Do you need some encouragement today? Come talk to a mentor.

“When he (Saul) came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.  But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.” (Acts 9:26-27)    

Shortly after Saul’s conversion, he traveled to Jerusalem hoping to join the other disciples. However, they were fearful and doubtful of Saul’s sincerity because of his former persecution against the church. Fortunately, Barnabas, whose name means “Son of Encouragement”, accepted and brought Saul (later called Paul) to the apostles regardless of their apprehension. Barnabas recognized Saul’s sincerity and was able to encourage the others that their former enemy was now on their side as a true believer. As a result, Saul was able to remain in Jerusalem, join the other apostles, and speak boldly in the name of the Lord.          

Not only did Barnabas play a vital role in the apostle’s lives, he touched the hearts of many other early Christians as well. He spent a whole year with Saul in Antioch encouraging, teaching, and witnessing to the ever-increasing number of new believers (Acts 11:22-26). Barnabas spent time with new members of God’s family offering them hope and encouragement.    

At some point in time, whether a seasoned believer, a newbie Christian, or starting afresh in a brand-new church, you will face times of discouragement. Fortunately, through God’s Word, indwelling Spirit, prayer and fellowship with other believers, comfort, support, and encouragement awaits you. To have a “Barnabas” as a friend would be advantageous. In fact, God has bestowed the gift of encouragement (Romans 12:6, 8) upon particular Christians to fill this particular need in the body of Christ.

If you are discouraged, do not allow feelings of loneliness keep you from reaching out. Pray to God who knows all and be brave to reach out to others. In Hebrews 10:24-25 it is written, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” The enemy wants to see you remain captive. However, God wants to encourage, strengthen, and lift you out of the mud. He wants to set you free from the spirit of discouragement so you can carry out His good deeds.    

If you are one of God’s encouragers, a Barnabas, may you be aware and attentive to those who God may bring your way during these upcoming weeks. Through the power of the Holy Spirit within you, may you spur, enlighten, and stir up hope to those whom are in need of encouragement.  

Father God, May we purposely set out to serve, help, and encourage one another. May we not look out for our own interest but to all whom are hurting, especially those in the body of Christ.  In Jesus name, Amen   

Questions: Are you or someone you know experiencing a difficult time? How does Christ encourage you? How can you encourage someone in your life?

The Royal Gorge Bridge in Cañon City, Colorado was completed in 1929 at a cost of $350,000. (The relative cost today would be approximately $15 million dollars.) The bridge spans 1,260 feet and stands 150 feet above the ground below.

As the bridge just passed it’s 100 year anniversary, it seems to be holding up quite well: There are no signs of it collapsing. The bridge is held together by 2,100 strands of galvanized wire. Individually, each wire could easily be snapped. But working together in tandem with each other, they are able to support the entire weight of the bridge, plus much more. This allows the bridge to remain a significant tourist attraction for hundreds of tourists every year, even though it is nearly a century old.

By working together, we can achieve much more than we can on our own. The author of Hebrews exhorts us to “not give up meeting together … but let us encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:25). In Acts we read about the early church, and how they would meet together in order to encourage each other (Acts 2:42-48).

This often will be difficult, since our churches are sadly sometimes filled with strife and argument instead of encouragement and fellowship. This is why Paul teaches us to “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13)

Our work with our fellow Christians is too important to ignore. We as frail individuals are like thin strands of wire: Weak individually, but when mutually supporting one another, enabled to do so and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are strong.

Question: Do you sometimes find it uncomfortable when meeting with other believers? Why or why not?

He lives more than a thousand miles away and I only see him a few times a year, but every time I walk into his store, he makes me feel very special… like I am the only person in the world who matters to him. He is never at a loss for encouraging words. His name is Chatman.

After I saw him this week, I resolved to try to be more like him… an encourager for other people. It is amazing what we can do when people take the time to be a source of encouragement in our lives.

Encouragement of others is a powerful leadership tool and deals with basic communication skills. The most effective way to encourage others is to show genuine interest and acknowledge what’s important to them. When we show interest, we affirm and validate.

Applaud their victories and show compassion in their defeats. When others encourage you, always reciprocate the favor and encourage them and then when respond with something unexpected. Ask for advice from others, for it makes them feel special. Offer to lend a hand, for when people see you are willing to lend your own time and energy to their interests, they will become more committed to seeing it through and less likely to give up on themselves.

We all need to be lifted up and encouraged at times and the Bible is the greatest source for encouragement, far greater than any human encouragement. The Bible is the living word of God and feeds us through the promises of God found in scripture.

1. Paul tells us we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. (Philipians 4:13)
2. Isaiah tells us to fear not, for he is with us and we must not dismayed for He is our God and will strengthen us, help us and will uphold us with the right hand of His righteousness. (Isaiah 41)
3. Jeremiah reminds us that God will be found by those who seek him, and will prosper those who find him. (Jeremiah 29:13)

The Bible is replete with hundreds of words of encouragement and I need to pay more attention to them and always be ready to share them with all who come my way, but I will also look forward to my next visit with Chatman, for nothing is quite like words of encouragement coming from those who care for us and expect nothing in return.

