God Speaking

“I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.”

(Colossians 4: 8)

Our church is doing a series of sermons on characters of the New Testament and last week Barnabas was the chosen one. The theme of the sermon was about encouraging others and when you start to see how many verses contain this message you realise how important encouragement is in building relationships not only in our church, but in the way we live our lives. The Pastor chose Barnabas because he demonstrated this beautiful quality in his life. One of the outstanding stories is when Paul had a falling out with Mark, a young follower and decided not to take him on the next trip (Acts 15: 37). Barnabas saw beyond this failing of Mark’s and encouraged him to stay with his faith. This encouragement resulted later in Mark writing the first gospel of the New Testament. 

Encouraging others is a central part in the growing of the new church of believers and is emphasised in many of the letters to the new churches spreading through the gentile believers.  

“We have sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker, in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith.” (1 Thessalonians 3: 2)

At the end of chapter 4 in this same letter, Paul reminds them to be encouraged by what they have learnt about their Savior Christ and to constantly remind others. 

“Therefore encourage each other with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4: 18)

One of my daughters was telling me about a wonderful teacher her little girl, my granddaughter, had this year in the grade she was in. This teacher saw the potential in each child and constantly encouraged them to reach beyond expectations. My little granddaughter loved her and by the end of the school year was reading and spelling way beyond the expected level for her age. 

We can do the same for others in our lives and within our church family to encourage others to see the beautiful gifts God has given each of us to use for His glory. 

Encouraging children is a very important part of parenting and too often we hear sad stories about adults sharing that they never were praised for what they did when they were children. Sometimes some of us have the mistaken idea that perhaps God is disappointed in us. We fail to hear his encouraging words he is constantly saying to us. He is a faithful and loving Father, and we are his children, he is constantly encouraging us that we need to listen to his voice. 

“How great is the love that the Father has lavished upon us that we should be called the children of God and that is what we are.” (1 John 3: 1)

He is always there to encourage us and because of his great love we can then encourage others around us.