God we must take the responsibility of encouraging believers to walk in fellowship with the Lord and with each other in love, joy, peace and The Holy Ghost.
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