Passage for Study: Acts 17: 1 - 9 … Acts 17 linked for study …
2nd Passage for Study: 1st Thes. 2: 1 - 12 … 1st Thes. 2 linked for study …
My Journal for Today: Today we see one more quality which is much needed in parenting and one which you’ll need - as did Paul - when you’re called into Christian leadership; and that trait is AFFIRMATION.
Note what Paul writes to the Chrisians at Thessalonica, in 1st Thess. 2: 10 - 12, “You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”
Paul recognized his need in leadership to encourage and affirm those who had come to Christ so that they would grow up in their faith and “walk worthy of God.” And Paul was right on target as he was using this parenting word picture when it comes to the development of our Christian walk.
My dear one, I don’t know about your parents and your upbringing. But if you didn’t get very much affirmation and encouragement from your parents, it may have been difficult for you to grow up with confidence and strength and become affirming to your children, should you have become a parent. The emotional wounds that develop from a desert of affirmation as a child often become a desert of encouragement later in life for one who was deprived of encouragement by his/her parents as a child.
In fact that is the word picture which Chuch Swindoll uses to describe the need for and the provision of parental affirmation. It is a picture of an oasis in the middle of a harsh and dry desert. When we’re growing up as children, the world can be a harsh and dry place, where we, as children, become thirsty for encouragement and affirmation. And in order for us to grow emotionally, we need to be able to come back to the family oasis where our parents give us a steady/safe place to be refreshed with their well spring of love, affection, and lavish affirmation.
Think of what’s going on in our culture/world today. We have a vast numbers of kids who have no fathers or AWOL dads who are either not there physically or emotionally absent to provide their kids with the drink of encouragement these kids are so parched to receive. And so, where do you think these affirmation thirsty kids go to get the refreshing drink of encouragement they need? Yes, they go to gangs or to an older peer who gives them attention and perceived affirmation. Hence, we see gangs forming and teen girls getting pregnant because they fall prey to the substitute encouragement they receive from someone other than a parent.
Maybe you identify with this; and perhaps, as a parent or a leader in some Christian ministry, you’re convicted because you have not provided the time, encouragement, or affirmation so needed by your kids, your grandkids, or your flock in ministry. Well, if that’s the case, it’s never too late for the change which God, through His word can bring about in your life. And I pray that you’ll find the refreshing love and encouragment that Paul found in his relationship with Christ. And then Paul was transformed from a parched Christian hater to a well spring of encouragement and affirmation for those whom God led to him to find Christ and to grow from his ministry.
My friend, every day, I come here to the oasis of affirmation which I receive when I’m here communing with God in my daily morning devotional. And just as I was this morning, I drink from the well of God’s truth; and I’m filled to overflowing with the encouragement and life-giving energy I get from being in the presence of God. The world is a harsh and dry place; and I’ve come to recognize that I can become that deer panting after God’s refreshing affirmation in Psalm 41: 1-2. But when I come to this quiet place each day, I come to the place where I can always be refreshed and uplifted by the infinite filling of God’s ever refreshing, Spirit-given, well of truth and love. I pray you are refreshed in this way every day of your life. You need it, and so do I.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, thank You for being there to give me the drink of Your love I receive each morning when I come to this oasis to drink from Your truth. Amen
Showing posts with label encouragement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label encouragement. Show all posts
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
2009 – Day 291.Oct 19 – Son of Encouragement
Passage for Study: Acts 9: 26 – 30 [NKJV] … Linked for study …
Passage for Study: Acts 9: 26 – 30 [The Message] … Linked for study …
My Journal for Today: Today’s study passage focuses again on the influence which one of the local disciples, Barnabas, had in standing forth as an advocate for this man, the former Saul of Tarsus, who had stricken fear into the band of leaders in the Jerusalem church. And I thought it might be helpful for any who read with me here to study that passage from The Message paraphrase version of Scripture, which does a nice job of bringing out some of the emotions in this scene today.
And in this passage we see Verse 27 beginning with the contrast phrase, “But Barnabas,” which stands in contrast to the statement in verse 26, documenting the fear of the Jerusalem Christians about Paul. “But Barnabas” obviously was not afraid; and he stood in the gap for Paul to the Jerusalem church leaders. And I think it’s interesting to note that Paul, a very strong, assertive personality, obviously submitted to Barnabas’ help; and let Barnabas be his advocate. Paul didn’t let pride stand in the way of forging a relationship with the Christians in Jerusalem. No, he backed off and let Barnabas, who was well known and trusted by the local Christians, take the lead in representing him to those men.
Do you know of a Barnabas type in your church? Maybe it’s you. Do you know that there is a type of spiritual gift called the “gift of encouragement,” [also called the gift of “exhortation” – see Rom. 12: <8/u>] and it’s obvious to me that “Barney,” Paul’s new friend had that gift – bigtime! Do you have it?
