Spur One Another On

"Let us hold tightly without wavering

to the hope we affirm,

for God can be trusted to keep his promises.

Let us think of ways to motivate one another

to acts of love and good works.

And let us not neglect our meeting together,

as some people do,

but encourage one another,

especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."

Hebrews 10:23-24 NLT

The daily treatment was grueling, sapping her of all her strength and resolve.  

Maintaining a constant state of readiness while waiting for the resolution sent him into a state of exhaustion.

Loving her unsaved husband day after day while she prayed for his salvation seemed like an exercise in futility.

There are many times in life when my faith wavers, my resolve weakens and I wonder if I can carry on.  Everything I believe to be true begins to fade away, as if it were part of some distant dream.  What used to spur me on now sounds like empty words and false promises.  Will God renew my strength?  (Isaiah 40:31)  Is the Lord the God of planning and provision?  (Jeremiah 29:11, Matthew 6:31-33)  Can God truly change a heart?  (Daniel 3:16-20)

When I'm filled with doubt and fear, forgetting who God is and how He is able to save, I need a reminder.  (Zepheniah 3:17)  Other times, those around me are the ones who could stand to hear a word of truth spoken in love as they struggle in their faith.  We all have moments of weakness.  Thankfully, God has designed His family in such a way that we can hold each other up, urge one another on toward the truth, and fill in the gaps my weaknesses leave behind. (1 Corinthians 12:21-26)

Therefore, let us be committed to one another, looking for ways to embolden each other's faith.  When I see my brother or sister waver in their faith, instead of chastising or shaming them, may I make it my mission to encourage them, using the Word of God to spur them on as I remind them of the truth that has grown dim in their heart.  Likewise, when I enter into a period of drought, feeling the strength of my own faith slipping away, may I make the effort to seek out the company of other believers where my hope can be renewed through prayer and support.  We need each other.

It reminds me of a stand of timber that withstood a sudden storm.  The trees that grew in close proximity to one another were better able to survive the onslaught as they leaned on each other and helped to shield each other from the wind and elements.  Those that stood alone, however, sustained much damage.  

In a world where I am encouraged to go it alone, to bear my own burdens and to suck it up and carry on, God reminds me of the contradictory message found in His word.  He created His family with intention, making each member like a piece of a puzzle that fits perfectly together.  He means for us live in community with one another, spurring each other on to live the life God has called us to live, no matter our circumstances.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can think of ways to give confidence to those who are struggling.

When do I need a boost of confidence?  Do I seek others out or do I keep it to myself?

How am I guilty of trying to go it alone?  

Flow of Comfort

"All praise to God,

the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God is our merciful Father

and the source of all comfort.

He comforts us in all our troubles

so that we can comfort others.

When they are troubled,

we will be able to give them the same comfort 

God has given us."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT

If you've watched any television recently, you know that we live in a cold-hearted world.  From reality shows where only the strong survive and an every-man-for-himself mentality is fostered, to sitcoms where fathers are portrayed as buffoons and children as the only ones capable of making an informed decision, there is no doubt that this world is sorely lacking in compassion and godly values.

Living in this kind of a cruel and ruthless world, it is easy for me to become the same.  Therefore, it is important for me to stay in the flow of comfort that occurs in the Body of Christ.  This spring of eternal encouragement and reassurance in the face of difficulty gives purpose to suffering for it's use as a tool in the Father's hands to mold us into more compassionate people.

Source of the Flow

Blood mingled with sweat flowed to the ground, blending with the dry soil to make a kind of holy mud.  The very life that seeped out of the One who hung suffering on the cross served to make the disobedient and defiant right with God.  

The compassion of our Heavenly Father is most powerfully and undeniably demonstrated in Christ's sacrificial death. (Romans 5:8)  He gave His precious Son to those who didn't even know of our need or who, frankly, didn't care to be saved.  He anticipated our need for a Savior before we even knew we needed Him.

The character of God is love, and He is the source of all good things.  (1 John 4:8, James 1:17) My road to compassionate living begins with my Father:  He is the headwaters of this river of kindess.

To enter into the flow of comfort, I must be in relationship with the Source through faith in Christ Jesus, who gave His all that I might live. (Mark 10:45)

In My Troubles

He lay there beside the healing waters for 38 years; so close to freedom from the sickness that wracked his body, yet so far.  Tradition had it that angels stirred the waters of Bethesda every so often.  The first of the sick, blind, lame or paralyzed who entered her waters was miraculously healed.  This was the man's only hope: his source of salvation.