I haven’t really been bored in years but I came to a place where I wasn’t sure I was using my time as efficiently as I could be.

Could boredom be a gift from God? I see boredom as a gift from God in the same way that hunger, thirst, and pain are. They are indicators that something is wrong. If I am filling my life and time with meaningless activities, I find myself hungering for more.

I was born for more than my own entertainment. I was born for more than being nice and good and socializing and living a “full” life by worldly standards. The Bible says, “to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). Life is about Him. Any other way of living other than that defined by the life of Christ is simply not life.

So what should I be doing then? When I looked in the Bible to see what I should be doing with my time, it gave me endless tasks.

•  “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today…” (Hebrews 3:13) – Do you encourage people? Do you do it daily? Call someone now just to encourage them.
• “Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) – These are things the Bible tells us to be doing continually, all the time, even right now.
• “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” – Matthew 7:12 – What is something other people do that makes you happy? Think of some things you like and do them for other people.
• “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19,20 – Simply spread the word. It doesn’t mean you have to force Jesus into every conversation and down everyone’s throats, but simply love and serve in ways that only Jesus did. People notice.
• “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’” – Matthew 25:35,36 – Feed someone or buy them a drink, get to know the new guy and invite him over or out sometime, clothe and look after the homeless, visit the sick and imprisoned. Christ considers these things you are doing for Him directly.
• “Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’” – Luke 9:23 – This is something Christ calls us to do daily. Today I’ve got to deny myself, die to sin and my old ways, and follow.
• “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.” – Philippians 4:8,9 – The Bible is not even silent about what we should be thinking about. What kind of things do I think about?

The Bible is full of so many more passages like these. Living the life God has outlined for us will bring a greater joy and satisfaction than we could ever hope for.

Question: Are you bored? How can you implement some of the things outlined above into your life today?

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in [a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:18-19)

It was five am. Twenty young men gathered in the dark of the morning in running shorts and shoes dreading the next twelve minutes of their lives.  The instructions were pretty clear: “You’ve got twelve minutes to run two miles. Go.”

We were athletes, but not professionals, and certainly not runners. It was awful, but we knew that if we all made the time, we would never have to do this again. Twelve minutes later, lungs searing, legs weakening, some of us were still running. To our chagrin, we returned the next morning, and the next, and the next.  We kept at it until every man made the designated time.

Each morning we cheered our slower comrades on until someone got a bright idea: “Get behind them!” Everyone started to clue in. If we all took a few hundred yards and pushed our teammates, even slightly, we could help them remarkably! It was a revolutionary realization.

If we truly want to help someone, it’s best to come alongside him. Encouragement works the same way. Cheering from the sidelines can help somewhat, but physically being there is immeasurably better.

This is not a new idea. It’s ancient! In fact, the original meaning of the word “encouragement” refers to someone who is urging you on, while being close to you. It’s both vocal and proximal – it’s spoken and present. It’s a plea to continue on strong and a hand to help you do it.

Don’t just cheer from the sidelines. Get your hands dirty too. The Holy Spirit, our Comforter, is present with us because we need Him. His presence is life giving. If God has drawn near to us through His Spirit, isn’t it natural that we should be there for others too?

Pray: “Father God, thank You for Your Holy Spirit who is the Comforter. Spirit of God, dwell in me. Give me a love for others that naturally seeks to encourage them. Give me the humility and the confidence to draw near to my neighbor and physically help him in his time of need. Amen.”

Question: How have you been encouraged in the past?

Those who’ve seen Jean Louis Gerome Ferris’ painting commemorating the first Thanksgiving are likely to be misled by the artist’s rendering.

The Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts on Dec. 26, 1620.  Lacking sufficient provisions and shelter for winter, most settlers became ill within weeks.  Ten of the 17 husbands and fathers died with the “first infection,” and of the 17 wives, only three were alive after three months.  By April, more than half of the population had died of disease or famine.  These bleak circumstances were punctuated by other forms of human tragedy.  For example, William Bradford’s wife drowned as they disembarked from the Mayflower, leaving him a widower with a 1-year-old son.

Summer of 1621 brought a welcome reprieve from the harsh environment.  The Wampanoag Indians taught the Pilgrims to plant corn because the wheat they’d brought from England wouldn’t grow in the rocky ground.  The colonists also learned how to hunt and fish in their new surroundings.  Yet that fall, when they gathered for their first Thanksgiving, they were aware that the trials they’d encountered were not over.  In fact, a month later the settlers were restricted to half-rations.  And it was several more years before this small band enjoyed lasting freedom from hunger.

As the Pilgrims grappled with hardship, how were they able to maintain the spirit of gratitude toward God that resulted in the three-day celebration we honor by our Thanksgiving holiday? What can we learn from these forefathers that will help us remain thankful in a modern-day world when discouragement, calamity and heartache invade our lives?

