ENCOURAGEMENT – A DYING ART? – Rodney Francis
NOTE: A great word from the founder of the ‘Barnabus Bulletin’ ministry on the internet.
As we enter our 12th year of “Barnabas Bulletin”, I would like to focus on the purpose as to why this BB Ministry was started. It came as a result of my ministering in Asia amongst a group of discouraged ministers and missionaries from eight different countries. That experience gave me a burden for Christian Leaders, as I have observed over the years how many get discouraged in their calling…
The burden did not leave me, and then God spoke to me in England,
told me to encourage them, and gave me the name “Barnabas Bulletin”.
The name “Barnabas” means “son of prophecy; son of consolation.”
“Consolation” means “a person or thing that is a source of comfort
in a time of suffering, grief, disappointment, etc.” (Collins Dictionary).
The Bible describes him as: “. . .they sent out Barnabas to go as
far as to Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God,
he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart
they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of
the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added
to the Lord” (Acts 11:22-24). Barnabas was an encourager. He
saw the good and the potential in others and encouraged them
accordingly. The ministry of encouragement is one that every
Christian can function in. Everywhere one looks today people need
encouraging. You need encouraging ~ and I need encouraging!
The word “encourage” means “1. to inspire (someone) with the
courage or confidence (to do something). 2. to stimulate (something
or someone to do something) by approval or help; support” (Collins).
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU ENCOURAGED SOMEBODY?
Tragically it seems that few Christians consciously go out of their
way to encourage others. Why not? Is it because we are looking
for it from others, but don’t realize that we can make the first move
and encourage others? Ask yourself, “When was the last time you
audibly encouraged someone else?” (When was the last time
someone audibly encouraged you?). It certainly does not happen
enough. What a difference it makes when someone comes
alongside and tells you they believe in you, in your calling, and that
God is pleased with you? There is power in your tongue and words
when you speak out positive encouragement to others!
I have been in Christian Ministry for over 50 years. In that time I
have seen scores of men and women rise up with a great call of
God on their lives and they begin to do exploits for Jesus. But after
a time they “disappear” and are never heard of again. What
happened? Discouragement got to them and caused them to doubt
the call of God. The resulting decisions made in those times of
discouragement brought about things that “robbed” them of the call
of God on their lives. If only there were those who could discern
what was happening and could have gotten alongside of them with
words of encouragement, then God’s called men and women
would not have “fallen by the wayside” in to a normal, but
unfulfilling life-style. I say this because there is nothing more
wonderful than to know the call and will of God ~ and to be walking in it.
May we all make a conscious effort to be more aware of the
importance of the ministry of encouragement. Yes, encouraging
others is an important and vital ministry ~ much more than we
realize! As the world continues to reject the risen Christ Jesus and
spirals on it downwards path, Christians everywhere will need to be
more and more encouraged to “stand firm in the faith” and not to be
side-tracked by the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil
(1 John 2:15-17). Make no mistake about it: we are in a war, and
the battle is raging! That means the ministry of encouragement is
urgently needed to be spoken out to others. It needs an audible
voice. It needs more than a silent prayer! It needs you and me to
be aware of situations that people are in, and to come alongside
and speak out the words of encouragement they need to hear! You
can do that! I can do that!
Be encouraged to look for opportunities ~ more opportunities ~ to
encourage others in these days. Your encouragement is
desperately needed! Your encouragement may be a matter of life
or death for some! You will be amazed at what your words of
encouragement to others will accomplish. So don’t hold back. As
you encourage others, you will also be encouraged yourself! Right
now you and I do not know whether our next word of
encouragement for someone may prove to be a divine encounter
that will change the rest of their lives for God and for good! Do not
hold back!
Visit Rodney’s ‘Barnabus Bulletin’ website- http://www.gospel.org.nz/
I agree encouragement is critical and greatly needed.
The web can be a powerful tool to facilitate this.
The JBTV forum was such a place of encouragement for many.
Can we consider again a forum for encouragement?
We may need to change the rules to eliminate contentious strife from some…
Surely this is not too hard to do?
Blessings,
Carl Emerson.
Sadly, my friend
I have found it impossible to do.
Have tried a number of times now.
-Andrew
It is difficult to give sincere encouragement due to the fact that many people are suspicious of anyone trying to do so. Others often see those giving encouragement as ‘brown-nosing’ or worse. I know because it’s happened to me.
Give it a try, but there seem to be so many differing opinions and many set in concrete!
Where i fellowship there is certainly no lack of encouragement..
If you have a difficulty, or know some one who has, please feel free to look it up here:
http://www.ourgodanswers,com
You will find wonderful, inspiring, encouraging testimony with no pack drill.
Hopefuly tears of despair will turn to tears of joy . “They overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony”
Pr Michael
Oops sorry a comma instead of period!
http://www.ourgodanswers.com
This is an awesome word…..I do think that there is a lot to why people leave their calling….the enemy fights us, we get tired. Leaders by nature, at least in the organized church setting, are often isolated from the very people who might bring them hope and encouragement. When I get really down, I ask the Lord to encourage me, and He usually does. I have had a handful of times when people have spoken encouragement to me, sometimes even in the form of a very sincerely spoken *How are you, REALLY?*, but most of the time it is the Lord who brings that to my life. I will really be looking for ways to be an encourager in the days ahead. If I need it, so likely do others, as this person has so aptly said.
About 14 years ago I joined a small church in Australia, having been a Christian for a number of years before I did so. I was filled with a passion for the LORD and SO much wanted to see everyone be on fire for Him, as I was. One day a short time after I joined, a woman, the wife of one of the elders there exclaimed, “She should be called Barnabas!” I felt the LORD was speaking to me through her, and knowing who and what he was, I felt humbled that someone should even begin to see some sort of likeness. It was to me a prophetic word.
Since that day I have given myself completely to encouraging and strengthening those who are seeking God, whether as Christians or those who want to change their lives. I feel so lifted up and encouraged myself in doing so, and it is a precious, wonderful feeling knowing that I have helped another on their (mostly) difficult pathway to everlasting life. It is an AWESOME privilege and honor to be a living signpost pointing to the One who IS able to save, and to bring the Word of God to bear in situations that people can’t cope with, to encourage and to bring life and light where there is fear and chaos, discouragement and hopelessness. By encouraging others, and pointing to Jesus, we are strengthened in OUR walk with Him! I can save nobody! – but I DO know the One who can, and He is the One whose touch it is that heals, restores, binds up and brings peace and joy. If we were to point all those around us to Him alone, and to lift up His name in our midst continually, the things of this life would become strangely dim in the light of HIS glory and grace!
Excellent article! Right on the mark! Our calling is a high and holy calling– and a very difficult one. We need to be encouraging one another.
“Love the brotherhood” (1 Pt. 2.17).
Through research, i recently found out my maiden name ‘Barna’ is derived from ‘Barnabas’. Wow! what a revelation!!! i have been told several times that i am an encourager… now i find out it’s a genetic trait??? how cool is that???? I cannot wait to share this with others in my family. Thank You Andrew for posting this… and Thank You, Father God, for this personality trait! Keep up the GOD Work, Andrew, You’re doing an excellent job!
From 1973, when I began to walk with Jesus, I have seen very little of this gift in operation. The spirit of criticism is more frequently encountered. There are all kinds of “fruit inspectors,” but very few willing to water (or to give a cup of cool water).
Many want to be teachers and leaders, but few are willing to lift others up instead of themselves. I have heard ‘elders’ justify this by explaining they don’t want to say things that will cause others to become prideful, or that saying something nice will cause the recipient to “get the wrong idea.” This justification for not giving encouragement when it is needed shows a lack of maturity, wisdom, understanding and spiritual insight. To the young Christian or the one who is hurting, it causes spiritual dehydration. The rare commodity of encouragement has gone the way of the five-fold ministry.
It is true that the internet, and sites like this one are a vehicle for bringing encouragement back. Still, being willing to be used of God in this area is the first step. It requires true humility and sincere love.
Barnabas means comforter.The true comforter is the Holy Spirit.
To comfort one another is good but if we need the comfort of others to stay on track then we do not have the true comforter.Those who fall away do not have the Holy Spirit.
Jesus needed no comfort from others to stay on track and complete his mission.
Those without the Spirit of God are not appointed by God and should not be ministering in any capacity.
I so agree with this timely word. I see people everyday on the job that need encouragement. I do what I can while I work and often just being kind and considerate will do wonders, especially if a smile is with it..
The encourager, a gift of mercies, how wonderful and interesting to see this gift manifest in character of an individual. Short story here, of the encourager meeting with a prophet involved within rebuke that was needed, and dutifully the mercies immediately throttling the abusive individual (prophet).
We are in the end days, recently I listened to a preacher teaching of the “Miss Downer”, quite evidently someone interfering with the spiritual serenity of church or world, and he apparently believing the church or world needs instead “Miss Upper” for continued serenity.
Let me not be a ‘downer’ here, but the Lord has given different gifts as needed to filfill different purpose, and hopefully among them are those resembling the sentry upon the wall, those wise in the Lord that can discern the signs of the times giving appropiate warning if and as needed.
I just last week received a holy kiss from an individual of such lowly, humble, and most gloriest spirit with the Lord, that it is yet fresh in my heart today. Recieve the gift God gives, and do as it’s purpose is to fulfill, the entire bible gives good teaching in this.
Shalom I meant to put this in the video with 14 million hits but that seems to be having some problems so I will place it here and later paste it to the other site when it is up and running again.
Firstly, we are told in scripture to be very careful concerning what we are told by spirits pretending to be the Spirit of Christ / the Holy Spirit and it is here that many of us make our greatest errors. We seem to have been taught that any spiritual information given to us by someone calling themselves a Christian must automatically be from God’s Spirit, especially if we have some powerful or pleasant emotions that come along with that message or if that message runs in line with what it is we are really desiring of, sometimes we may even get goose-bumps or tingles or a nice warm feeling inside and we can take that as meaning it must be coming from our God who is love. However the Bible tells us we must test “All Things”, meaning that this pretence of spirits is not an isolated incident, in fact to test “All Things” hints rather strongly that these events are common and regular among believers. We see this in 1st John 4:1: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” When God tells us to check all things; this is Him telling us, “Be Careful!” When He tells us of false prophets and hirelings who wish to deceive us into believing a lie painted as the truth, this is Him telling us “Be Careful!” When He tells us of a powerful being who is prowling around like a lion looking for whomsoever he may devour, this is not our wonderfully caring LORD telling us to now go skipping blindfolded and naked through the eerily dark woods ahead singing ‘La-Lala-Lala”. No! This is Him telling us to be very; very careful about what it is we are being taught and what it is we believe the Spirit of God is telling us and that in order to stay safe, we need to test all things with the Word of God. The Bible, for want of a better expression, is God’s great compass! So many of us sit around waiting for our daily dose of ‘that still, small voice’ we believe to be God and yet hearing God is so much simpler than that. When we want to talk to God we call that prayer, when we want God to talk back to us, we call that studying the Word. God talks mostly through what He has already written down. The mystical is a rare occurrence, even in the Bible, and it usually has something to do with the Big Picture of Salvation of Humankind, it is rarely indidualised. So, let’s look at another of these passages warning us to be careful: “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove ALL things; hold fast that which is good.” (1st Thessalonians 5:15-21); the NIV says it this way: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test EVERYTHING. Hold on to the good.” Now this is telling us quite plainly to ‘Prove ALL things’, or ‘Test EVERYTHING’, which surely includes whatever we are being taught from pulpits or whatever we think God is personally telling us about directions in our daily life or walk with Him. And more even than this, a brother or sister is not to be put down or ridiculed for obeying this command to test all things with the Word of God, they are not to be told they are being ‘too rigid’ or that they are being ‘legalistic’ and they are certainly not to be passed off as some sort of ‘worry-wart’, ‘doubting their belief and believing their doubts’ as some glibly put it today. In fact, according to scripture, these more careful brothers and sisters are to be highly commended for such diligence of study and concern for both the church and the truth on which it is to be founded.
