Encourage #2
Sometime we find it hard to encourage ourselves; to stay motivated and focused on our goal [Christ]. Sometimes we don’t find ourselves surrounded by a chorus of encouragement from fellow believers (it’s not their fault; perhaps we have isolated ourselves a little or circumstance has done this). But we are not alone; we can still find encouragement through the Holy Spirit who is with us always!
After Saul [aka Paul] had met with Christ on the Damascus road, lost and regained his sight etc…
… the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord. (Acts 9:31 NIV)
That excites me so much!
Sometimes when we are feeling down or discouraged we can really ‘wallow’ in it; it just seems hard to avoid sometimes. But how can we be discouraged when we have Christ with us [the hope of glory]?! It’s madness. Therefore we can be sure that discouragement Is not a place where God will leave us. This is why He left us His Holy Spirit. Not so that we can perform incredible miracles in Jesus’ name, or receive history changing prophetic words or anything else exciting like that – although we witness all of this through the Holy Spirit’s presence on our lives. He is in our lives primarily as our counsellor, comforter, and encourager! We are filled by the Holy Spirit so that he can encourage us and by this we will grow.
How do you know when you are responding to the encouragement of the Holy Spirit? When you take pleasure in serving God; not because it puts you head and shoulders above the rest of us Christians but because it is simply what is expected of you and it is great to do something/anything for God.
If Monday finds you down, know that the Holy Spirit is encouraging you right now. Do not shun him or ignore his whispers in your heart. His words are full of truth and he will draw your attention to the truth and the truth is you are God’s and his alone!
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.” (Jam 4:7-8 NIV)
After Saul [aka Paul] had met with Christ on the Damascus road, lost and regained his sight etc…
… the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord. (Acts 9:31 NIV)
That excites me so much!
Sometimes when we are feeling down or discouraged we can really ‘wallow’ in it; it just seems hard to avoid sometimes. But how can we be discouraged when we have Christ with us [the hope of glory]?! It’s madness. Therefore we can be sure that discouragement Is not a place where God will leave us. This is why He left us His Holy Spirit. Not so that we can perform incredible miracles in Jesus’ name, or receive history changing prophetic words or anything else exciting like that – although we witness all of this through the Holy Spirit’s presence on our lives. He is in our lives primarily as our counsellor, comforter, and encourager! We are filled by the Holy Spirit so that he can encourage us and by this we will grow.How do you know when you are responding to the encouragement of the Holy Spirit? When you take pleasure in serving God; not because it puts you head and shoulders above the rest of us Christians but because it is simply what is expected of you and it is great to do something/anything for God.
If Monday finds you down, know that the Holy Spirit is encouraging you right now. Do not shun him or ignore his whispers in your heart. His words are full of truth and he will draw your attention to the truth and the truth is you are God’s and his alone!
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.” (Jam 4:7-8 NIV)
-Andrew Carey
posted by Andrew at 9:02 am
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