Why We Must Encourage One Another

"They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith." - Acts 14:21-22

It had not been that long since Paul and Barnabus had been with those new converts. Why was it necessary to strengthen and encourage them so soon. The reason is that Christians are like a new plant, that must be nurtured - encouraged so that it can mature and stand on its own. But the thing is that the As Christians, we were not meant to be on our own. We have a vertical relationship with God and a horizontal relationship with other Christians that must be maintained.

The Church is like a football team, if you will. Everyone has their role - their gifts or skills. They work as a team - not just 12 heroes lining up to win the game on their own - but one team. The same for the Body of Christ, the Church. A running back cannot run far if the linemen are not doing their job of making a hole in the defense that gives the running back a path to take. The players may physically work out on their own, but they play as a team - mutually supporting one another.

Those players don't sleep on the couch during the week and then show up for the game on Sunday. They study, they condition, they practice, and then they play. We had a saying in the Army that you fight the way you train. If you don't prepare beforehand then when the time comes, you won't do well.  Another thing I would say is that "you don't have to practice be miserable". But you do have to train hard and well so that you can persevere when the going gets tough.

Another thing to consider is that if you don't keep after it, persist in your preparation you will atrophy - get soft and vulnerable if you will. Well, there is a spiritual atrophy that can set in for the same reasons. Paul was like a coach - encouraging the baby Christians to press on with their faith. That is my goal in writing these devotions. There is a song - there is always a song :) with me!

"Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love. Here is my heart, take and seal it. Seal it for Thy courts above."

That should be written on a card and taped to your bathroom mirror or refrigerator door or maybe the dashboard in your car. Keep pressing. 

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:13-14

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone