Friday December 01st, 2023
« Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters »
3 Give strength to hands that are tired, and to knees that tremble with weakness.
4 Tell everyone who is discouraged, “Be strong and don’t be afraid! God is coming to your rescue, coming to punish your enemies.”
5 The blind will be able to see, and the deaf will hear.
6 The lame will leap and dance, and those who cannot speak will shout for joy. Streams of water will flow through the desert;
7 the burning sand will become a lake, and dry land will be filled with springs. Where jackals used to live, marsh grass and reeds will grow.
8 There will be a highway there, called “The Road of Holiness.” No sinner will ever travel that road; no fools will mislead those who follow it.
A Christian may be smiling on the outside because he/she is accustomed to looking cheerful, whereas on the inside, the person could be going through a lot of challenges.
The ties and the hats we all wear to Church on Sunday cover the empty stomachs or the depressed thoughts of some workers in the Church.
Sometimes the Pastor is going through a marital crisis, but he/she still has to settle issues in the marriage of a Church member.
We need to look out for each other every now and then.
We need to pick up the phone and call that brother or sister to ask how they are doing.
We need to bring a gift, no matter how small to church once in a while to give someone.
Believe me, the one who is strengthening others also needs strengthening once in a while.
When you notice the commitment level of a particular brother or sister waning, before you accuse or judge them, find out how they are faring first. Checking on them, whether they are in Church or not, shows that you love them.
Sometimes, the devil brings suggestions to some of the strong Christians to drop out of the Christian race, but just a word of encouragement from you, a smile or a show of love can give them strength to continue in the race. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV says:
« 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. »
Even as General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, many years ago, I decided to resign because I thought the people I was praying and caring so much for did not care about me. It was a little girl whom God sent to bring me a cake that He used to bring me out of that depressed state. Even though I don’t like cake, I ate this one and ever since, I have not considered resigning again.
You don’t know the effect that a little encouragement could have on your brethren.
Show kindness to one another always.
Application – Look for at least one person in your Church today and just encourage the person. If you can give a gift, go ahead and do so.
Author: Bishop Enoch. A. Adeboye.
Edited by Naomie
Freely you received, freely you must give (Math 10:8) , kindly share this devotion, and the Lord will bless you for it .
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