Trust in God’s provision

The Pilgrims cultivated a habit of gratefulness long before they sailed to America’s shores. Traditionally, they set aside days of communal thanksgiving throughout the year to acknowledge God’s mercies and praise Him for His faithfulness.  This religious practice had deeply ingrained an attitude of thankfulness that could not be shaken by life’s events.  Whether expressing gratitude for everyday survival or a situation deemed the special providence of God, their trust in the Lord’s goodness and divine plan allowed them to find solace and strength to face adversity.  They understood that their endeavors were of eternal consequence and drew purpose from the belief that their accomplishments were, according to the Mayflower Compact, “for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith.”

What a contrast this outlook is with that of today’s culture.  In a recent Barna poll, 92 percent of people responded that they are “self-sufficient.”  Another survey revealed that many Americans feel the main purpose in life is personal fulfillment.  Given these perspectives, it’s not surprising that individuals often feel overwhelmed by emptiness and despair when difficulties arise. Counteracting the resulting sense of hopelessness and lack of control may seem a daunting task.

However, we have the same choice that our predecessors had: We can depend entirely on ourselves, or we can turn to the Almighty for help. Knowing that a right spiritual perspective is critical when dealing with painful setbacks, Gov. John Winthrop concluded a message to his fellow settlers with Deuteronomy 30:20. Winthrop said, “For He (the Lord) is our life and our prosperity.” A thankful heart sees each day through the lens of God’s providential care.

Fellowship of support

In addition to being bound together by faith, those who came to this new land were linked by a physical interdependence that is uncommon today.  With few resources, the colonists bore one another’s burdens in a manner that we can only imagine.  In view of this necessity, an essay titled A Christian Model of Charity called on the colonists to “knit together in this work as one man…make one another’s condition our own, rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together.”  In this way, the writer said, they would “keep the unity of the Spirit.”

This bond of brotherhood was reflected by the more than 50 Pilgrims who attended the first Thanksgiving feast.  The group spanned generations, from toddler Oceanus Hopkins to 53-year-old William Brewster, and hired servants to seamen.

Approximately 90 Wampanoag Indians joined the festivities as well.  Although they differed greatly from the Pilgrims in culture and religious beliefs, they too valued fellowship and hospitality.  Their willingness to share their food and expertise with the new arrivals had helped ensure the Pilgrims’ survival.  Now the Wampanoags participated in the time of rejoicing as the settlers harvested their first crops.

There’s an old saying: “Shared joy is double joy, and shared sorrow half the sorrow.”  Thanksgiving through the centuries has provided unique opportunities to express love and appreciation for others, as well as to come alongside those in need. Even on those occasions when we are hurting, we can find consolation in doing something for others.  Thankfulness is multiplied as we reaffirm our sense of community and bridge our differences through Christ’s love.

The Pilgrim’s gratitude flourished against the ravages of circumstances because they held fast to their belief in a sovereign, loving Creator and found comfort and support in one another.  Whether then or now, in an uncertain world, the relationships we have with God and those around us are enduring reasons to give thanks.

Take the next step:

Being thankful changes who we are
Sharing a verse at Thanksgiving: One family’s tradition

“The Son of Man is going to come in the Glory of His Father with His Angels.” (Matthew 16:27)

The TV on the wall of my office is on constantly and tuned on mute to a popular news network. As I look at it throughout the day, it is a continuum of horror stories – riots, shootings, natural disasters and financial ruin.

We are engaged in wars we cannot win and greed and corruption have at all levels created a world debt that cannot be repaid.  I just watched police in riot gear clashing with hundreds of rioters, as fires were raging out of control, while looters combed the area, as the stock ticker in the bottom of the screen was showing financial markets in a free-fall.

It is with firm conviction that I believe we are near the end of our world as we know it. It is a question of what will get us first, financial collapse, weapons of mass destruction from without or moral decay from within.

From a realistic worldly perspective, there is little reason for encouragement. But, for those of us who know and love the Lord Jesus Christ, His reign in glory is a comforting and thrilling promise that fills us with great hope and anticipation. Like the saints under the heavenly alter in Revelation 6:9-10, we wonder how long the Lord will allow the world to go its sinful way before intervening in sovereign power and bringing righteousness, equity and justice to the world.

With the Psalmist, I wonder “How long, O God, will the adversary revile, and may the enemy spurn your name forever?” (Psalm 74:10) As I look out at the world, I have every reason to feel defeated and discouraged, but God created me for eternal fellowship with him and through Christ gave me the key to entry for that eternal relationship.

Every day when I read the newspaper or listen to the news it is a parade of horrors, but I just finished reading Heaven Revealed, by Dr. Paul Enns and he showed me how the scriptures describe what heaven will be like and I look forward with great anticipation to enjoying it forever. I will be relieved from the aches and pains of this old body and from the disasters of this world.

Heaven is much more than a place to spend eternity. It is also the place where God and Jesus Christ the Lamb live, a place where we don’t have to see darkly as through a smoked glass, but where we can see our Lord and Redeemer face to face. He promises that forever, “They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” (Rev. 21:3) What a fabulous promise!

Questions: How do you deal with the troubles of the world? How can you place more focus on your heavenly destination?