Here I will tell you a story that may help. I listened one day to a sermon where the pastor told of a believing lady who had lost both unbelieving sons to suicide. The lady, understandably distraught beyond belief, asked the pastor straight out if her boys were now in hell. Now, I understand the pressure to buckle under such an emotional strain, and I have been put in this predicament once before myself. The choices are do I tell the woman the truth and break her heart further or do I ‘spare’ her feelings and tell her a lie that she may well pass off onto others and lead a whole pack of people into hell? This pastor told the woman that he would pray about it and get back to her and when he returned to tell her what God had said he obviously buckled. He told her that the Holy Spirit had told him in no uncertain terms that both her sons were now in heaven waiting for her. The bottom line is this man either lied or was lied to by some spirit pretending to be the Holy Spirit because what this spirit said contradicted what the Holy Spirit has deliberately trapped upon the pages of the Bible for all time to be believed by all who follow Jesus Christ. The only real information we have concerning suicide in the Bible is what happened to Judas and it is not a story where anyone could glean the message that a suicide ends up in heaven. (In fact Judas is the greatest New Testament example we have of the coming Anti-Christ, just as Delilah is the most informative Old Testament example we have of the coming Man of Perdition, Delilah is a twofold example as she also typifies the spirit of Jezebel/false religion – But now I am digressing). What I am saying is it is impossible for the Holy Spirit to contradict Himself. I have met people who tell me God told them to do all kinds of things that cannot be from God because it is spoken against in the Bible. I myself used to believe that a divorced man such as I could seek remarriage with a Christian woman until I was challenged on the subject to the point that I went and read everything on the separate topics of divorce & remarriage in the Bible only to find that the remarriage of a divorced man is seen by God as an act of adultery unless the previous spouse has passed on. I was shocked to discover that outside of this there is absolutely no other reason given whereby a divorced man can be remarried, and more than this, if I ignore this and go ahead and get remarried, I will be dragging that other person into my sin, making her an adulteress in the eyes of God into the bargain. And I am sure I don’t have to tell you how miserable it can be being all alone year in and year out, but this is what the Bible teaches and God can, and does, give me the strength in order to daily walk in this teaching. The majority of the church may teach the diametric opposite to this but they are teaching against the commands of God written down in the Bible and that is a very dangerous thing to do. I am sure you can also guess just how thrilled I was to learn all of that, as well as learning that all of those nice, warm fuzzy messages I believed I had received from God telling me that as a ‘New Creation’ I was also to be given a second chance at marriage to a nice Christian woman this time around et al. However it was one of the first lessons I learned about testing the spirits, including testing the spirits that told all the people who told me remarriage was fine in the eyes of the Lord if my spouse is still alive and kicking. In fact, the whole marriage teachings are tied into our spiritual understanding of the Trinity and to distort one is to end up distorting the other – hence all the confusion out there in ‘Christendom’ today over proper and improper doctrine.
Lots of love,
Anthony.
Each and everyone among the chosen by grace through Christ have a work predestined, and for this are given a gift as needed, in this having power and authority. Apostle Paul considered his gift or work as one of the least, I believe if least in fact, is today least understood.
Perhaps as important (or more) of both our gift and predestined works, is need to become mature in the Lord.
Satan also has a works, in the end days warned for good reason, he as his servants will appear as an angel of light, in this leading even the elect astray if possible.
John14:15-18,
15: If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16: And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17: Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18: I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
God’s gifts are \holy Spirit gifts,they come when we receive the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit is only given to those who keep the commands of Jesus Christ.
No wonder so many Christians need others to comfort them so much.They lack the Holy Spirit and have no gifts.
If they think they do they are part of the strong delusion.
Encouragement is a privilege, we should never forsake it, it is of God and pleases God. Even the hardest of people need encouragement. I believe there is a connection between honouring our parents and becoming the people we were created to be; between esteeming others more highly than ourselves, and walking closely with the Lord. There are some things we should do to the death. Encouragement and forgiveness are just two. WHen we know (live) these truths, we are free, in Christ. I never gave up on honouring people, even though I was dishonoured, humiliated, neglected and smashed for many years growing up. You are the light of the world. It follows then that this is how we shall live. The world needs encouragement, and the world needs to hear the truth. Children need encouragement. Many adults are just like children. They need to see evidence of wholeness. They need a spark of hope, the seed of truth and the love of God.
Dear Andrew, forgive me for this late post. THe previous post on “Why I hate Religion …” only went for 2 days? My response to the video:
Tragically, the ill fated attempt to interpret religion and in the midst thereof to flippantly throw in the Gospel, has polluted or diluted the Gospel. THe throw away lines and the vines that entangle us in superficial christianity, has only served to breed mediocrity, among the saints, there is one who paints, broad and generalised strokes, to all the unsuspecting folkes, who grab hold of slogans and shallow cliche, just so they can hear us say touche, what a brilliant delivery, we yield to our proclivity, the desire for adrenaline activity, that sounds good, in the hood, of christian insensitivity. A rhyme and a line, that sounds just fine, until we unpack it all and realise our own propensity, for junk food intensity, something we call spirituality at the cost of reality. Passion is good, if the thesis is focused, not subscribe to chic theological hocus pocus. Sadly, we are stuck on entertainment for our food and our raiment, one day will find us completely naked because our pride stopped us from trying to fake it. Wake up Church, stop playing the game and chasing the fame. Loose your life and you will find it, use your brain and you will touch the hearts of people. We will account for every word spoken, our every action is not a token.
Bless the young man for his morsel. He deserves an intelligent dialogue based on Christian Worldview and sound apologetics.
I am saddened by the words of Derek Hale, who says, “No wonder so many Christians need others to comfort them so much.They lack the Holy Spirit and have no gifts. If they think they do they are part of the strong delusion.” May I point out to him that although Jesus Himself needed no encouragement from man (but He went to His Father on many occasions including the time when He heard about John the Baptist’s death!) – He offered and gave encouragement continually to those around Him. Encouragement is not necessarily a “pat on the back” but a word or deed that STRENGTHENS the weaker brethren. And there are many who have little strength. The name “Barnabas” means Son of Encouragement – not “Comforter”. There is a subtle difference. Encouragement means to strengthen, to embolden, to give heart. Comfort means to bring relief. There are many examples of men in the Scriptures giving and receiving encouragement from others. King Hezekiah was a “Barnabas”, Nehemiah……we ourselves are encouraged by these men, David not the least, and by their words.
COMFORT COMES FROM ENCOURAGEMENT!
I would ask my friend to meditate on the very purpose of the Epistles. Are they not in their very nature, words of encouragement from the writers? Are they not, by their very content, intended to build up the church of Jesus Christ? Isn’t encouragement meant by it’s very meaning meant to BUILD UP and STRENGTHEN the body of Christ?
I would suggest to those who think that encouragement given by the brethren is not of God to read the following scriptures very carefully:
Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall go in there. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it. (Deut.1:38)
But command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see.’ (Deut.3:28)
Then David said to the messenger, “Thus you shall say to Joab: ‘Do not let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another. Strengthen your attack against the city, and overthrow it.’ So encourage him.” (2 Sam.11:25)
Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, “Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Please, let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement.” (2 Kings 22:13)
And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus (Acts 4:36)
When he [Barnabas] came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. (Acts 11:23)
When they [the Apostles] had read it [the letter], they rejoiced over its encouragement. (read Acts 15:22-31 in context)
So they [Paul & Silas] went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.(Acts 16:40)
Now when he [Paul] had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece (Acts 20:1-2)
….that I [Paul] may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. (Rom.1:12)
For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.(1 Cor.14:31)
But I [Paul} trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. (Phil.2:19) - Paul SEEKING encouragement himself!
...that their [the Laodiceans] hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ. (Read Col.2:1-3) – and wasn’t the Laodicean church in a mess and in NEED of Godly encouragement and correction from the Apostles?
…..and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith. (1 Thes.3:2)
I believe that the Whole of Scripture is for our Encouragement…..the accounts of those who have been before us and have overcome. Even in Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3 are written for the encouragement of the churches to change those things that God sees are in need of changing for good. It is written to the churches to strengthen them to become overcomers……..just as I believe we are to do to and for each other today…..in the same love and with the same grace that God has done this for us.
There are many times in my own (mostly pretty solitary) walk with the Lord that God has sent brethren into my life to encourage me. Even through a written word of encouragement in a devotional, or a book…or through the love and concern of someone who has seen my need of that very encouragement at that time. Learning to receive that blessing can only come from humility, never from pride – “I don’t NEED your help!”
The body of Christ is ALL in need of encouragement in this rapidly darkening world that is overflowing with negativity and evil. I urge and encourage ALL who have taken the time to read this to CLING to the LORD, and to set their faces like flint towards the finish of this race that has been set before us. Trust in the LORD with ALL of your hearts, lean not on your own understanding. In ALL of your ways acknowledge Him, and He WILL direct your paths (See Prov.3:5-6)
If I see my brother crippled or fallen by the wayside, will I walk around him without lifting him up and helping and strengthening him?…..what would he do for me?…. will I feed and clothe His sheep, or let them remain cold and starving to die? (Read Matt.25) Will I be an encourager or a critic…..? I pray that God will give ME the courage and strength, wisdom and understanding to help and encourage ANY in need of such love, mercy and compassion, just as He has done for me.
Yes, we do need to be encouraged to keep pressing on when the going gets tough, which Jesus promised would happen. He spoke of trials and tribulation, even persecution for those who would follow Him uncompromisingly. Often and sadly, people will not be the ones encouraging, but rather the Holy Spirit only.
———————————————————————————
Thank you, Jordan Shepherd.
We do NOT need a popular view on religion, presented in a cool and hip, ear-tickling fashion! What we need is the TRUE, life-saving Gospel!
Most churches in the west today are far from religious anyway. People don’t worry about dress code or owning a Bible anymore. And while they listen to a cool, entertaining band performance or a funny, joke-cracking guest-speaker, they enjoy a cup of Starbucks. Hmmm…
Shouldn’t the following scare us…., and
do we realize that it’s about life and death…?
JESUS: “Not everyone who will say on that day, ‘Lord, Lord…’
We must share the ONE, TRUE, Gospel, without any “leaven” lest we become guilty!
Yes Andrew, we must not overlook His grace.
But grace without repentance FIRST turns Jesus into a “buddy” and God into an eternal vending machine where we throw in a little prayer and out comes the blessing.
Again, please watch this. You won’t regret it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEUPcK6hi4s
Blessings, and All 4 Jesus!
Mario
You do not rebuke the work of a 5 year old as strongly as a 50 year old.
Thank you, Andrew, for posting this article. It is a Biblical admonition which the Church needs today.
God gives to His children many graces and blessings in many forms. One of those gifts of grace is encouragement to others.
The Bible bears witness to this throughout Its pages.
God told Moses to encourage Joshua as God was preparing him to take over the leadership of the nation of Israel (Deut. 1:38; 3:28).
The same Hebrew word is used in 1 Samuel 23:16 where it describes Jonathan encouraging his friend, David, in the Lord (NLT, NASB).
We see King Josiah encouraging the priests in 2 Chronicles 35:2.
In Ezra 1:6, we find God’s people encouraging the artisans rebuilding the temple by giving them donations of material items so they could do the work God had called them to. We also find the King of Assyria encouraging the remnant in their rebuilding of the temple (Ezra 6:22).
Proverbs 12:25 exhorts us to encourage when it says, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad.” We see a further exhortation to encourage one another in Isaiah 35:3, 4.
In the New Testament we find Christ telling His disciples that He and the Father would send another Comforter – the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for “Comforter” here is the noun “paraklētos.” The verb form is “parakaleō” and is used numerous times in the New Testament. We see it used in Acts 11:23 where Barnabas is encouraging fellow believers in their faith;
- In Acts 14:22 where Paul and Barnabas encouraged the disciples of the new churches in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch;
- In Acts 16:40 where Paul and Barnabas, newly released from prison, encouraged the believers of the newly formed Philippians church;
- In Acts 20:1, 2 where Paul encourages the new believers in Ephesus;
- In Romans 12:8 where we find that some in the Church are given a special ministry of encouragement by God;
- 1 Corinthians 14:31 reveals that the exercising of the gift of prophecy can encourage believers;
- 2 Corinthians 1:4 – 6 informs us that God comforts and encourages us so that we can comfort and encourage others who face the same problems and difficulties which we have faced;
- In 2 Corinthians 2:7 where we find Paul instructing the Church to now encourage the one who had come successfully through the Church’s discipline;
- In 2 Corinthians 7:5 – 7 where Paul tells how Titus encouraged him and his ministry team in the midst of trials, not only by his presence, but also by sharing the encouragement the Corinthian Church had given to Titus
- Ephesians 6:22 where Paul sent Tychicus to the Ephesian Church to bring comfort and encouragement to them;
- We further find Paul using this word numerous times throughout the rest of his epistles (1 Thessalonians 2:11; 3:2, 7; 4:1, 10, 18; 5:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:17; 1 Timothy 1:3; 2:1; 5:1; 6:2; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 2:6; Hebrew 3:13; 10:25; 13:19, 22
- Peter also uses the word in 1 Peter 2:11; 5:1, 12
- As does Jude in Jude 1:3
Our God loves us so much that He gave us the Holy Spirit, to comfort and encourage us among other things. We are told to be like our Heavenly Father (Matthew 5:48) and encourage one another with the comfort and encouragement we have received from Him (whether directly or through others).
May you be encouraged, brothers and sisters, and encourage one another.
God bless,
Wayne
The Holy Spirit is given to those who keep the commandments.
John14:15-18,
15: If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16: And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17: Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18: I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Man’s encouragement/comfort is of little value without the powerful force of the Holy Spirit.
Those who do not keep the commandments will always fall away,it is inevitable without God’s Spirit.No amount of encouragement from men can prevent it.It is God’s will that those without the Holy Spirit will not last..
Someone on the thread with the young man’s video said, “don’t ever post something ‘creative” on this site…”
I have put over 20 music videos on You Tube. I added some text-slides with outreach message to my music.
Here is one. Hope you find it creative:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPK6KShjzW4
(I called my latest one: “Watch for crocodiles on your way to Heaven”.)
Michelle, do you believe a young man in North-America would go to a religious church with all kinds of rules and regulations? Do you also think that he came up with this idea all by himself? Would be interesting to find out if he had any help and input from others.
Blessings, and All 4 Jesus!
Mario
Forgot to encourage all of you to keep going on the path to life!
Let not the little differences in our views discourage you!
As long as we hold on to the One who IS the way, life and truth, Jesus Christ!
Here is another version of the song for those who already believe. Be encouraged!
The Greatest love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPGA7b0sd_s
Blessings, and All 4 Jesus!
Mario
Dear Anthony (AKA Jonah Maghill1), thank you for sharing. I too am lonely since my divorce and life is very hard. I was going to start looking for a suitable believing husband but did not know the scriptures well enough to see if I could re-marry. I asked my Pastor and his wife, and they said it was gine – that a loving God would want me to be happy and have a loving spouse – but your post makes it clear that in my situation it would be wrong. Thank you for keeping me from wanting to sin. Holiness is so important in these last days. And our light affliction is only as a moment in the light of eternity – even though life seems very heavy going bearing the burdens alone. Thank you brother and may the Lord bless you richly. June
Mario,
Your last post is right on. If nothing shall separate us from the love of God, then nothing should separate us from the love of one another. This I hold to be a standard of God and thus want it to be manifest in me.
The woman at the well, when Yeshua was TEACHING her of living water, just did not get it, and was looking for some material things which he did not possess to draw water. Though she did not get his DOCTRINE at the time, he told her of her past and that is all it took.
She then went out and said, Come see a man that told me all I ever done, and then said is not this the Christ?
Only Christ can discern the heart and mind and reads the history of the soul as an open book.
The GIFT of God is eternal life, that is mine and I just ask Him to manifest this in every cell of my being.
We are called to be peacemakers and not peacekeepers.Peacekeepers keep quiet about sinful situations for fear of rocking the boat but peacemakers will speak the truth in love even if it might upset the person.It is always good to have Jesus as our example tho.Tho He had something against some of the 7 churches in Revelation He started with an encouragement before the rebuke.
I want to commend the Anthony for speaking the truth about marriage being a life long covenant and for not getting re-married whilst his wife is still alive.It is a difficult call I know as I have been on my own now for 16 years.I have been standing for the ressurection of my marriage and I will not give up because God will restore it for His Glory and in His time.I,also, would like to commend June for wanting to do what is right even tho the cost is great.John the Baptist Spoke to Herod telling him it was not lawful for him to have Herodious,Phillips wife.You can find this in Matt 14:1-12.Because John the Baptist spoke the truth it cost him his head.I believe God wants to heal and restore marriages for His Glory If we ask and keep believing.
Divorce and re-marriage whilst there is a pre-existing spouse is a trogan horse in the churches these days and is rampant.I believe this sin will shut many,even highly respected Christian leaders,out of heaven unless they repent and leave those adulterous re-marriages.Many use the so called exception clause in Matt 5:31,32 and Matt 19:9 to justify re-marriage but they should read these verses from the King James version because Jesus in not talking about getting a divorce and re-marrying because of adultery but He is talking about ending a jewish betrothal because of fornication.
The widespead misinterpretation of this verse has contributated more to the family breakdown that any other verse in the Bible.So my cry is for God to expose this insidious trojan horse in the churches and once again lift up His standard of Holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
God bless you all and keep looking up for our redemption draws near.
Michael
In all things we need to be led by the Holy Spirit, and this includes in comforting and encouraging others. If not, then it becomes our own works. Sometimes the Lord is bringing that other person through a time of trial and testing that we should not interfere with right then and there. Then our encouragement would become something that I would call unsanctified mercy. But on the other side of the coin, I do believe that the Holy Spirit in us does and will comfort and encourage through us, as He sees fit and in His timing.
There will be more and more messages in the coming years about the Church failure and emphasis on a biblical Church pattern for NT times. I encourage all to seek the wisdom of God as they venture into this area because what is happening now is that people are beginning to realise that the thing we call Church is not biblical in many respects, and this sadly causes many to stumble. For example, clergy and laity distinction, biblical leadership, real fellowship and real discipleship. Distinguishing between what activities nurture making disciples (obedience to God), those activities for equipping the saints for the work of ministry (Sunday preaching??) and those that are purely social, beneficial as they may be. Making the links is vital, otherwise you get swept up in all the “Church” activities, your children have grown up and you are left with fundamental questions about your faith.
I now see that some “ministers” are waking up and beginning to sprout their new found revelations, but many are also just beginning to understand. I encourage you to wade through it all, weigh it up against the Scriptures and against your own life. Be prepared to ask yourself some tough questions and make some solid decisions. We will all be unpacking and scrutinizing whether the things we do are merely traditional, man made, and are counter to God’s plan (e.g. fulfilling your responsibilities, not just looking for a “calling”) for our lives, or whether in fact they are things that will bear fruit.
Last week, I asked a 15 year old Christian boy, who lacks proper respect for his parents, but esteems his “Church youth leader,” this question: Who is your youth leader? When he gave me the answer ( a man titled with this position at his local Church), I asked him the same question two more times. He was bewildered and asked me what I meant. So, I told him that his youth leaders are his mother and father. I told him that the youth worker at Church spends two hours per week with him (and others, doing fun activities and some Scripture), while his parents spend a great deal of time with him, so they are in fact his leaders. I told the parents this and encouraged them by saying they are youth ministers in their Church, responsible for their 4 children. They have a youth ministry! Not just a title, but taking responsibility to get the work of discipling and raising children done. Not alone, but by encouragement, support, resources and the grace and empowerment of God.
We will need to challenge what we have been doing in our Churches since we know that many fall away from the Lord, the youth not the least among them. THis should encourage us as we know God will answer our our prayers for guidance and direction so we can know we are serving and pleasing Him. Time is short, let us redeem it. Many CHurches are filled with great numbers of people, having the appearance of success, with all manner of activities and programs designed for people participation. Of those, I ask: How many of you have discipled someone, and then seen that someone in turn disciple another person? Surprisingly, not many? Then I ask myself, am I discipling, or even encouraging anyone in the Lord, regularly. Look first at your own family, then further afield.
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Thank you Mario. THe video you recommend, I know and have shown the whole series (Way of the Master) to Christians gathered at my work place. I look forward to seeing videos you have put together.
What I find tragic is that very few Christians are even familiar with Ray Comfort and his book, “Hell’s Best Kept Secret”. This book should have been a mandatory part of the Christian curriculum, or the Christian diet, or at the very least teaching from the pulpit, from the 1990′s. Instead, we all know what happened: apostles, prophets, manifestations, say no more. Know this, the most neglected ministry in the CHurch is that of the person who equips people for evangelism. This ministry has been isolated from the flock, relegated to the role of outreach activities, while other ministries have taken prominant position, to the detriment of Christians all over. If this ministry were given its proper place within the local fellowship, many people would have faced many fiery furnaces, coming out like pure gold, instead – lukewarm Church and Christians. I can’t even blame satan for that. “Leaders” apparently did not forsee the equitable share of the five-fold ministry for that role. I encourage all to take a look at this material and get back to the basics of sharing their faith. It will be fulfilling, exciting, challenging and adventurous. Not just because you will develop courage and confidence (part of what it means to equip) to share your faith; that is just the beginning. But because you yourself will be encouraged to live out the truth before others. Yes, this journey of sharing our faith will cause us to arise from our hypocrisy (acting/focussing attention on self) and focus more on what God wants. And what does God want from us? To live a life that pleases Him.
Without faith it is impossible to please God. Sometimes people need your faith testimony to encourage them. I would personally like to see more testimonies interspersed with the teacher up front on the pulipt, maybe get down away from the pulpit and be in tune to someone about to share testimony, since rarely do I hear testimony (faith encouragement) mixed into the teaching segment of what we call Church service. The word mixed with faith! SOunds like a new idea, only because it is has been neglected. Another question I ask after the saints gather: Have the people been strengthened, encouraged and comforted(1 Corinthians 14)? Or did they hear some kind of sermon they could not relate to, or even interact with (freedom to ask questions – to dialogue, so as to strengthen their understanding of Scripture and the will of God). Questions are good. Jesus’ disciples asked many questions. THis is a biblical way to learn. If in key moments of ministry and teaching (Sunday?), you do not ask questions, or are not encouraged to do so, you have to wonder exactly how you are aligning your understanding of Scripture with a biblical worldview. Cheers, Jordan.
Thank you for this, Andrew!
It is by far one of your best.
God loves being asked questions.Never mind asking questions of mere mortals,ask God to answer your questions.He will do it directly and guess what,the answers will always be true and relevant to the questions.Got a question? The answers in Scripture,God will direct you to it.The Holy Spirit works like this,ask in the Spirit of truth and your question will be answered.
“Ask and it will be given to you”.Jesus was not talking about asking church leaders.
The NEED for encouragement
Why do we need encouragement in the first place? It is simple. As a true follower of Christ we have come face to face with our evil pride, our filthy flesh and our brokenness before Him.
This, combined with the Lord’s call to be humble, often leads to thoughts of doubts creeping in. We simply don’t trust that we can become the way He wants us to be. When we are “young” in Him, we still struggle to hear and know His voice. Our faith is rather shaky and our understanding often is wrong. We think, and perhaps have been taught, that we need to roll up our sleeves and work at pleasing God. Many Biblical leaders took matters into their own hands (see Moses, Peter etc.).
Instead of just focusing on Jesus in total surrender we try to do many things in our own strength only to find ourselves failing or falling short. Because of our western culture of “hard work brings results”, we often fall into the trap of ‘Marthaism’.
Martha was trying to be hospitable, working up a storm in the kitchen to serve Jesus, and yet it was Mary, just sitting at His feet, who chose the right thing. (Lk.10)
Our work, which is vitally important as faith without works is dead, unless inspired, empowered and guided by Him through His Holy Spirit, only serves to make us proud and self-sufficient again. When He does it all in and through us, He alone gets the glory and we get to have peace with God and treasure in Heaven.
Just like Mary, it is in His presence where we find peace, strength and fulfilment.
There are two HUGE problems in the church. First, people are almost never taught about the internal war every believer will face. Instead, when they accept Christ they think that all of their problems are gone now when, in reality, the battle has just begun:
“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would”. (Gal.5:17)
The second problem is that most Christians never learn about the devil and his schemes. However, he is just as real as Jesus, and his aim and goal is to, “make war against those who have the testimony of Christ” (see Rev.12).
The Apostle Peter clearly warned to, “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”(1Pet.5:8).
Of course, seeing that satan is merely a copy-cat, he does what God does by mostly using people. Many believers have faced discouragement through others, including family and friends. “Who do you think you are to become a missionary?” “How can you quit your job and write a book. God would never have told you.” Reading about Job in the Bible, his ‘friends’ are a prime example of discouragement.
From time to time all Christians will need a good dose of encouragement to stay the course, no matter what. Some, who are chosen to have a strong and constant line of communication with Jesus through His Holy Spirit, will find most of their encouragement through that. However, even Martin Luther, Job and many others faced a strong battle with thoughts of doubts. It is a blessing when in such times of demonic torment a good friend comes alongside and brings encouragement.
I believe that the Holy Spirit purposely does not always provide encouragement, saying:
“Have I not chosen for you to love one another?”
May the Lord Jesus bless you all, as you long for His presence!
All 4 Jesus!
Mario
Roses have thorns, but we should never forget the blossoms, even when we see none. The encourager remembers and believes that the rose bush is destined to flower. Some encouragment (in the way of fertilizer and water) will cause it to fulfill its purpose, and happily!! :)
An encourager has the gift of “seeing those things which are not as though they were” and then speaking it into being.
Good thoughts, Kade! And others too!
Bless you,
Andrew
I believe what some are saying about first need of the Holy Spirit, and that all graces or gifts without love accomplish little or none of Gods purpose, has an ocean of meaning.
As in a time for all things, the discipline of God is done with love, and here the recipient needs understand to learn what true love is. Of the many forms of love, agape love is very difficult for even the most mature in the Lord.
Thank you June – What an encouragement you are to me today of all days, I have been so low inside for the past week or so and your message is such a blessing, thank you also to Michael for the same – we are both at year 16 in this, and the Lord does provide the strength day by day. Derek talks about those needing encouraement from brothers or sisters do not have the Holy Spirit and I don’t really understand where is might be coming from. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, He indwells the children of God, why is it not possible for HIm to comfort God’s children by using the vessels He is indwelling??? I have no need for Man\s pats on the back, but when I am comforted, as I have been by Michael and June, I take it that God is comforting me through the indwelling of the comforting Spirit residing within this dear brother and sister. Shalom to you all.
Mario, you have expanded beautifully on the purpose of encouragement and the lack of teaching concerning the internal spiritual struggles all Christians face. I wonder: If a Christian seems to require no encouragement, could this be a matter of pride, or could they be living out a facade because of lack of teaching. The purpose of meeting together is strengthening, encouraging and comforting (1 Corinthinas 14).