Someone with this gift finds it very easy to see someone who needs encouragement or an advocate; and that “son of encouragement” will be willing – and able – to come along side the one in need and give that person the support he/she needs. I hope I don’t seem like I’m bragging; but I have this gift; and without even trying, I often perceive that people who need encouragement come into my life; and I don’t have to work very hard to be there for them, … to give them encouragement, … or to stand for them if they need an advocate.
Maybe you’ve had the help of someone like this in your life. And maybe you’ve been that one for others, giving them a boost of encouragement when they needed you … a kind, but genuine, uplifting word, … a heartfelt hug, … or even an advocacy if they need you for that. Maybe you have been there to stand for someone who needed someone to recommend them for a job or some task. If you have this Barnabas-type gift, I hope you’re using it for God’s glory everyday.
Obviously Barnabas stood up for Paul; and was a “son of encouragement,” just like his name defines him. And I hope you’re using your spiritual gift of exhortation for God’s glory as did Barnabas. But even if you don’t have this spiritual gift, we all can be encouragers. We all can give someone a positive smile when that person seems down. We all can give someone a hug who is depressed. We all can stand up for someone who needs, but can’t find, an advocate. It may not be your #1 spiritual gift; but you can be an encourager today for someone. I hope you’ll keep your eyes out and be a “Barney” for someone if you’re needed today. Pray for God to send you someone to encourage; and then watch for that one who needs you. You may be someone’s “son of encouragement” today.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, help me to be perceptive and sensitive today; and if someone needs a son of encouragement, let me be that one. Amen
Passage for Study: Acts 9: 26 – 30 [The Message] … Linked for study …
My Journal for Today: Today’s study passage focuses again on the influence which one of the local disciples, Barnabas, had in standing forth as an advocate for this man, the former Saul of Tarsus, who had stricken fear into the band of leaders in the Jerusalem church. And I thought it might be helpful for any who read with me here to study that passage from The Message paraphrase version of Scripture, which does a nice job of bringing out some of the emotions in this scene today.
And in this passage we see Verse 27 beginning with the contrast phrase, “But Barnabas,” which stands in contrast to the statement in verse 26, documenting the fear of the Jerusalem Christians about Paul. “But Barnabas” obviously was not afraid; and he stood in the gap for Paul to the Jerusalem church leaders. And I think it’s interesting to note that Paul, a very strong, assertive personality, obviously submitted to Barnabas’ help; and let Barnabas be his advocate. Paul didn’t let pride stand in the way of forging a relationship with the Christians in Jerusalem. No, he backed off and let Barnabas, who was well known and trusted by the local Christians, take the lead in representing him to those men.
Do you know of a Barnabas type in your church? Maybe it’s you. Do you know that there is a type of spiritual gift called the “gift of encouragement,” [also called the gift of “exhortation” – see Rom. 12: <8/u>] and it’s obvious to me that “Barney,” Paul’s new friend had that gift – bigtime! Do you have it?
Someone with this gift finds it very easy to see someone who needs encouragement or an advocate; and that “son of encouragement” will be willing – and able – to come along side the one in need and give that person the support he/she needs. I hope I don’t seem like I’m bragging; but I have this gift; and without even trying, I often perceive that people who need encouragement come into my life; and I don’t have to work very hard to be there for them, … to give them encouragement, … or to stand for them if they need an advocate.
Maybe you’ve had the help of someone like this in your life. And maybe you’ve been that one for others, giving them a boost of encouragement when they needed you … a kind, but genuine, uplifting word, … a heartfelt hug, … or even an advocacy if they need you for that. Maybe you have been there to stand for someone who needed someone to recommend them for a job or some task. If you have this Barnabas-type gift, I hope you’re using it for God’s glory everyday.
Obviously Barnabas stood up for Paul; and was a “son of encouragement,” just like his name defines him. And I hope you’re using your spiritual gift of exhortation for God’s glory as did Barnabas. But even if you don’t have this spiritual gift, we all can be encouragers. We all can give someone a positive smile when that person seems down. We all can give someone a hug who is depressed. We all can stand up for someone who needs, but can’t find, an advocate. It may not be your #1 spiritual gift; but you can be an encourager today for someone. I hope you’ll keep your eyes out and be a “Barney” for someone if you’re needed today. Pray for God to send you someone to encourage; and then watch for that one who needs you. You may be someone’s “son of encouragement” today.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, help me to be perceptive and sensitive today; and if someone needs a son of encouragement, let me be that one. Amen
Sunday, October 18, 2009
2009 – Day 290.Oct 18 – Quiet Encouragement
2nd Passage for Study: Study focus on Acts 9: 26 – 30 … Acts 9 linked for study …
My Journal for Today: Wow! I really identify with today’s passage from Acts 9 [ see verses 26-30]. Here we have the former hit-man for the Sanhedrin coming home to Jerusalem; and he desires to meet and become a part of the inner circle of the Apostles; but they won’t have anything to do with him because they’re afraid of his past.
