Biblical Building Block #7 Admonish One Another (Romans 15:14) – PART 3

Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Biblical Building Blocks for Strengthening Relationships.”

Biblical Building Block #7 Admonish One Another (Romans 15:14) – PART 3
​
Romans 15:14, And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

Today is Part 3 and the Final Part of this current Biblical Building Block. We will be looking at five ways we can encourage others or ourselves. The writer of Hebrews instructed us to be patient, tenacious in our encouragement, and not give up on others. One of the main reasons for this fault is many believers are me minded instead of ministry minded. We can be so overwhelmed by our circumstances, problems, and difficulties that we are distracted from thinking of the needs of others. It is very difficult to give joy and encouragement when you don't have it yourself. Encouragement is very important in our own spiritual growth and in the growth and maturing of others. We need it because we tend to be discouraged by disappointments.

5 Ways We Can Encourage Others or Ourselves?
1. With My Speech
When geese fly in a V-formation, they can travel 72% farther than if they flew alone. They can do this by sharing the load of responsibility in leading the flock. When the lead or point goose tires, he drops back into the formation and another goose takes his place until he tires. The geese at the back of the formation fly in the wind draft of the birds ahead of them. They encourage the lead birds to keep up their speed and momentum by honking at them. Injured, weak, or sickly birds are encouraged by being accompanied by two geese who follow them down to the ground and protect them. We can learn a lot from the example of these birds in encouraging with our words those who are down and discouraged. Our words should encourage and inspire like the honk of a goose. Words that encourage are inspired by love and are directed toward the fears of the person needing encouragement. Words that encourage come from a person willing to get involved and sacrifice if need be. The Bible says our words are a very powerful source of encouragement (Proverbs 10:21; 12:18, 25; 15:23; 16:24; I Thessalonians 5:11).

2. With My Schedule
Another great way to encourage someone is take them under your wing and spend time with them. Teach them, answer their questions, and give them good counsel. It takes time to be an encourager. One way you can encourage visitors at your church is to invite them to sit with you during the service or invite them to lunch. One of the best ways to encourage yourself when you are down is to spend time helping other people.

3. With My Steadfastness
Alexander Solzhenitsyn was a prisoner in a Soviet prison in Siberia. He became so weak and discouraged that he wished he would die. The guards would beat and usually kill anyone that stopped working. He decided to stop working so that the guards would kill him. As soon as he did so, another Christian drew a cross where Alexander could see it. Alexander said that he was encouraged by remembering that God gives hope and courage. He decided to continue working because of a Christian who cared too much to let him give up. The tenacity of the Lord is a great source of encouragement to us and our tenacity can encourage others who need us. Do you know someone who has been rejected because of failure or other reasons? Why not seek them out and try to lift them up. Paul instructed us to do this in the letter to the Galatians.

4. With My Support
William Carey was able to reach people in India for Christ and translate the Bible into 11 languages because he had people in England who held the ropes for him. They encouraged him by praying for him consistently and by financially supporting him so he could give his full attention to his ministry. Just as these gifts encouraged him, our gifts can be a great source of encouragement to those who are especially desperate. Your gift may greatly strengthen someone who feels useless, ineffective or that no one cares. Thank you cards and gifts can be a great source of blessing to others. Barnabas and the Macedonian Christians are prime examples of people who used their financial resources to encourage other Christians (Acts 4; II Corinthians 8).

5. With My Sympathy
Tenderness goes a long way in encouraging others, especially when they are confronted continually with harshness. Our example, especially our love and tenderness, has a great impact upon others for good. Tenderness goes a long way in encouraging others. John 13:35, By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. We all need encouragement. Sometimes, life is downright frustrating! But we're not expected to endure it alone. Others who come beside us can help us through our hardships. A word of encouragement goes a long way. A man stopped to watch a Little League baseball game. He asked one of the youngsters what the score was. ”We’re losing 18-0,” was the answer. “Well,” said the man. ”I must say you don’t look discouraged.” “Discouraged?” the boy said puzzled. ”Why should we be discouraged? We haven’t come to bat yet.” Maybe your job demands increase faster than you can manage them. You may be feeling the burden of ridicule from your difficult boss and coworkers, or you could be watching someone else struggle with these things. If you need encouragement, know in advance where you can turn to find it. If you see someone else who needs it, be an encourager for them. Your kind word may give them the courage to go on.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Spirit inside me that urges me to encourage someone who is discouraged. How gracious that You choose to use me to help someone You love. Help me to see that as the privilege it is rather than a burden. In Jesus name, Amen.

Thank you for reading PART 3 of Biblical Building Block #7 of this series. Please visit this website tomorrow for Biblical Building Block #8 of this series.

If this post in any way, has blessed you,
please share this website and its articles with others:
www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com