One day Jesus came along.  When He saw the man whom He had created to live life to the full lying there in despair beside the waters he asked, "Would you like to get well?" (John 5:6)  Even though the troubled man knew not from where his true healing would come, Jesus instantly made him well.  

Do I want to be healed from what holds me back from living my life as Jesus created me to live?  It could be physical, spiritual or emotional healing that I seek, but I must look to the Great Physician as the only source of wholeness.  When I'm ready, He will comfort me like no other; sending brothers and sisters alongside me to support, granting me a sense of peace in my heart, and encouraging me through the assurance that He has everything under control.

To receive the flow of comfort, I must be willing to receive the support He offers.

Enables me to Comfort

He was hated by most Jews.  His colorful, diverse background was despised by the people who called themselves God's own.  Even so, when he saw the poor man suffering as the result of the cruelty of another, he was compelled to help out of great compassion for his predicament, despite the fact that the victim was a Jew. (Luke 10:30-37)

The kindness God has shown me during times of great suffering and pain overflows to others in their time of need.  Since I am loved deeply by God, I am empowered to love others in the same way, just as the Good Samaritan did.

Unfortunately, that flow is sometimes blocked by fear or selfishness.  If my comfort, well-being or reputation is more important on my list of priorities, then God's love will not flow.  If my attention is more on my life, my desires and my plan, then God's love will not flow.

To allow the flow of comfort to pour from me, I must be willing to put God first, above all other concerns.

Even though I live in a dark, mean world, I am not destined to become the same.  Instead, I can let the flow of comfort gush forth by encouraging the relationship I have with the Father of Compassion, to allow Him to comfort me in all my troubles, and to keep the river of love flowing through me.  In this way, the flow of comfort will flood into every part of my life.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can pay attention to my Source of all good things.

How do I block the flow of compassion in my life?

When am I afraid to reach out to someone in need?  

The Great Adviser

Who is like the LORD our God,
   the One who sits enthroned on high,
who stoops down to look
   on the heavens and the earth?

 He raises the poor from the dust
   and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes,
   with the princes of his people.
He settles the childless woman in her home
   as a happy mother of children.

Psalm 113:5-9

Dr Phil, Oprah, Dear Abby, mother, father, best friend, self-help books, therapist, pastor. . . There are many sources for advice, encouragement and help in this world, but there is no one like our God!

God is Sovereign   When I need to make a decision, its easy to get caught up in asking for advice from many people.  While it is true that, "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed," (Proverbs 15:22) it doesn't mean my main source of advice should be human. "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps." (Proverbs 16:9)  God is sovereign, and if I want to know the plan He has for my life, I must go to Him!  (Jeremiah 29:11)

God is Omniscient    When I am down, there is nothing that feels better than a bit of encouragement from a friend, or a stranger for that matter.  But when I make God my main source for lifting me up when I feel down, I will never be disappointed.  Job found this out the hard way when he turned to his friends for encouragement in a time of great trial in his life when he lost his family, his wealth and his health.  His friends started out supporting him, but in the end they blamed it all on him, saying that God must be punishing Job for some unconfessed sin.  Not very encouraging!  But when God spoke, He began to put everything in perspective by asking, "Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?"  (Job 38:4)  In the end, God was not pleased with Job's friends for they did not speak the truth about Him.  (Job 42:9) Listen to the message God sent to Balak through Balaam, "God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act?  Does he promise and not fulfill?"  (Number 23:19) There is no better source of encouragement than our God who always knows what to say, and will never speak the wrong thing!

God is our Help   I remember driving down the road with my four young daughters some years ago and suddenly feeling the tell-tale "bump" of a flat tire.  The first thing I did was call AAA to come and help me.  How many times do I turn to other sources but never call on God?  "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1)  I will never forget the feeling of helplessness when a 6.8 earthquake hit Washington state back in 2001.  As my daughters and I huddled in the hallway for an excruciatingly long 48 seconds, we cried out to God, knowing there was no one else who could help us. There is no one like our God!

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will remember to acknowledge God in all my ways.

Where am I turning to others before seeking counsel from the Lord?

When do I trust in my own resources instead of on the one who owns the cattle on a thousand hills?