The Ministry of Encouragement
Good morning, Immanuel. Each of us can participate in the ministry of encouragement.
“But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:19-22)
A key ministry of Paul was that of encouragement. He went from city to city to strengthen the souls of the disciples and to encourage them to continue in the faith. But there is another form of encouragement happening in these verses as well. Notice that after Paul was stoned and left for dead, the disciples 'gathered about him,' and he continued his ministry. The presence (and, no doubt, prayer) of the disciples was a powerful means of encouragement for Paul at one of his lowest points. These disciples were young in the faith, yet their presence was a powerful form of encouragement to the Apostle Paul.
Most of us will not have a ministry of encouragement that involves traveling from city to city like Paul. But we can all participate in the ministry of encouragement toward one another. We can 'gather about' one another to strengthen each other with our presence, prayers, and by pointing to Jesus. This happens in our day-to-day interactions with each other, and when we gather. For example, hearing the many voices sing every Sunday morning can remind us that God is good even when life is hard. Simply looking around at my brothers and sisters can remind me that I am not alone and that Jesus is not wasting our lives. Mutual encouragement is no small ministry in the family of God. Whether 'small' or 'great,' your ministry matters!
TENTH GENERATION PRAYER
Weekly on Fridays - Join us every Friday at 6 am in the Cafe for prayer as we seek the Lord for a long-term home in Nashville. Let’s see what the Lord will do!
Thank you Tony! This is beautiful and encouraging. I regularly see and hear you encouraging others. You are a great example of this
Tony, we are forever thankful for your encouragement, we’ll never forget our first encounter with you - the joy of laughter was so ministering to our hearts.