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Derek, you highlight an important point – Ask God the questions. When God gives the answer, it is permanent and settled. In the interim, encouragement from a believer, takes many forms – fellowship, prayer, quality time, conversation, counsel. Ultimately, we should seek answers from God. Church leaders, and I speak of biblical elders here, will lead, feed and be an example to the flock. This should provide encouragement for those seeking clarification of understanding in the Scriptures, or the application of such to daily living. Since we live in the era of the priesthood of all believers, it’s not rocket science to conclude that godly friends will at times provide much needed encouragement, which untimately should bring us closer to the Lord. You are correct when you imply, Lood to the Lord for your Answers. Since we are a community, however, the answers we get will reconcile with other believer’understanding, confirming we are on track in the things of God. For the record, I am not a church leader, nor do I have an title within the modern Church structure. God bless.
I have been encouraged by your website and replies that are short and thought provoking for many years! I It has given me the ignition that kindels the flame to burn hotter! I must be on fire! Child like! Biblicale guidence is needed in these times! If I don’t do it. who will? HIS Grace is sufficent enough!
GOD Bless!
db
Hardly a day passes that I don’t encounter someone that needs encouragement, and often they are strangers. If we look & listen, such opportunities show up at the grocery store, the mall, the gas station and EVEN at church or Bible studies. This world is blanketed with hurt, and hurting people. Sometimes those with the most bravado or vitriol are the worst of the hurting.
It has been my experience, after conversing with these and learning of their struggle, that not one says “no” when I ask them: “May I pray for you?” Not one. It opens the door, too, for further dialogue about God’s love, His plan of salvation & comfort.
If ever a word were needful, “encouragement” is such a one. Far too easy is it to pass on by or be self-righteously removed.
Blessings
Sometimes the heart gets so smitten and withered like grass that it forgets to eat the daily bread of the Lord, that it may be encouraged, as their tears have become their bread.
It is in these times when encouragement from someone else can put ones focus back on the promises of the Lord, whose words are esteemed greater than necessary food because they are life.
If encouragement is coming from the Spirit within us then let it be and be obedient no matter what someone may think or say. If anyone thinks of it as anything but what it truly is, let the Lord deal with them. We need to walk continually in faith and not let what others think sway us from doing what God is calling us to do. We must put on the armor of God and live by the Spirit.
This article is a confirmation of what the Lord has shown me and it’s very encouraging to see first hand that the Holy Spirit is at work in people who have never met!
The Lord has shown me how discouraged pastors are, even if and when they won’t admit it. They can’t hide it from God and if God wants to reveal it to anyone, He can. He gave me an idea about going from church to church each Sunday morning and/or evening with something homemade and a note of love and encouragement for the pastors. And then to pray that week fervently for that pastor to receive it with gladness so that it would trickle down to everyone else there. Then to pray for God’s Spirit to have His way in His people.
It’s true that many people in churches, including pastors and elders, are discouraged. And the young people and children are feeding on whatever they see and hear and soak it all up. There is a lot of confusion within the youth in the churches.
Though my husband and I no longer attend a church organization we do fellowship and have relationships with other believers which is necessary in our walk. But I think about those in the churches who are discouraged, who are going through the motions, who are involved in programs and “ministries” yet they are empty. Some are living secret lives and some hide behind the church’s programs. There’s no life in anything if the Holy Spirit is not present. It’s His power and His might that works in us to do God’s will and His work. We are only a vessel. We are called to submit and yield, die to self, be crucified with Christ. Honestly, I don’t see much of this happening within the Christian community. I see a lot of opinions and preferences being expressed and carried out along with a lot of marketing, advertising and programs appealing to the flesh. This is not the Spirit of God. It’s the spirit of the devil.
Jesus says, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Not only is encouragement needed but so is the truth of the Gospel in the churches and in Christian fellowships everywhere. Too many are and have gone off the path.
Blessings to you and yours as you walk in faith by the power of the Holy Spirit!
Lisa
What I have found about encouragement is that the Lord usually speaks first to my heart, and then will follow that up through multiple ways using different people and sources to confirm that encouragement.
God works through His Spirit, and that includes His Spirit in other believers. Sometimes He’ll even use a non believer to encourage not knowing what they are saying. A song on the radio timed perfectly, a sentence in a conversation that you know God meant just for you. So many ways He is faithful.
Be very careful who you encourage.Psalm 64:5 speaks of the dangers of encouraging those who lay snares for the sheep.
Do you offer encouragement to hirelings? Our lord has much to say about hirelings,those hired by the sheep.
Encouragement like discernment must be applied wisely.
There are a couple of reasons why we don’t get and give so much encouragement.
In the first place, the Bible warns us in Matthew 24:12 that the love of many will grow cold because of lawlessness in the last days. Our Lord Jesus wasn’t talking about unbelievers in these verses, but about believers. If we look at the church today, it’s much about me, myself and I. Getting better, getting rich, important, famous… That causes that we don’t have time or interest in any other person (only when they can benefit us). Encouraging somebody is not in line with the selfish, cold way of life many Christians live in our days!
There’s also another reason I’ve been expierencing. Once launched in the ‘calling’ or ‘ministry’ people think that you don’t need this encouragement anymore. Once I was launched in what I was supposed to do, there was no more encouragement, I was not alowed to say that I was tired, that there were problems etc… Could be that some people also forget to encourage because of envy, jealousy and lack of interest. That’s even worse…
But on the other hand, I can testify, that there’s a few people who have been encouraging me, from the day I was born again till today, almost 20 years later… I’m blessed with them. Their way of life – the way they encouraged me, taught me how to encourage others, and every time I’m able to encourage somebody, I feel privileged and blessed… speaking life in somebody’s situation is a favor!
I understand that passage of scripture to mean that I need to check my own motives of why I encourage another person. Am I hiding something within my own soul for the gain of my own good when doing this?
If so then my speech will turn against me, because it is evil.
If we drink only from our own cistern, we would have nothing to share. However even the scriptures speak that bitter water and sweet water does not come forth from the same stream.
Quite honestly Derek, I have been encouraged by some of what you have shared in the past.
Should I discount this now since you are bringing such hard warnings about encouraging others?
Psa 64:5 They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?
Those who are encouraging themselves are those who are setting the snare.
Then the Psalmist goes on to tell how they lay the snare and what happens to those who do lay the snare for the righteous..
Psa 64:6 They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.
Psa 64:7 But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.
Psa 64:8 So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.
Psa 64:9 And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
Psa 64:10 The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.
Don’t worry Teshuva, he’s just trying to get the goat. Testing as it were.
Hi Michelle,
Be encouraged, the word of the Lord is tried seven times,
and always comes forth as pure gold.
We are encouraged of scripture to buy from him gold tried in the fire.
If we are being purified then our words and deeds should be as well.
The word Spirit also means breath, so the words that we should speak to one another if they come from a pure heart should be a holy breathing of that which is within.
Jesus called a viper a viper.
Psalm 64:2 – 6 describes what WICKED men do. Verse 5 states that one of the things they do is to encourage one another to do wickedness. This, obviously, is not the type of encouragement the believer should give or receive.
To see godly encouragement which should be part of the life of the believer I encourage you to meditate upon the Scriptures I’ve delineated in my last post.
God bless and be encouraged in the Lord!
Wayne
Not one of us is made acceptable to God by obeying the Law.
The works of the flesh are active in all of us.
To deny this is self-righteousness & self-deception.
It should be the fruit of the Spirit that defines us.
God knows our hearts.
If you think you are without sin, cast the first stone, – e.g. at those in “adulterous remarriages”.
Our God is full of mercy & grace, but let us not take that for granted or as a licence to sin..
From my experience, the Holy Spirit never leaves or forskes us, no matter what.
When we judge people without love, we grieve God.
You are correct Michelle, I am ‘trying to get the goat as you say.I look for goats amongst sheep.
Wayne,you write,
Psalm 64:2 – 6 describes what WICKED men do. Verse 5 states that one of the things they do is to encourage one another to do wickedness. This, obviously, is not the type of encouragement the believer should give or receive.
There is wickedness in the church Wayne.There is wickedness in high places in the church.Should we encourage it?
Revelation 22:14-17,
14: Blessed are they that DO HIS COMMANDMENTS, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15: For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
16: I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you THESE THINGS IN THE CHURCHES. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17: And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
These are spiritual matters that require spiritual discernment,
Dogs
Sorcerers
Whoremengers
Murderers
Idolators
Those who love lies and
Those who make lies.
BE VERY CAREFUL WHO YOU ENCOURAGE.
The Kingdom of God is within.
The goat is a behavior/lust, rebellion that we all have had and has to be eradicated from within us. The dog is a gossiping, vicious and trouble making behavior which also needs to be eradicated from within as does all the other things that you have named. If we so much as hate our brother we are a murderer. All these things have to be dealt with and done away with.
The mirror reflection of perfect man is love, joy, peace, etc–the fruits of the spirit.
You can not have these fruits if you have not sacrificed the animal behavior that resides in men until they are born again.
It all comes down to self.We must deny self,take up our cross and follow Jesus.
Our cross is to sacrifice self upon.
Whilst we are doing this we must stay well clear of dogs, sorcerers, whoremongers, murderers, Idolators, those who love lies and those who make lies.
There are so many of them in the church.
It is difficult for one who always focusses on the negative to give any encouragement to another – or to himself.
Wayne
Or herself.
Wayne
Like a camera, what one focuses on will develop, and we should not be looking at the negative per se, but instead on the IMAGE. The virtue/moral, ethical attributes of man and God should be identical when all is done.
Two thumbs up for your comment though!!
AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE RIGHTEOUS IS A DISCOURAGEMENT TO THE UNRIGHTEOUS…
One cannot take to heart the teachings of this pagan, occult driven world with all it’s deceptive theories and philosophies, be it Darwin’s evolutionary fairytale or be it Freud’s or Jung’s demonic inspired forms of psychology, one cannot drink and eat of this and also eat and drink of the teachings found in the Holy written Word of God. You have to make a choice, hopefully it will be an informed one, to eat and drink one or the other, but you cannot consume both. There is, for instance, much talk in Christian circles today about unity, but it is a unity alien to that taught from the scriptures, and one will find it is a unity extremely humanistic in nature, for if one scratches the surface of it one will undoubtedly find that it is not forged by people brought to one accord due to all of them believing in the fundamental biblical doctrines that make up the faith given us by the Lord. In point of fact, we are encouraged to place these doctrines aside by many prominent ‘Christian’ writers today promoting this worldly form of unity, for they believe biblical doctrine will not, as the Word of God plainly teaches, unite us, but divide us. However, according to the apostle Paul, one of the main functions of doctrine is to actually expose heresy and thereby to divide in order to bring to the fore of the assembly those who are approved of by God, and by clear indication, expose those who are not approved of by God: “Now in this that I declare [unto you] I praise [you] not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.” (1st Corinthians 11:17-19) Earlier on in this same letter Paul reveals this idea of a unified body brought about by the people of God all consuming the very same doctrines found in Holy Scripture, informing them that as a result, they will be unified as one body of believers with Jesus as their Head: “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we [being] many are one bread, [and] one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.” (1st Corinthians 10:16-17) Yes, we are to be unified right enough, but we must all be of one mind, the mind of Christ, and we must also, as a supernatural result of this, be of one accord by believing in the same fundamental doctrines of The Faith once delivered onto the saints; we are to be sanctified by the Word of God, and as a result, there will be unity, biblical unity, not a humanistic one that needs, as a prerequisite, for us to set aside biblical doctrine, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth… That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” (John 17:17 & 21-23) This idea of a unity without the necessary biblical prerequisite is as ridiculous as it is damaging to the testimony of the church before the eyes of a world ever watchful of those who claim Christ as their Lord and Saviour; as the prophet Amos would remind us: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos3:3); the question is from God and it is rhetorical for the answer is as plain and as simple as the question itself. Paul warns us of the dangers of not heeding Amos, as well as warning us that Satan will try to twist the outcome where the man holding fast to the doctrines of Christ will actually be the one who is blamed by the majority of being responsible for causing some sort of unnecessary division among the assembly of believers. Please listen carefully to how Paul explains this: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” (Romans 16:17-18) Today it is the handful who hold fast to the doctrines contained within the pages of the Bible that are marked as divisive people, being described as driven by ‘critical spirits’ and other such nonsense by the leaders, (whom Jesus referred to earlier as ‘thieves’), beguiling the worldly within Augustine’s ‘visible and invisible church’ model, those who wish to run contrary to sound biblical teaching. Forceful men and women who ignore the guidelines laid down by Paul as to how a church is both to be organised and not to be organised. Men who ordain females to roles meant only for males. Men who think nothing of remarrying faith professing Christians whilst their first husbands and wives are still very much alive, (and at the same time dishonour and leave to live and die completely alone the divorced men and women who do what the Bible actually commands: that they either be reconciled, if possible, or live alone as single people). Men who promote the unbiblical practice of baptising infants; the list could go on and on here. A dear friend of mine summed it up rather succinctly for me earlier on in the week when he said, with a heavy heart, “The church is content to ridicule and kick out the watchmen whilst they silently embrace the adulterers.” I must admit it amazes me no end that when the majority of church-goers read John 3:16 they have absolutely no problems understanding what that passage of simple scripture is saying. However, on the other hand, when they read Paul saying something equally as simple as women are to ‘be in silence’ and they are not to be teachers of men, everyone suddenly needs to break out the Strong’s Concordance to find out the Greek in order to understand if the Bible is constrained to particular times and particular cultural abnormalities when it clearly states it is to be adhered to throughout all eternity since it is actually “settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89). “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” (1st Timothy 2:9-12) It is usually after everyone has exhausted their Strong’s that the old ‘this is a cultural type of thing experienced by this particular church at this particular time – the women just wouldn’t keep quite and listen to their men, don’t ye know!’ sort of old hogwash is usually used to silence the Nay-Sayers in the room. However, this is not the reason at all as Paul goes on to explain the reason for the doctrine, and it is a reason born from the very beginning of the fall, not caged with the timeframe of Paul’s writing and not only to be used in that particular place at that particular time: “For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.” (1st Timothy 2:13-15) Now, you will find that this teaching is about as popular as a flee-bitten mongrel being put on display at a Crafts Full-Breed Dog and Pony Show! Aye! But there be a lot of the old mixing the wool with the flax going on in these buildings with crosses on their roofs these days, right enough. Tragically, I know many church going people who are simply confused as to the true definition of their worldviews. They claim to believe the Bible but then spend all day listening to and quoting Oprah and Dr. Phil spewing forth all the currently fashionable psychological and pseudo-spiritual jibber-jabber running rampant out there in this world of ours. The end result is they end up saying things like they believe in personal sin at the same time as believing that bad behaviour can be due to a bad parent or a hurtful experience in childhood, the ‘victim of a victim of a victim’ mentality that is all the rage today; they also claim that addiction is either a genetic problem or a chemical imbalance or a mixture of both. The problem with this is what one of the above passages warns us of, we cannot drink the cup of the Lord, the Word of God consumed as the blood of the Lamb, and also drink of the cup of devils. We cannot be partakers of the wisdom found on the Lord’s table whilst at the very same moment be partaking at Dr. Phil’s psychological smorgasbord or Oprah’s New Age pseudo-spiritual mumbo-jumbo feast. The two foodstuffs simply refuse to mix because the Lord says it is a complete impossibility!
