Encouragement

ENCOURAGEMENT

By Rodney Francis

We are living in days where it is important that we know how to encourage one another. There are so many negative and discouraging things happening in the world all around us in these times, and it is therefore very important that we build up each other in the purposes of Jesus Christ. When discouragement sets in, then God is unable to use us in any powerful way. We become self-conscious of our own problems rather than having faith to help others rise up out of their problems. Be encouraged to confess and speak out loud the positive promises of God. Jude 20 exhorts us: “But you, beloved, building (“edifying”) yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” The greatest way to encourage and build ourselves up is by praying in the Holy Spirit language – speaking in other tongues. When we speak in other tongues, we are by-passing our mind and intellect and are communicating directly to God spirit to Spirit. Even the devil does not understand what we are talking to God when we are speaking/praying in other tongues. Hallelujah! When we are built up in God then we are able to build others up in God.

The purpose of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit operating out of our lives is that we are speaking “edification (“the act or process of building up”) and exhortation (“a calling near; an admonitory encouraging and consolatory exhortation, invitation or entreaty” – Bullinger’s) and comfort (“solace; to cheer up”) to men” (see 1 Corinthians Chapter 14). Whatever God gives to us is for specific purposes. His purposes are that we know how to build one another up through encouragement by the Holy Spirit. When we are operating in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit we are building others up by the Holy Spirit. We miss out on so much when the Holy Spirit is not allowed to flow in and out of our lives.

DO NOT BELIEVE THE NEGATIVE VOICES

Sadly, there are many negative voices these days in Christian circles. Make very sure you know the will of God for your life and get on with doing that. There is nothing more fulfilling than knowing the will of God for your life and doing it. That is a great way to stay encouraged. We then know the truth of: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (see Romans Chapter 8). It is sad but true that so often the Christians biggest opponents are fellow Christians ~ people who should know better. I hate to think where I would be today if I had listened to and obeyed the advice that I have been given by some Christian leaders telling me that “The GFM Ministry is not of God, that I should be doing something else”, etc. I am glad I have stuck to that which I know that God called me to. The result is that we are touching multiplied thousands of lives today all around the world. All praise to Jesus!

Continually we are receiving E-Mails telling us how grateful people are to be receiving what we send out. Just recently we received a mail telling us of the positive changes they have seen in the Christian Leaders in their region as a result of the teachings they receive from this Ministry. That is good to know. They are encouraged and we are encouraged.

HOW ABOUT YOU?

So, how is it with you? Are you in a state of encouragement ~ or are you in a state of discouragement? If you are in a state of encouragement, are you encouraging others that you know so they can be more encouraged as well? If you are in a state of discouragement, what are you going to do about it? There are no positive answers for you in that state. You need to reach out to other positive Christians and allow them to speak encouragement into you; to build you up so your faith becomes much more active again. If you are not able to make contact with other positive Christians, then I encourage you to pray out loud in the tongues language and read the New Testament Books of Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. They are all Epistles written by the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and teach us of the positive blessings of God that we have when we are walking in right relationship with Jesus Christ. Know also that He has promised to be “with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). He Himself has also declared: “I will never leave you, nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). We have to believe what He has declared about us, and confess it positively so that we believe what Jesus says about us more than what any discouragement tries to tell us. Rise up in the Victory that Jesus has purchased for you!

DAVID ENCOURAGED HIMSELF

David went through a time of great distress. What did he do? “Now David was greatly distressed (“to be in distress, anxiety; implying a sore strait, from which there seems no way of escape” – Wilson’s Old Testament Word Study), for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved (“bitter”), every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened (“encouraged”) himself in the Lord his God” (1 Samuel 30:6). The result was: “So David recovered all” (1 Samuel 30:18). If David had not encouraged and strengthened himself he would have most likely lost everything. But he did encourage himself and won back all that he had lost.

We see David encouraging himself in Psalm 103, when he states: “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (verses 1-5). Believe those words and your soul will be lifted up out of discouragement!

We all have our times of distress, trials and testings. It is what we do in those times that determine what the results will be. Have you talked to your soul lately and reminded yourself of all the positive promises of God for you?

We need to learn from David and “encourage ourselves in the Lord”.
Build ourselves up!
Believe what God says more than what others ~ or ourselves ~ think.
God holds all the answers to our lives and future.
Give everything over to Him and see what He will do.
He is an amazing God Who wants the very best for us, but we have to play our part through believing and trusting Him at all times.

“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). We cannot be discouraged when we know that Jesus cares for us ~ continually! In the light of these wonderful promises, “Draw near (nearer) to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). Therefore, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble (“honest”), whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue (“that which gives man his worth, his efficiency, his moral excellence; hence, good quality, excellence of any kind” – Bullinger’s) and if there is anything praiseworthy ~ meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:6-9).

God has given to us everything we need to live a victorious life through Jesus Christ in the power of His olyHoly SpiritHHHoly Spirit. When we believe and act upon what He has provided for us, we cannot help but be encouraged and full of blessings and hope ~ in spite of the prevailing conditions/attitudes of the world around us.

In the light of all that Jesus has purchased for us, I declare encouragement to you. I speak edification to you and say “Rise up, O man/woman of God and walk and live in that Victory which He has purchased for you”. You are now an overcomer ~ a winner ~ in Jesus Christ through the power of the Mighty Holy Spirit Who raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Hallelujah! Love in our Living, All-Conquering, All-Loving Lord Jesus.

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