Tuesday, August 14, 2012

What Is An Easy Way To Serve God? 1 Thessalonians 5:11 W

There are times when we feel like there is nothing we can do for God. We know we should be serving in church or community or some other way, but we don't seem to find our place. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 gives a good easy place to start.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV.

ENCOURAGE
So many people around us need encouragement. There are those struggling with silent private issues and some who are having desperate times. We have the opportunity to do more good than programs and sermons and spending expensive resources; it is simple- it is by being an encouragement. You can do this easily by cheering them on from the sidelines, or you can come alongside and bear the weight in their struggles.

We have many reasons to encourage one other. We want to encourage others because...

     * We share great salvation.
     * The Bible commands us to.
     * To be able to encourage is a gift you may have.
     * We share God's forgiveness.
     * We experience God's grace.
     * We share the Gift of the Holy Spirit.
     * We have the eternal promises in the word.
     * We are part of the blessing of the church.
     * Remember the time will come when we ourselves will need encouragement.

ONE ANOTHER

The phrase "one another" implies community; it suggests that the Christians are woven into each other's lives. We do not live life only unto ourselves, but as Christians, we are part of a living thing called the church. We must be lovingly involved in each other's lives.

BUILD UP
We build each other up by reminding each other of God's mercy, purpose, and salvation.

     * We can share our own experiences.
     * We can teach the word.
     * We can do acts of service.
     * We can reaffirm the positive.
     * We can pray together.
     * We can commit ourselves to our brothers and sisters who need encouragement.
     * We can simply communicate words of encouragement by letter, email, or phone call.

YOU ARE DOING

Paul paid attention to things. He knew his flock, and he knew what was happening in the lives of those to who he ministered. We need to pay attention to our friends and pray for God to show us when and how they need encouragement.

To encourage and build up our brothers and sisters in the Lord, we must do it on purpose. It just doesn't happen on its own; we must be committed to the fellowship of the faith and stand with our brothers and sisters in their struggles.

To learn more about knowing God personally, visit my other blog. Click here.

(c)Adron Dozat 8/14/12