BE ENCOURAGED
SHALOM
It is a joy and a privilege to encourage those who are down or suffering unnecessarily. And it is out of compassion that we encourage others toward Godliness.
Unfortunately, this black and white medium of the logos written word – that we are limited to on this forum – does not allow us to express, in tone and inflection, what is in our heart.
My apologies to you Andrew or anyone here if my zeal for the things of God conveys anything but my love for Him and you all.
This forum is a wonderful arena for sharing our thoughts and views on what is happening in the Christian scene of today. And Andrew, you do not have an easy job as mediator and host of this site but I, for one, appreciate the graciousness and patience that you convey to us on this site.
God bless you
And keep winning,
David Marsh.
I see the idea of the “victim of a victim of a victim” to be a true condition and liken it to the curse that is visited on people to 4 generations.
Numbers 14:17-19 but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation.
People do as they are taught , only God can break the curse.
Some people ARE so damaged that they need lots of help prayer and compassion to break out of their ungodly ways and sin. I don’t have a problem calling sin “sin” but we dont leave people to struggle alone when they may be so overwhelmed by their circumstances they can’t see the way out. This is where encouragement comes in, we encourge them to deal with their issues, to forgive those who have hurt and abused them and to walk in Godly ways
It seems from some of the writings here that some of you don’t have a compassionate bone in your bodies and only very unyeilding opinions, keeping the letter of the law but not showing Gods love to those less fortunate.
Lets rememeber “ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Love in Christ, Anne
Lisa, wise words, thank you.
My heart goes out to those who have charge over the souls of others (I hope this old type English is not misunderstood). I am ocassionally allowed to see the heart of these pastors, a load and a burden they carry. I am transitioning out of the Church organisation, but will never neglect these, as also those who hunger for righteousness.
When we encourage we bring hope and inspire confidence. If we need to bring truth, let the fire burn. But if we withhold compassion, we rob others of freedom. Sometimes, these lines are blurred.
Wayne,
We are not supposed to encourage self.It is to be denied.
Thank you Anne for you thoughtful words here, although I would have to save that the greatest compassion one can have is to tell the absolute truth to those who are perishing, including the absolutes and those scriptures that seem either foolish or offensive to the ears of the world. You know I struggle sometimes trying to understand God’s point of view, does He see the five or six days where there was much victory, or does He only focus on that one day where I stumble or fall, is sanctification really a process, or am I supposed to walk in perfection from the minute of my re-birth; some here say to need comfort highlights that the Holy Spirit in not indwelling that person, therefore that person is not born again, but deluded into thinking so; although Paul liked to encourage others and he was encouraged by others, the man even despaired onto death on occasion, and yet I would challenge anyone to dare to say Paul was not indwelled with the Spirit of God. Sometimes I find myself be harder on others when I myself am failing in some area I cannot seem to find instant overcoming in, and I wonder if this is the truth of us all? Compassion means to suffer with, perhaps I do not suffer enough with others, something for us all to pray about, I suppose. Thank you Anne for helping to ponder these things and whether or not they are within me in enough quantities, Shalom.
DEREK:
Your philosophy that “we are not supposed to encourage self” does not line up with the Bible. David – the man after God’s own heart – “encouraged himself in the Lord his God” (1 Samuel 30:6).
Also, 1 Corinthians 14:4 instructs us that one who speaks in an unknown tongue EDIFIES HIMSELF. The Greek word used here for “edify” is the verb “οἰκοδομέω oikodomeō,” which can also be translated “encourage.”
The Bible further instructs believers to build up themselves in the holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20).
I’m so glad that when negatively oriented “Christians” fail to follow the Biblical commands to encourage other believers, that I can encourage myself in the Lord – whether in English or in tongues – and know that I’m doing what the Bible exhorts me to do.
Be blessed and encouraged, brothers and sisters.
Wayne
It seems to me there are some wise words being spoken by different parts of Christ’s body, I have just been sitting drinking and thinking and will only venture to say that maybe when we encourage it is to be encouragement in the Lord rather than encouragement in a calling, because He will lead us to lay down even our calling to be sacrificed on the altar for refining & purifying until He becomes our only calling..as He is a jealous lover, and wonderful in His jealousy! In other words we won’t become discouraged if our calling seems to be slipping away through our fingers as He wants to lovingly give us Himself to hold onto instead.
However, we need to be careful how we encourage people if we aren’t completely sure they are doing what God wants them to do. The fact it, the biggest reason for discouragement is that people aren’t actually doing God’s will, whether they are not in the right place, not doing the right stuff in that place, or doing that stuff in their own strength.
When we we’re running on the right oil, it’s impossible to burn out. Missionary “burn-out” is only possible if we aren’t following God. There are missionaries who have followed God’s plan and work in the most incredible conditions for 10s of years without much of a break at all and they are still full of joy and energy.
So the encouragement I usually give is not “you’re doing great, stick at”, “lovely talk”, etc. Rather, I will talk about the guarantee of God’s supply when we’re doing His will and have His understanding about how to go about His work and how I have such faith in those people that they can do it and they can get to that place leaning on Jesus. But I never do that without bring good teaching and support too, lest I fall into a similar thing to what James says not to do (James 2:15-16).
Anthony & Jonah, – “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus”. This is liberty & maturity.
The Apostle Paul made compromises, – he had Timothy circumcised, made vows & shaved his head, – so the Jews wouldn’t be offended! I guess he was excercising his freedom too! Remember that the first Church was made up mostly of Jews.
The 5-fold are ordained “for the perfecting of the saints” etc., “til we all come in the unity of the faith, & of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ”, etc., in other words, til we all come to a state of maturity. I do hope women are not disqualified because of their gender!
Women are oppressed by law in many religions & cultures, including Judaism.What a relief for them to be counted equal with men & not forever blamed for Adam’s sin & under the curse.
Our God is not without a sense of humour, – don’t be surprised if He cooks up situations where there is only a female capable of teaching new male converts!
See, we just can’t get away from the Law & doctrinal discussion.
I have written the above to encourage women.
Mary Magdelen was a true disciple,obedient in all things.Many disciples walked away and ceased to follow the Lord but Mary was faithful to the very end and beyond.
When God created man he created them male and female and he called them MAN.
Adam was answerable for his own sin.He blamed Eve just as Eve blamed the serpent.
I believe in giving encouragement and do so,when it is due.
I will not encourage false teachers.They should not be in the church.
If they are discouraged then it is the work of God
How can anyone with the COMFORTER be discouraged ???
Elijah became discouraged. 1Kn19, and it was an angel of the Lord that encouraged him.
1Ki 19:4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
1Ki 19:5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.
1Ki 19:6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.
1Ki 19:7 And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.
How about Jesus becoming discouraged?
Mar 14:34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
Mar 14:35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
Mar 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
Mar 14:37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
Mar 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
Mar 14:39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
Mar 14:40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
Mar 14:41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Also, Paul had fired off a firey letter to the Corinthians. He sent Titus to check on the church there, and to later meet him in Troas for a report. Titus did not show up.
Paul was not on the top of the world here:
2Co 2:13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.
If no one was ever discouraged that was the Lord’s then He Himself would not have mentioned being them as being discouraged/dismayed :
Jer 23:4 And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.
Jer 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
Jer 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
DEREK HALE said: “How can anyone with the COMFORTER be discouraged?” and
“There is no place for lack of courage in the body of Christ. The discouraged do not belong in it and will NEVER be a part of it.”
I pray that none reading this string will take these untruths to heart.
If these statements were true, then the apostle Peter, who showed a lack of courage when he denied Christ three times would NEVER have been part of the Church.
However, our God is a God of love, mercy and grace. Christ not only warned Peter that he would deny Christ, but also came to him after the resurrection and encouraged him to pursue the calling to which God had called him (John 21:15-19). The one who lacked courage became a courageous leader in the new Church because our God is a gracious and merciful God and willing to forgive the repentant.
I encourage any who may be discouraged by Derek’s lies to look to the same Christ who encouraged Peter to encourage you.
Also, I encourage you to go back in this string and read what the Scriptures say about encouragement in Clare’s post and my post near the beginning of this string.
God knows the evil in this world (and some of it by so-called Christians) which would come against His people and called His people to encourage and comfort one another. It is true that He has given the Holy Spirit as one of His gifts of comfort and encouragement. Scripture also makes it abundantly clear that we are to encourage one another.
Hebrews 10:25 commands us to be “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
The Greek word for “exhorting” here is the verb, “παρακαλέω” (parakaleō) which is the same word Christ used in noun form to describe the Holy Spirit as “Comforter” in John 14:16. It means “to exhort” or “to encourage.” Indeed, many newer translations tranlate the word as “encourage” such as the New Living Translation: “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
Why Derek continues to ignore these many Scriptures showing that God’s children are to encourage one another, I do not know. But I encourage you not to be discouraged by his unScriptural lies.
Listen, instead, to the exhortations of Scripture. Seek out those fellow Christians who will encourage you in the Lord. If you cannot find any, then I encourage you to encourage yourself in the Lord as King David did.
Our great God loves those who are discouraged. Christ said part of His ministry was to “heal the brokenhearted” and “to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” (Luke 4:18). Those who are brokenhearted and oppressed usually are also discouraged.
Matthew 12:20 also tells us more of Christ’s ministry: “A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench.” He will not tample on those who are already “down.” Some self-righteous people take pleasure in trampling on on those who are down. Christ, however, came to lift the down-trodden and minister healing to those who are spiritually broken, sick, or discouraged.
Christ often uses His people as workers together with Him to minister His encouragement to those of His people who are discouraged. I pray you will find yourself to be encouraged in the Lord.
God bless,
Wayne
There are many words that describe what discouragement or depression is in the scriptures. If those words are looked up, and then a search be done for what the remedy is within the context of those words it is quite eye opening..
Here are a list of the things to ask the Lord for to counter discouragement or depression:
Yachal-hope H3176
Yadah-praise H3034
Yeshuah-health
Taher-sound/clear
Nachalah-portion
Menath-allotment
Padah-redeem
Qum-lift up
Alam-hide away
Tob-good
Teshua-victory/help/safety
Chen-grace
Gadal-nourish/promote
Tamak-maintain
Naiym-pleasant things
Shaphar-make fair
Yaats (counsel of Lord)
Yasar-instruction
Samach-brighten up
Giyl-rejoice be glad
Betach-confidence
Soba-fullness
Simchah-joy
It was given to woman (Mary Magdalene) to announce the RESURRECTION.
……and will be again…. There is a resurrection for the remnant of true believers who have died in the wilderness, it is happening even as we speak, we are crossing over and overcoming the enemies of God, even our idols, and taking back the Promised Land. We have come out of Babylon and now it is time to return to Zion like those who dream, and begin to repair the breaches of the fallen temple.
The final temple or completion of it is in man. In other words one does not have to go to Jerusalem to worship.
God resides in man, and has to be revealed
to man.
For the person who says women are not to speak, I do not understand why people want to stay in pursuit of the letter that killeth, instead of being transformed in the renewing of the mind.
The scriptures describe our walk as a race, and I do not know anyone who has run a race that made it without someone on the sidelines encouraging them to continue.
