LET US ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER
LET US ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER
This is a new year and already many of us have made well laid out plans for the next eleven months or there about. That is very good because it has often been said that “if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” However, no matter how “tight” our plans are; accidents happen. Things happen that we have no control over. Perhaps a sickness is diagnosed, or a loved one dies unexpectedly, or a bread winner loses their source of income, or maybe there is a flood or fire outbreak that destroys the whole property, or a child decides to come out of the closet. It could be anything. So when a terrible thing unexpectedly happens, who do we turn to? Or are there others who turn to us as soon as they are faced with unprecedented difficulties? Please come with me and meet someone who encouraged another.
When Jesus stepped out into His ministry and was baptised by John, on coming out of the Jordan river where He had been baptised the heavens opened “And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22 KJV This very profound declaration from God the Father to Jesus, is both an endorsement of Jesus (for the benefit of observers) and also a form of encouragement to Him. Jesus knew what He came to earth for and He knew it was not going to be a walk in the park. God the Father felt the need to let Him know they were in it together. He felt the need to encourage Him. Today, we can look forward to an eternity in Heaven because of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. But let us never imagine that the journey to Calvary was an easy one. It was not. Jesus actually pleaded with God to stop the plan of His crucifixion. But it was the will of God so He submitted to it. “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine. Luke 22:42 NLT
Borrowing from this, I want to charge us in this new season to be there for one another. Every blessed day is an opportunity to be of help to someone in need. Needs go beyond monetary or material value. There are deep emotional and spiritual needs which when met could save lives. The truth is nobody can go it alone. Quit being superman or super woman. That is a character in someone’s imagination and not a real being. It is not the time to be envious or bitter and angry at someone else’s growth and success. Do not kill yourself competing with your brother or sister. All scripture is for our instruction so let us be instructed by the following.
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17 KJV Let us not be “unfriendly friends”
“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10 KJV
After the exchange between God and Jesus at the Jordan, Jesus was empowered and strengthened to go on the 40 day fast and then subsequently resist temptation from the devil. If God felt the need to encourage Jesus , I think we should try to do the same for each other too. Husbands and wives, love each other and speak respectfully to one another. Support each other with words of encouragement. Appreciate each other for what each one brings to the family. Love the one you are with and quit comparing. It never does any good. Encourage the children too. They are never too young or too old to be encouraged. Let them know you are proud of them as they excel and do well. “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.” Colossians 3:21 KJV
Our God and Father encouraged Jesus, the Son; Let us encourage one another too.
OLUYINKA EGO-MARTINS ©