We are to comfort one another

1 Thessalonians 4:18 “Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

The word “comfort” in this passage in the original Greek is the word “Parakaleo” which means to call to one’s side, call for or summon. The picture here is one where someone walks alongside of another, providing comfort, even exhortation as they walk along the road of life. Jesus told his disciples in John 14:16, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;” (KJV). The (NIV) uses the word, “Advocate”. The Holy Spirit is the one that the Father has sent to be with us, and in us, so that He might comfort and direct our steps as we walk the Christian life.

Each member of the Godhead is our source and supply for comfort in our walk in Christ. 

The Father            2 Corinthians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of                                   mercies and God of all comfort”.

                           Romans 15:5 “Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward                             one another, according to Christ Jesus”. 

Jesus the Son       2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and                                        Father,who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by                                                grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.” 

Holy Spirit            Acts 9:31,“Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and                                  were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit,                                        they were multiplied.” 

The Word of God, the Bible, is a huge source of our comfort:

 · Romans 15:4 tells us, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” 

· 1 Thessalonians 4:18 

Each Believer is to comfort: 

· “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11) 

· “Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts” (Colossians 4:7–8) 

· “Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.” (Colossians 4:10–11)

In what way do we comfort one another?

· With the comfort we each have received from God – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

· We receive comfort through our individual relationship with God and we receive comfort through our relationship with one another.

We are blessed to have so many different sources of comfort available to us as God’s children!

As we look at these verses we begin to understand the importance of involvement in the local church? Unless we are active members, actively comforting one another...we miss out, and our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ miss out, on the comfort God offers His people!

God intends for us to receive comfort from two angles: Vertically, through our relationship with Him and horizontally, through our relationship with one another in the local church!

Why would we deprive ourselves of the great blessing of comfort from God? Why would we shortchange ourselves when God desires us to have comfort "coming and going"? We hurt not only ourselves, but our fellow brethren as well! 

These words of Jesus ought to move us to action in the area of giving and receiving comfort in the body of Christ. 

“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:41–46)

Blessings for today!

Your Care Pastor                                                                                                                                                                                                     Dave Knight

How to Become an Effective Encourager within the Body of Christ 
                     

1) Be Willing to Receive Encouragement.

Sometimes pride can get in the way of receiving encouragement. It can even keep us from asking for encouragement from others when we are hurting. I find it interesting that when I hit my thumb with a hammer or get a paper cut, how my other hand quickly rushes to hold the other hand.  I don’t even have to think about it. It automatically rushes to the aid of the hurting member. My hurting hand just accepts the aid of the other hand. Just as our human body reacts naturally to hurt and pain; we as the body of Christ need to acknowledge our weaknesses and come forward for help. Some of us try to tough it out and have a stiff upper lip when we could more quickly be restored by receiving some encouragement. 

On the other hand…we need to be careful that we don’t take advantage of others and demand that they make us feel secure, loved, and appreciated. Are you thankful to God when He graciously sends someone to encourage you, or are you angry at people who fail to make you feel better? Graciously receiving grace and care is better than demanding things from God and others.

2) Take the Lead Creatively

(Heb. 10:24, 25) “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Those who are effective in encouragement spend time prayerfully reflecting on this issue when they are not with the person. 

I've noticed that when I come to meetings prepared with my thoughts and ideas ahead of time; the meeting seems to me to go better and smoother and it’s more enjoyable because I’m not depending on the teacher, leader to do all the labor (trying to pull ideas out of folks). I find that the meeting went so much better for the leader and everyone else when I’m prepared to serve and come along side.

The same thing is true when it comes to attendance at church or ABF. When we plan to be there consistently, and be supportive and responsive it encourages the Pastor, Teacher, Praise Team and others when they see that those attending are supportive and involved. Prepare yourself before you arrive. Ask God to use you and work through you to be an encouragement to others. That way, you will be useful in God’s hands to build up the body of Christ.

When it comes to our spouse and close friends we sometimes drop the ball when it comes to encouraging them because we are comfortable with them and think that somehow they “already know these things.”

• Become a Good Listener.

James 1:19 “This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;”

God has been showing me lately how selfish and self-centered I am.  When I'm in a conversation with someone, I’m always thinking about what I’m going to say before they have even stopped sharing. I want to add my “two cents” in before I've actually heard what the other person has communicated.  A good listener is selfless; he is receptive to what the other person has to say because he shows him concern and respect by listening. 

I’m really trying harder to focus on getting to know the other person and listen to their heart. I know that when I sense this from others I always feel encouraged because someone actually heard what I was feeling.

• Use God's Word

Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

God's Word is the primary means of encouragement for Christians.  If you want to be an effective encourager, you must know the Word! That doesn’t mean just quoting the Bible…it's helping people see and discover God’s truth for themselves.

• Practice, practice, practice!!!

As in sports, music or anything that we want to be well versed in, develop, or enhance - we have to practice if we want to improve. When the Lord speaks to you about going over to a neighbor to encourage them...do it, don’t wait! When the Lord brings to mind someone who is hurting or sick...don’t procrastinate; move immediately! Send a card, make the call, go and visit. We will hear voices in our head that will come up with all kinds of excuses; ignore them and move ahead. There have been times when I have ignored those urgings from God's Spirit and have regretted not acting. You and I will find blessing and joy in those moments that God wants us to enjoy because we responded to His prompting to encourage someone.

Just a thought…not a sermon!

Blessings for today,
Dave Knight

In today’s blog I want us to explore various and powerful ways that we can all care for one another.

Besides learning how to love people, our neighbors and our world as Christ loves, there is another way that we can all care, comfort and encourage one another and that is by praying for and with people. We have wonderful opportunities to impact the lives of those we come in contact with every time we stop and pray for one another.

Pastor Greg and I are constantly encouraging our congregation to pray. I've been trying to get into the habit of praying immediately with someone when they share a concern or problem. I've found that people greatly appreciate the fact that I took the time right then and there to talk to God with and for them. It can be a very comforting experience for those who are troubled to know that God hears and understands their circumstance and has the power to act on their behalf.

But prayer is so much more than a comforting exercise. Praying to God is talking to the creator of your very being. It is being connected with the God of the universe. You and I are invited to pray.

In Jeremiah 33:3 God tells us, ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

God himself invites us to bring our burdens, our cares and our needs to him. He even invites us to come boldly in order to find mercy and grace to help in our times of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16) He designed you and me to be in communication with Him.

Jeremiah 29:12 says, “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen.”
God cares about each one of us as individuals. The Bible tells us that he knows the number of hairs we each have on our head.(Matthew 10:30) He knows every person who has ever wandered far from Him. (Matthew 18:12)

Maybe today you feel like no one really knows who you are. God knows. He waits to hear your voice. “For He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5c) You can pray because you are invited! 

 
As your Care Pastor, I want to encourage you to begin doing two things this week:

• First, communicate with God today and every day. Find some time early in the morning, during your lunch hour, or before you go to bed in the evening to just quietly pray and talk to God. Praise Him, thank Him, share your heart and troubles with Him, and then, listen to hear what He wants to say to you. 
• Second, as the Lord would bring people across your path this week, stop and listen to their hearts and ask if you can pray for them. It doesn't have to be a long or poetic prayer, just a short acknowledgement that you recognize together that God knows and cares will be sufficient. You will be a great encouragement to them and it may even open up a door to share even deeper the power of Christ that can be experienced personally.

Just a thought... not a sermon

Blessings for today!

Your Care Pastor,

Dave Knight