May we all have the wisdom of God in our encouragement to others, and know when to decrease that He can increase in the life of the one being encouraged.
Excellent Pastor Wayne.Many times I have been discouraged and God has caused a dear brother or sister to say something which is like a cold drink on a hot day.
A message to Derek Hale.Why not start encouraging others that are struggling and God will bless you.God bless all and you Derek.
Michael
“For the person who said women are not to speak”, This person did not say “women are not to speak” the Bible teaches that “women are to keep silence” and Paul wrote, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of Almighty God, that he did not permit women to “teach” men or to be leaders of them. Once again we have people, with all the finest FEELINGS in the humanistic world, challenging God and His Word. God. Even though Paul, lays it out plain and simple we ever so sophisticated, educated people of the Here Now Always Generation think we know better than God Himself. It is this kind of arogance that needs not to be encouraged, but discuouraged among God’s people. It doesn’t matter how it makes me FEEL, or in what light I stand in the world’s eyes, it doesn’t even matter if I think too harsh, or too hard to live up to, if God says it, and clearly, through Paul, He does, in plain, easy to understand language that even a small child could comprehend, then that is what I am going to do and that is most definitely what I am going to beleive and cling too. If God wrote in His Word that Irishmen are never to say or write anything ever, no matter how “supressed” or “oppressed” this might make them FEEL, you would never hear a word from me in speach or writing (If only! Some here might think LOL). It is that simple. If you cannot obey your Lord on something so simple as this, how is it possible that you would call Him Lord at all??? This is about submission, and submission is not a dirty word, without submission we would not be saved because Jesus saw it fit and right to submit Himself to the Father’s will, submission is one of the most beautiful words in our language if viewed correctly. The woman, (yes, even the post modern militantly feminised woman) is to submit to her husband as the husband submits to Jesus who Himself submits to the Father. It is only in our generation that we have lost the will to have the humility to do as scripture plainly tells us; the generations that have come before us put us to shame on this and many other matters concerning obedience. I will leave you all with the two easy to understand passages of Holy, God Breathed Scripture and leave it up to you whether or not you will admit that they are simple to comprehend and that God means every single word He has ever written down in the Bible or whether you will choose to disobey what is so plainly being taught here and willfully follow your own new path to heaven. It is up to you!
“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn IN SILENCE with all SUBJECTION. But I SUFFER NOT A WOMAN TO TEACH, NOR TO USURP AUTHORITY OVER THE MAN, BUT TO BE IN SILENCE” (1st Timothy 2:9-12)
“Now I BESEECH you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences CONTRARY TO THE DOCTRINE which ye have learned; and AVOID THEM. For they that are such SERVE NOT our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; AND BY GOOD WORDS AND FAIR SPEECHES DECEIVE THE HEARTS OF TEH SIMPLE” (Romans 16:17-18)
Like I said it is not complicated, not written in some mysterous manner that we need to go digging into acient languages in order to comprehend what is meant here. Paul, writing on behalf of God and inspired by God, tells us plainly what it is women are not to do within the Body of Christ and you will either believe it and follow it or you will not, and it is not the person promoting what the Word plainly teaches who is causing division among the Body, but those who teach contrary to the doctrines handed down by the apostles, including these doctrines written by Paul. You may tear them from the Bible,(and any other doctrines that don’t sit well with your feelings or current worldview), but I will choose to keep them exactly as is and try, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, to believe them and to follow them, no matter what the world says and no matter what some of the sheep/goats bleet out as they are being scattered by the enemy. God’s Word is settled in heaven and He upholds it even above His own great name and we all know how much the LORD loves His own great name. It is a name that makes those who love Him fall all the more in love with Him and it is a name that makes His enemies tremble, a name above all names, a name that brings love to the loveless, hope to the hopeless, comfort to those in need, a bright and dazzling light in a world filled with darkness. And if He upholds His Word even above His own great and awesome name, should we do our best to esteem and follow that Word – No matter how it makes us personally FEEL.
Remember what God told Jeremiah about the false teachings of the priests, He told them that the people loved to have it so, but then He ended with the question above all questions, that question being: “BUT WHAT WILL YOU DO IN THE END”
What will we do when we stand and face our Lord and have spent our lives thinking we know better than Him because His Word happened not to be in fashion during our life times?
THIS HAS BEEN EXPRESSED TO ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO ARE KEEPING THE WORD HIDDEN IN THEIR HEARTS, THOSE WHO ARE NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, THOSE WHO FOLLOW THE LAMB AND ALL HE TEACHES, MEN AND WOMEN, BLACK AND WHITE, RICH AND POOR, STRONG AND WEAK, JEW AND GENTILE – THIS IS WRITTEN AS AN ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE CHURCH OF WHICH CHRIST JESUS IS THE HEAD.
SHALOM – MAY HIS PEACE REIGN IN YOUR HEARTS THIS DAY TO THE POINT THAT OBEDIENCE BECOMES INTRINSIC TO THE NEW NATURE HE IS PERFECTING WITHIN YOU.
AMEN!
Shalom Anthony,
You post on a forum comprised of men and women, who share that which they have experienced or that which has been revealed to them, which also consists of teaching.
If you do not want a woman to teach you anything, then maybe you should skip the posts that women write.
Before one of my worst ever trials, I was told to grow my hair. I did this in the natural, not realizing that I had a battle ahead of me. When I had gotten to the end of my trial, my eyes were opened to the spiritual reason I was to grow my hair. It was to grow in strength of God, because of what I was about to face, and not my natural hair.
In other words it was quickened to me that the secret of Samson’s strength in the Lord was in the growing of his hair. Had I understood before hand what the Lord was trying to tell me I would have avoided much grief. But I had to learn by going through the process, and then understand what he was trying to tell me.
I have learned not to let anyone cut my hair or strength in the Lord.
As for modest apparel, one could put a Burka on a woman, or even a tent, but rest assured if a mans lust has not been dealt with they will use their x-ray vision and lust anyway.
If I were to place this in spiritual terms, if the bride is not clothed in His righteousness then she is naked and thus seduces.
Just a thought, where do those who don’t agree with women teaching draw the line. Do they not want a women to teach their children about the Lord,? Do they not want a woman to teach other women? What about in Sunday school?
Personally I would find it difficult to have a woman pastor but I certainly believe that God speaks many things towomen that they can impart to others.
Once again, it is not about “those who disagree” it is about has God written it down and commanded it or not? It doesn’t say anything as far as I can see about women not teaching women, and Sunday school only came in because parents were too busy working to teach their children on godly matters. It is written! God wrote it! We will either obey it or disobey it! It is that simple! WHAT WILL YOU DO IN THE END?
And Teshuva: Where do it begin? Yes I do refuse to be taught by women because the Bible tells me so and as to the rest of your growing your hair stuff – Absolute gobbledegook my friend and nothing to do with what it written in the Bible, the cults of the world are filled with such mumbojumbo-jibberjabber hokuspokus that give the impression of deep spirituality but have nothing whatsoever to do with what it is Jesus demands – Paul also wrote that it is a shame for a man to wear his hair long – (there go all the images of the long haired hippy Jesus). Yes Samson was told to do so, but it was for some very specific reasons and lets remember, the story of Samson is not an example of odedience, Samson fail miserably and it was only by the grace of God that the Philistines were slain. We can follow the Word – which is impossible without the indwelling of the Spirit – or we can do the easier thing, which is to start making up New Age mumbo-jumbo jibber-jabber and try to come across as being somehow deeply spiritual whislt we are actually taking the easier, softer road. Also those who stick with scripture come off today as being hard and those who do the mystical hokus-pokus methods come across as being really soft hearted sensitive creatures only a bully would dare to contend with. Give it up my friend it will lead you nowhere. Grow you hair, don’t grow your hair – it has absolutely nothing to do with scripture and you would do well indeed to start testing those spirits telling you to do such nonsense. Shalom – may His peace fill you with a desire for real Biblical knowledge.
How often is scripture reinterpreted to make it fit what we wish it said?
Shalom Anthony,
May God richly bless you.
The two above passages I quoted are plain,and easy to understand. They do not need “interpreting’. If I tell you to open the window and close the door can you somehow misconstrew this as me telling you the complete opposite – Am I really, in some cleverly mystical fashion actually telling you to open the door and close the window or open both the window and the door or to actually leave both of them closed and begin to dig a tunnel to usurp both of these exits??? Really??? It is coming down to something so ridiculous as this kind of semantics? If I tell my kids to “keep silence” and they come in humming their favoute Wiggles tune, are they obeying me or disobeying me? Silence means Silence! No interptretation is needed except the simple interpretation. Honestly! Such childishness! It is written! Either do it or don’t do it, but please don’t do the Lord the injustice of pretending not to understand such plain, easy to understand language as that which Paul commanded of the church! It is bad enough that we don’t do it wihtout pretending that the command does not exist at all! Come on people – be encouraged! Shalom.
Thank you Teshuva – May He bless you as well!
Thank you Anthony– He does!
Anthony I think you missed the point of what I menat. So often the plain and simple is made complicated because it doesn’t fit what we would prefer to believe – so people INTERPET what is plain and simple so that it could mean what they want to believe.
It’s been a common practice in the church for centuries – where a “minister” is employed to explain what scripture means because its too compicated for we common-folk who would otherwise assume that the words on the page actually mean what they say.
Sorry Tim – I thought you were promoting the complicating of simple scripture so as we do not obey it. My fault there. Sorry. Thank you for correcting me on this.
Love and Shalom.
I agree, the truth IS simple, Anthony, once the veil of flesh and religion/cultishness is taken away – women are not to engage in idle, carnal chitter-chatter so as not to detract from a meeting devoted to spiritual pursuits. Not hard at all.
A spiritually mature woman, filled with the Holy Spirit however, would be in disobedience if she were to quench the Spirit in her. The Holy Spirit is always right and righteous.
Deborah rebuked a man, the honour of defeating the enemy went to a woman (Jael), and we have the example of Abigail standing up to her husband in righteousness. There are times when women are called to the front lines of battle whether we like it or not, and believe me I think most of us would rather have the men do the dirty work and heavy lifting. But at such times it is usually because the men have been weakened or taken out by Jezebel, and so God then gives the honour/glory to women as we are the second line of defense so to speak . We are living in such a day. Try telling His Bride to keep her sword sheathed and mouth shut!
I have not been a feminist for many, many years. Nowadays my ire is reserved for religion of the stubborn kind.
Paul dealt with a situation within one relatively new church, understandable with certain women still in custom of the world, perhaps usurping the time of leadership primarily of men, also a time the entire church is still maturing in the Lord.
Paul also favored a husband and wife team naming five times Priscilla and Aquila, and the sixth time setting the husbands name first, as Aquila and Priscilla.
Men are to be head of the family (think of a bumper on an auto), when men take over completely in every part of their union exclusively serving of the Lord, surely the women will praise the Lord greatly… Said by a 76 year old male.
Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). When trials are difficult to face, encouragement can help us set our minds on the things above (Colossians 3:2). When we do that we acknowledge, not our will, but His will, be done. Sometimes people fall and get broken. If through lack of faith (or otherwise), let us strengthen them, in the Lord. Trials will come, our world will collapse, but trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t lean on your understanding (perception of the now, or interpretation of the tomorrow). The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of the Lord stands forever (Isaiah 40:8, 1 Peter 1:25). Dear brethren, in all things give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18). If we endure affliction, let us do so for the right reason, for the joy that is set before us – as we enter into the fellowship of His suffering. Trust in His word and give thanks through ALL circumstances, knowing that He is your God and will never leave nor forsake you – He is with you to the end. He is your rock, your fortress and your deliverer.
I am not debating or disagreeing with Andrews present topic “Encourage”, as it is a necassity, however to even imply it is in short supply and little used is contrary to truth most obvious.
I would say within priorities, such as verse “correct, rebuke, and encourage”, within the church encourage has reached the excess of enabling. Look around at both leaders of the nation and of the church, I believe we have encouraged much false teaching, false prophecy, and corruption of what Christ has taught… I am not correcting or rebuking those in the world, but leadership within the church.
Many church today are producing pagans, filled with false teaching and false prophecy, is it any wonder the seeker of truth enters through the front door of many church, only to leave by the back.
Yes, I agree DeWayne, God has set man over woman to cover (clothe), protect and provide, this is His desire ideally, but many of us are spiritual or actual widows, that is the reality – what then? Do we roll over and die with our men, burn ourselves on their funeral pire like the Hindu’s would like, or do we pick up the plough and get to work before starvation sets in for we and our children?
ARISE, WOMEN OF GOD! There are not many fathers, therefore mothers will arise in Israel, sometimes by the blessed intervention/intercession of those few fathers. By His SPIRIT, in His way, His time.
I believe sometimes my flesh nature will take a freudian step, such as descrbing a ‘necassity’, hope you will forgive me.
[[ I would say within priorities, such as verse “correct, rebuke, and encourage”, within the church encourage has reached the excess of enabling. Look around at both leaders of the nation and of the church, I believe we have encouraged much false teaching, false prophecy, and corruption of what Christ has taught… I am not correcting or rebuking those in the world, but leadership within the church.
Many church today are producing pagans, filled with false teaching and false prophecy, is it any wonder the seeker of truth enters through the front door of many church, only to leave by the back.]]
Amen DeWayne, encouragement of the humanistic kind and strengthening the hands of those He does not want strengthened – let’s be of those who run out that back door and don’t look back. Leave Babylon/Sodom in God’s hands and carry on forward. Now it is time for us evacuees to return to Zion and rebuild, but by His Spirit this time, and He IS doing it! We are like those who dream – look for Him to speak to us about the new temple in dreams, a lot of the work will be accomplished by His Spirit at night..
Tim says,
How often is scripture reinterpreted to make it fit what we wish it said?
me,
With all due respect, I understood what you said, yet Anthony misunderstood your comment.
If we take all of scripture with a literal meaning then where it states that if your eye offends/sins you pluck it out or if you hand offends/sins you cut it off, then we should all be without some body parts. Some how I think in the Lords wisdom that He means if these things offend you, or cause you to sin then cut it out. Cut out the sinning.
I looked to the sky this morning and since He opens the windows of heaven, I looked for this literal window, and there was none.
I mean neither one of you any disrespect, but just wanted to say that if we want to know what scripture means then we should in prayer ask the Father, as scripture states that they will ALL be taught of God.
Blessings to you both.
Once again and with no surprise to me, a simple article has been torn to shreds and gone in all directions – women teachers yes or no – hair long or short etc – I thought the original point being made was that we are to encourage one another!! – not only is this essential as the days grow tougher but is scriptural too!! I wish folk would stop the arguments and legalistic attitudes that are always being shown and just get on with encouraging each other in the faith and making sure that we leave no stumbling block for another to fall over – yes that is scriptural too!!
Amen, Ceri!
Well said.
Bless you!
Andrew
Well, all I know is this is one woman who was bound by a jezebellic religious concept of women until recently was set free through the truth, and now hopes that other women will be encouraged to walk in freedom because of having seen that this is the Father’s will and that what remains of the body of Christ will be strengthened as a result. Now this doesn’t at all mean walking in presumption or disrespect, but oh my, it does mean the *freedom* for women to try and learn to walk after the Spirit without those shackles on, being able to grow into the full stature of Christ. And it means more effectiveness in encouraging men to do the same, a win-win situation.
Bear in mind this is not talking about an immature or fleshly church, this is God’s holy remnant we are speaking of, those who have been tested & tried, prepared in the wilderness.
If poor ol’ Jez had been set free of her idolatry and it’s resulting powerlessness, she wouldn’t have needed to control and live her life through a man, this to me is the amazing paradox!
Didn’t see your post Andrew, I was responding to Ceri..
Teshuva said:
If we take all of scripture with a literal meaning then where it states that if your eye offends/sins you pluck it out or if you hand offends/sins you cut it off, then we should all be without some body parts.
____________
Teshuva, the answer is CONTEXT. CONTEXT CONTEXT.
Taking individual verses like that literally without taking into account context leads to guaranteed disaster. Part of that context is recognising what kind of conversation does the statement belong to. Is the conversation pointing towards a literal action or is it clearly given in figurative language.
The extreme action spoken of by Jesus is clearly figurative intended to convey the seriousness of sin and not intended as an instruction for everyone to maim themselves.
With the issuse of women being referred to by Anthony – those statements are also part of a greater context and are not isolated instructional statements to be taken away and applied universally outside of that context.
“women are to keep silence”? Where, when and under what circumstances? Does it have universal application?
How does that statement stand up within the greater context of scripture? Does scripture as a whole indicate that women should remain silent ?
Scripture is not a new book of law – it is a collection of writings revealing God and his relationship with mankind from creation through to the creation of a new heaven and earth where HE will dwell with the people He has redeemed.
Before we can hope to understand and correctly apply individual statements from scripture we need to understand the primary purpose for the WHOLE revelation of scripture: to reveal God and His eternal purposes to mankind.
Scripture’s purpose is usually missed because we try to make it into something it isn’t, we try to apply it in ways it was never intended using our own interpretations of isolated parts to suit our own agenda instead of God’s.
Shalom June, this is for you from a FB friend of mine who was completely blown away by your willingness to obey our Lord in amongst all of the burdens that come along with living obediently within the constraints of divorce. She shared it at her Bible group yesterday, so be encouraged, my beloved sister, your stand and your testimony is already bearing good fruit. My friend, a Mexican lady called Lulu asked if I would pass this web site on to you, to encourage you, to build you up, to show you that you are not alone in your obedient stand for the Lord in something so long drawn out, so heart breaking, so frustrating, as to remain single in divorce whilst the majority of the church relabel “adultery” as “remarriage” Bless you. All my love and prayer, Anthony D – http://www.marriagedivorce.com Stephen Wilcox??
Shalom everyone. Firstly, I don’t understand how anyone pointing others back to scripture, any scripture, is not seen as encouraging the Body of Christ; we all need encouraging, we also need many other things from the Word of God. One person says I and others like me take the Bible too literally and why don’t we now hack out our eyes and chop off our hands – Really? I really have to answer that tired old argument again? God tells us we can seek shelter under His great wings? Is God now to be viewed as some sort of big pigeon? Jesus tells the people of Jerusalem that He wished He could protect them as a mother hen protects her chicks; is this our Lord telling us to view Him as some sort of giant chicken? Honestly, the ridiculous arguments people are willing to lower themselves to in order to remain disobedient to plain simple, easy to understand language. Some have used the equally tired old argument that Paul only intended his instructions on women keeping silence, not teaching men, and not seeking to be leaders of men to that particular church at that particular time and this is hogwash. If that is what Paul had meant he would have included that so as other churches later reading that letter would not apply it universally to all churches and more even than this, Paul actually gave the reason why and it went all the way back to the disobedience of Eve in the Garden: Paul tells us Eve was deceived but that Adam was not, he wilfully, with full knowledge of the sin he was committing, decided to go with Eve in her transgression and go completely against what it was God had commanded. This is the reason. It is a universal reason and it is to apply to all women, throughout all of time in every church ever planted. Have you not ever wondered why it was that Satan completely bypassed Adam to get to Eve to bring about the downfall of both??? There are many descriptions of the devil in scripture, but the last time I looked, “stupid, impatient, moronic, imbecile” is not included in these descriptions, and they are not included for a very good reason: Satan is smart, he is smarter than smart, he has been around a good few thousand years or more and he knows the pride of Mankind; in fact he very much relies on it. Even when Jesus was facing him in the wilderness, Jesus did not resort to his own opinion, based on what was common knowledge during his lifetime on earth. He didn’t seek to give the politically correct answer, for fear of offending the masses who would later hear of his replies to the devil; our Lord resorted to scripture, simply stating it, stating that it existed and stating what it said word for word, without the current interpretation or re-interpretation and if we view Satan as God would have us view him, we would do well indeed to keep away from giving our re-interpretation based on the light of our current psychologised worldviews, be they politically correct or incorrect. Yesterday I wrote quite clearly that It is written; God wrote it, and we can do one of two things: we can obey what is written, or we can come up with all of our fancy intellectually, politically correct reinterpretations in order that we delude ourselves into believing that we are being obedient to scripture whilst we are actually guilty of disobeying it and thinking we know better than the God who created us. One person even started down the tired old road of Birkas and women being forced to wear tents in some religious cults and I was thinking Whoa! Whoa there! This is not what Paul was saying at all, God was speaking through Paul about women remaining modest in the apparel not telling them to hide from head to foot inside some tent with a hood; it is almost as if we no longer believe that a woman can be beautiful in modest clothing; or that the real definition of her beauty is to view it as God so obviously views it, as something grown from within. Then there was the other tired argument where women should take the headship because the men are suffering from a passivity born of Jezebel’s spirit, (and the only real problem Jezebel had was coming under a man’s headship) and what a load of old twaddle that is: I can see nowhere in the bible where God gives us that idea in the positive; in fact if I turn to the Book of Jeremiah Chapter 7 and chapter 44 I see God giving us all the complete opposite teaching, and as I read this I am reminded of Paul giving God’s command to women not to usurp men; I am also reminded why Satan bypassed Adam to get to Eve to bring about the downfall of everyone ever born:
“Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great multitude, even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying, [As for] the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee. But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for [then] had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil. But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all [things], and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine. And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings unto her, without our men? Then Jeremiah said unto all the people, to the men, and to the women, and to all the people which had given him [that] answer, saying, The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it [not] into his mind? So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, [and] because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day. Because ye have burned incense, and because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies; therefore this evil is happened unto you, as at this day. Moreover Jeremiah said unto all the people, and to all the women, Hear the word of the LORD, all Judah that [are] in the land of Egypt: Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying; Ye and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her: ye will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows. Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt; Behold, I have sworn by my great name, saith the LORD, that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, The Lord GOD liveth.” (Jeremiah 44:15-26)
So this idea of women taking over the leadership in order to bring about a good outcome that is blessed by God is something born out of the imagination of the women and passive, lazy men of our generation. Notice that God was as angry at the men as he was at the women and notice also that the result was the worshiping of a false god, in this case a false goddess, that same goddess worshiped by Catholics, Mary, the Madonna, the Mother of God and the Queen of Heaven. However, it doesn’t really matter what false god this kind of behaviour leads to, be it the Jesus of the Catholics, or Mormons, or Moslems, or be it the ever popular Jesus of the imagination, you know the one, the one who is soft on sin, the one too “nice” to make a place as awful as Hell, the one that makes us all cool and nice and lovey-dovey with the world, the inoffensive Jesus, the long haired hippy, Brad Pit look-alike Jesus, the blue eyed, blond haired Jesus that sells millions of calendars all year round, the Jesus that turns up in peoples kitchens to tell them how wonderful they are, the Jesus that sends armies of angels to listen to the commands of men, the Jesus who can be beckoned away from the right hand of the Father just because we would will that it be so, simply because we have “visualised” him to materialise, the 900 foot Jesus “seen” by Pat Robinson who told him to tell his congregation that he had been instructed to build a new hospital using their donations that was going to cure cancer and ended up bankrupt, sitting there still as a testimony to the world of what a joke this particular Jesus of the imagination truly is; the Jesus of Benny Hinn who claims to heal people who then go home, come off their medications and die in front of their families, their husbands, their wives, their children; the Jesus of Todd Bentley who tells him it is okay with Him if he commits adultery whilst he is about the Lord’s business of creating a great revival; the Jesus that tells us to grow our hair so as to become an over-comer of some great trial ahead of us, as if growing one single hair long or short has anything whatsoever to do with sanctification; this is what happens when we wilfully disobey simple, easy to understand scripture concerning such politically incorrect issues as daring to tell a woman the role God has ordained for her or to tell a man to stop being lazy and start taking up the mantle the Lord has ordered him to take up. We end up with a Jesus of the imagination, we end up with a Jesus who if fine, thank you very much, with homosexuality, with lesbianism, with people living in sin as they sit in church week in and week out, with the ordination of homosexuals, lesbians, women, men who have no control over their own families, with infant baptism, with TV charlatans fleecing the flock and living like rock stars, with kids who come to church on Sunday nursing their hangovers from the night before, those kids who look like the world, talk like the world, dress like the world, listen to the same styles of music as the world, the consumer minded Jesus, the psychologised Jesus, the Jesus who no longer believes in creation but in evolution; the Jesus of the Ecumenical Movement, the Jesus of the Interfaith movement; the Jesus who apologises to the Homosexual and Lesbian Communities for making them feel so bad about something they obviously have no choice in because, don’ t you know, they were born like that! (Check out the DVD Lord forgive us for your Followers), All of Israel’s problems began because they began to worship God on a different mountain, that is all it took!, and their arguments were as nonsensical as the arguments I see here in some of these posts; “Oh the LORD will understand, the other mountain is too many days travel and we are tired from working day and night and there is a mountain much closer and more convenient; surely the LORD will understand, after all, He does have a sense of humour, now, doesn’t he; and all those pesky prophets, all they do is bring us down, all the time with obey the LORD, obey the LORD, don’t they have anything uplifting to tell us, can’t they just stop with all this legalism for a while, can’t they just tell us something good about ourselves, make us smile, give us some nice warm fuzzy messages to help us through our day” “There is nothing new under the sun” wrote a wise man once, and Boy O’ Boy was he right on the money or what. Like I said, It is Written; God wrote it; it is easy to understand; the rules of good hermeneutics is if there are some deep, confusing passages dealing with an issue and there are also some easy to understand passages dealing with that same issue, we are to go to and obey the simple passage in order to err on the side of caution if there be any chance of us falling into error at all. We all know what Paul said, we all know that is was not just for that particular church at that particular time and Paul went back to Geneses to make sure we understood that is was from the beginning to the end; we all know God’s Word is settled in Heaven, meaning we will be living by God’s Word for all eternity, We all know that God is like His Word, He and It never change, not for us, not for the men and women of Jeremiah’s day, not for anyone; we all know the adversary is formidable and intelligent beyond belief; therefore we should all know we should never, ever, stray from what it is that God has written; Jesus died to get this to us, the Biblical Jesus who includes all of the offensive Divine Exclusions that make us enemies with the world and Satan; men and women down through the centuries died to get this Word to us, and they died terrible deaths rather that disobey a single passage of what God has written. We know! We know! We know! Now, will we simply obey what is plainly written down or will we choose to disobey what is so plainly written down, that is the real question.
