THE MINISTRY OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Take a listen to the world around you. Complaint. Bitterness. Anger. Frustration. Fears. Wars and rumors of wars.

As Christians, none of this takes us by surprise because life is difficult, the economy is very tight for many, and relational hurt and disappointment abound. Christians are not immune to these problems. Often, it’s a challenge to not join right in with the grumbling. 

You’ve probably heard the old phrase: “Life is hard, but God is good.” Well, we know the “God is good” part, but all that some people know is that “life is hard.” Therefore, Jesus calls us to be different. We are those who can bring light, life, hope, vibrancy, passion, energy, and encouragement to the downcast and to the hopeless. Yes, it may be dark, but the light can shine most brightly in the darkest times. These can be our best times to shine for Him!

As our nation is poised potentially for war, fears and frustrations are mounting. People in this area have loved ones who are in the military service, who may be heading (or are already there)--to a region of the world they never expected to see. They may be able to communicate very little, if at all, with family and friends who remain here.

Let us bring LIFE to people. Let us bring them encouragement. Let us not join in with the office gossip and backbiting, with the negative tones of anger, but instead, let us demonstrate the radiance and strength of Jesus Christ. Let us be quick to pray, to offer words of comfort and hope, to share Jesus with people who need Him.

Jesus read these following words in the midst of the synagogue as He began His public ministry:

Luke 4:18-19, 21

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord…
Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.