Finally, as for encouragement, if you are a LOVER of God’s truth, you will no doubt be greatly encouraged by what you have just read, because it is the God breathed Word of God, and if you are not a lover of truth, you will no doubt feel angry and frustrated and are already typing madly in order to expose the writer as some sort of divisive person with a “critical spirit” who is actually some kind of modern day Pharisee full of legalism and lacking any grace, mercy or love whatsoever – and if you fall into the second category, that’s fine, I get called a lot worse for contending earnestly for THE FAITH once delivered onto the saints. I am still going to love you by telling you the truth and I am going to keep on loving you by telling you not what it is you might necessarily want to hear, but what it is some of you so obviously need to hear.
Shalom – May His love and peace reign in your hearts this day.
The spiritual mind puts all men and all things on a common level.
In the sight of God, there is no great and small, no Jew or Greek, no male or female, there is only Christ, who is not divided.
As a child we are served and our feet are washed, but when one grows up, they serve and wash feet.
In this display of divine love, one is left humble and disarms the pride of flesh.
I heard these words, would I wash your feet, Anthony and Tim.
I had to walk those words around in my spirit for a minute, but answered yes, I would wash their feet.
It has been asked that we go back to the original topic and so I want to honor that request, and will just let this be my last comment to the above comments made.
Gods choicest blessings to the both of you.
I would like to encourage everyone to stop using scripture to push a personal agenda, to stop cherry-picking verses to make a point or to support a favoured theological idea and to start searching the scriptures to receive the Spirit’s revelation of God and HIS agenda.
Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
H5828
עזר
‛êzer
ay’-zer
From H5826; aid: – help.
Teshuva thank you for your very kind words, I would also wash your feet in love – I am a nurse so tonight I will be washing a lot more than feet, one finds that struggle to serve during the washing of a person, from time to time, such humble service does not come naturally to any of us, the Lord’s lesson on this is very eye opening. I will leave you all with my heart felt love and hope one fine and glorious day we will all walk hand in hand to go worship our King with all of our feet washed clean. Shalom everyone.
FINAL THOUGHT
God’s Love is one-sided. God doesn’t say, “I’ll love you if you’ll love Me”. Instead He promises, “I’ll love you no matter what”!
__________________
“…neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39
FINAL THOUGHT… REALLY… I MEAN IT THIS TIME LOL
We are next told of the effect Jesus’ countenance and character has upon a world blinded by the enemy and dead in its transgressions: “As many were astounded at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men…” I recall a good friend of mine telling me that the more Christlike I became the more my ex-wife and the other people of this world would be inexplicably drawn to me. I have also heard it said of many a preacher that he preached a good sermon because the people all went home happy and content, and although there is a place for sermons of encouragement, most of the time what is meant here is that the message was designed to please the ears of the men and women listening to it. What I have found in my few years as a Christian is most often the diametric opposite of the above observations. The more Christlike I become, the less my ex-wife and those of the world seem drawn to me. In fact, the more of Christ I hide the more accepted I am in these circles. The more I disguise the gospel as some sort of worldly philosophical psychology, the more accepted I am as some sort of spiritual academic. Whereas, the more of Christ I choose to reveal in my life the more I am disliked and distrusted by the un-silent majority. It is the same for the preacher. The more he waters down the gospel the more ‘relevant’ he seems to be viewed by the majority of the congregation. The more soppy stories he tells of three legged puppies and half blind ponies the more he seems to be fawned over. But the truth of the matter is when preachers of old preached the fullness of the gospels they were seldom fawned over. Many of the preachers we seem to recall with some favour today emptied many a church with a Christlike sermon; we seem to tend to forget that about many of the great preachers of the past. Let us pay heed to preachers such as Leonard Ravenhill when he informs us of this reality of what makes a great preacher: “We’re so far removed from God’s way of doing things– We think a man is a good man if he can draw a crowd these days. Do you know what Finney did? Finney preached sometimes; and the whole congregation got up and walked out on him. That’s a good meeting! He sent them out horrified! I only preach for two reasons these days: either to send people out that door blazing mad at me or blazing with the peace of the Holy Ghost! That’s all!” In another message this bold preacher of the Word goes on to tell us the real state of the Christlike among us: “If you’re going to be a true Christian, I’ll tell you one thing amongst others: it’ll be a lonely life.” When Christ preached the reactions were varied and extreme. The destitute and contrite of heart were drawn to him. They were at the end of their rope, their tether in tatters, clinging on to scotch mist out of thin air and this Rabbi from Nazareth came and reaffirmed for them that how they had been seeing things all along actually had some credence to it. These poor people were being exploited by a religious establishment flourishing on their misery. They were being forgotten in the grand scheme of things. They were having heavy burdens placed upon their buckling shoulders with no one to help them carry the spirit breaking load and everything about the creation screamed out at them about the existence of a merciful, loving, caring, encouraging and intimate Creator, and when they heard the words of this strange carpenter’s son, there was a comforting and spirit nurturing element to what He was revealing to them and a sense of refreshment came upon them at those words. However, the other reaction Christ received was the complete opposite and it was those reactions that left Him so marred, so disfigured that people were astounded that one could take so much punishment and still be left breathing air. This is the result of preaching the truth to a people dead in trespasses and sins, people who hate the light and keep away from it in case their evil deeds be exposed, and we should rightfully expect the same kind of treatment today if we preach the truth as Jesus did. We are told the world will hate us and this is what is meant by that warning. “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” (John 17:14) If the world is in love with us then our Christian message cannot be a Christian message and we are not being Christlike at all, we are being like the world. If this is what the Master experienced then what right has the servant to expect any less is what Christ informs us, not the other way around. “The disciple is not above [his] master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more [shall they call] them of his household?” (Matthew 10:24-25) When Jesus preached some were drawn to Him, mostly outcasts it seems, yet others were repelled, they wanted to stone Him, to beat Him, to throw Him of a cliff and be done with Him. The leader of the Sanhedrin said it would be better if one man die instead of all the people and not knowing he was doing so, this religious leader was actually prophesying what it is Isaiah clearly saw all those hundreds of years prior to the event taking place here on earth. The other interesting thing about this plan of God’s to save all who would believe is the Devil had no idea what was really going on and we can see that he was completely confused as to what all this crucifixion business was really all about. We see Satan trying to make sure the crucifixion does not take place when Simon Peter, inhabited, scripture tells us, with the spirit of Satan, tried to talk Jesus out of even going to Jerusalem. “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” (Matthew 16:21-23) Then we see the religious leaders talking about avoiding doing anything about Jesus during the Passover Feast as it would cause a riot among those who thought of Him as a prophet sent by God, and this is once again a decision process being conjured up in their minds by their true father, Satan. “After two days was [the feast of] the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put [him] to death. But they said, Not on the feast [day], lest there be an uproar of the people.” (Mark 14:1-2) The next thing we see is the Devil climbing into Judas Iscariot and betraying Jesus to the religious leaders who are now thinking it best to capture Him at the Garden even as the festival is commencing despite their earlier plans of not taking Him during this festival because of fearing an uproar from the people of Jerusalem. “Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.” (Luke 22:1-4) The Devil is completely confused and the only one in control is Jesus who tells the guards who it is they can and cannot arrest when they come to take Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. “Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am [he]: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.” (John 18:7-9) This is God’s plan from start to finish, the foretelling of the arrival of the Messiah, the birth of the Messiah, the preaching of the Messiah, the miracles of the Messiah, the suffering and perfecting of the Messiah, the beating and humiliation of the Messiah, the death of the Messiah and the raising of the Messiah to Everlasting Life. Yes. God esteemed this servant spoken of by Isaiah for the very same reasons those content to live in the darkness of their evil deeds marred Him more than any man has ever been marred: for doing His perfect will and preaching His perfect Word which is set in Heaven forevermore.
Shalom,
there is no perfect preacher, only a perfect God who manages to get His work done in spite of us all..
guess I’ll just leave it that Deborah is awakening and there is not much we can do about it then..
have a good shift at work Anthony, from one former nurse to another..
Thanks Mum. Have a blessed day. Really like what you said about God getting it done in spite of us all – Very true – I know I blow it… A lot! And yet… And yet He still hasn’t given up on me. I sense the love you and others here have for our LORD and it is uplifting, even if we disagree on some points, there is a great deal of love on these pages and that is encouraging, and uplifting, Andrew is a very patient, caring, diplomatic and loving pastor, I think his flock are very blessed to have him. To those I may have ticked off here – That wasn’t my intent. Love and peace-Shalom to you all. Thanks for all that you wrote here, very interesting, and mostly very uplifting.
A THOUGHT ON MERCY TO ENCOURAGE US ALL
Paul teaches that we must always keep Christ Jesus as our centre piece, and so I will, if you would be kind enough to indulge me for a moment or two, place the Lord Jesus at the very epicentre of this astonishing mystery that the Holy Spirit is unfolding before our eyes. Time and time again we read in the scriptures that God keeps His covenant with rebellious Israel not because of anything on their part, given their history this could never have been the reason, and the church is not too far behind them, if we are willing to be completely honest here, but simply because of His own great and awesome namesake. God has a powerful love for His name and defends it vehemently again and again right throughout Holy Scripture. However, as much as he obviously esteems His own great name, there is one other thing He cherishes more than even that. God declares in the Psalms that He holds His Word in even greater esteem than His name. And if we truly ponder this point, we get another, deeper glimpse into the very heart of the ‘mercy’ that is spoken about from the mount in this wonderful and challenging sermon. The beginning of the Gospel of John declares that Jesus is actually the very Word that God is speaking about in such glowing terms in the Psalms when he upholds the Word even over his own great and terrible name. Now think for a moment what it must have taken for our Heavenly Father to lay upon the alter that which He esteems even higher than His own magnificent and stately name, that name that He defends time and time again in the Old Testament, that name that makes His enemies tremble, that fills the unlovable with love and the hopeless with hope, that name that causes the blind to see rainbows and dazzling sparkles in the downpour, the cripple to dance jigs, and the dead to stagger out from their tombs of darkness and dread in absolute awe and wonder, that wonderful name that contains so much glorious splendour that the very heavens themselves cannot be silenced in their utter adoration of it. How much love, do you think, does it take to lay down the life of the one you have never been apart from in all eternity, the one that completely fills you with utter pride and joy and blessedness, the one who you know, although sweating huge drops of blood at the very thought of what must be done that your will be accomplished, will unflinchingly walk to the most horrible of deaths, being mocked and spat at and jeered at and cruelly mimicked just because you desire it of Him, that one with your own ever-resilient heart thundering deep within his battered and bloodied chest, a heart of utter love, of utter compassion, of utter forgiveness and mercy, looking up into your tear drenched eyes as you pour down your holy righteous wrath that the enemy might be saved, those beautiful bloodshot and obedient eyes gazing heaven-ward and asking that the Creator of all that has ever been created would have mercy upon the very murderous people butchering that which you love the most with a love that is absolutely without compare. This is what Jesus Christ is teaching on the mount, this is the calibre of mercy that He exhibits before us that we might in turn join Him and bestow more and more of his loving kindness upon those who deserve it the least and yet need it more than words can possibly say. This is the mercy that all the Mahatmas and gurus in the world will never truly understand, no matter how long they sit cross-legged and chant. This is the mercy of the only begotten Son of God Almighty, the mercy of the One beyond imagining, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the beautiful Rose of Sharon, this is the calibre of the mercy of the Messiah of Israel and the Lord and Saviour of whomsoever will be saved by faith.
With Christ at the centre of this beautiful beatitude, it all just comes to life, now, doesn’t it? This is mercy with a heart cannon-balling it along preordained tracks through the darkest, stormiest night, mercy with a love unfathomable propelling it white-knuckled against every and any obstacle foolish enough to stand in its righteous path, mercy with a heart so tender and compassionate that a wingless bird could follow and a voiceless bird could sing until the silence becomes a song again and the follower sprouts wings, mercy that came into a world overrun with greed and hatred and seething malice, tenderly tearing asunder bone from marrow, heart from flesh, trembling sinew from aching muscle in its quest to break in twain the chains of the prisoner locked away in the darkest, most foul smelling dungeon deep in the pits of the eternal abyss. This, my friends, is mercy that breathes life anew into those dead in trespasses and soul destroying sin, mercy that trembles with grief at those needlessly lost in utter, everlasting damnation, mercy that weeps away the endless night-time hours of desperate prayers hitherto unheard. This is the mercy of a heartbroken Father for rebellious children defiantly shaking their tiny clenched fists up at an unforgiving sky, mercy that bleeds till the last drop is done. This, my brothers and sisters, is the mercy of Almighty God.
Anthony & all others, thank you for the words you have shared, baring your souls, exercising your minds and pouring your hearts into this post that we may all be enriched, encouraged and challenged to go deeper with God. Thanks Andrew for hosting, and indeed, as someone said earlier, may we all walk hand in hand, [full of His joy] someday, to worship Him and adore Him, together. Shalom.