Why? And the answer is simple … fear! They wouldn’t have anything to do with him because of his past “rep.” And it is with this I truly identify. In the year 2000, we began a ministry at my church which the Elders let me lead. It was – and still is – known as Battle Plan Ministry [BPM]; and BPM reaches out to help Christians who desire to walk free from habitual sexual sin. And many in my church knew that I became the leader of BPM because God had delivered and discipled me out that plague of habitual sin in my life, leading me to have burden to help others do the same. You can read about BPM by going to this link.
Well, as I began to lead BPM in my church, many of the men in our church didn’t want to be near me lest they might be identified as someone who needed the help of BPM. They simply didn’t want to be seen – because of fear – as having the problems with which BPM dealt. Ironically, many of them may have needed the help of BPM but stayed away from me, hiding their shame and their weakness from others. So, Bill Berry became the “Battle Plan Ministry guy;” and few would sit with me at men’s breakfasts or other church events. Couples shied away from being friends with my wife and I because of my identity and past baggage. The rejection was obvious and somewhat painful.
But like the Apostle Paul, a few “Barnabas” types came forward and became quiet encouragers. They were men who were led to stand with me; and a few of them were leaders in the church, Elders and Staff who let it be known that they were standing with Bill Berry and BPM no matter how emotionally laden was a ministry like this one. It felt great; and as I’m sure it must’ve felt for Paul, it was great encouragement for me to have someone stand with me when others were rejecting me out of fear. Barnabas became an advocate and a personal encourager for the Apostle Paul … a behind the scenes hero, who lived up to his very name, “Barnabas,” which means “son of encouragement” in Hebrew.
If you’ve had a past, I hope you have a Barnabas or two in your life who stands with you no matter what your past as been like. But if you don’t, take heed; … you still have Jesus; and He will never leave you nor forsake you (see Hebrews 13: 5, which is a restatement of Deut. 31: 6 or Joshua 1: 5. You may be rejected because of human fear or ignorance; but God can and will use your past for His glory if you let Him; so, stick in there, and pray that God sends you a Barnabas to help and encourage you in these times … until you can let the past baggage go and you can let God help you to carry it (see Matt. 11: 28-30).
My Prayer for Today: Lord, I’m so thankful You sent me several Barnabas supporters when I need them to lift me up. And You never forsake me when I’m doing Your work. Amen
My Journal for Today: Wow! I really identify with today’s passage from Acts 9 [ see verses 26-30]. Here we have the former hit-man for the Sanhedrin coming home to Jerusalem; and he desires to meet and become a part of the inner circle of the Apostles; but they won’t have anything to do with him because they’re afraid of his past.
Why? And the answer is simple … fear! They wouldn’t have anything to do with him because of his past “rep.” And it is with this I truly identify. In the year 2000, we began a ministry at my church which the Elders let me lead. It was – and still is – known as Battle Plan Ministry [BPM]; and BPM reaches out to help Christians who desire to walk free from habitual sexual sin. And many in my church knew that I became the leader of BPM because God had delivered and discipled me out that plague of habitual sin in my life, leading me to have burden to help others do the same. You can read about BPM by going to this link.
Well, as I began to lead BPM in my church, many of the men in our church didn’t want to be near me lest they might be identified as someone who needed the help of BPM. They simply didn’t want to be seen – because of fear – as having the problems with which BPM dealt. Ironically, many of them may have needed the help of BPM but stayed away from me, hiding their shame and their weakness from others. So, Bill Berry became the “Battle Plan Ministry guy;” and few would sit with me at men’s breakfasts or other church events. Couples shied away from being friends with my wife and I because of my identity and past baggage. The rejection was obvious and somewhat painful.
But like the Apostle Paul, a few “Barnabas” types came forward and became quiet encouragers. They were men who were led to stand with me; and a few of them were leaders in the church, Elders and Staff who let it be known that they were standing with Bill Berry and BPM no matter how emotionally laden was a ministry like this one. It felt great; and as I’m sure it must’ve felt for Paul, it was great encouragement for me to have someone stand with me when others were rejecting me out of fear. Barnabas became an advocate and a personal encourager for the Apostle Paul … a behind the scenes hero, who lived up to his very name, “Barnabas,” which means “son of encouragement” in Hebrew.
If you’ve had a past, I hope you have a Barnabas or two in your life who stands with you no matter what your past as been like. But if you don’t, take heed; … you still have Jesus; and He will never leave you nor forsake you (see Hebrews 13: 5, which is a restatement of Deut. 31: 6 or Joshua 1: 5. You may be rejected because of human fear or ignorance; but God can and will use your past for His glory if you let Him; so, stick in there, and pray that God sends you a Barnabas to help and encourage you in these times … until you can let the past baggage go and you can let God help you to carry it (see Matt. 11: 28-30).
My Prayer for Today: Lord, I’m so thankful You sent me several Barnabas supporters when I need them to lift me up. And You never forsake me when I’m doing Your work. Amen
Saturday, May 23, 2009
2009 – Day 142.May 23 – Penetrating the Darkness
2009 – Day 142.May 23 – Penetrating the Darkness
Passage of the Day: 2nd Samuel 22: 1 – 31 or Psalm 18: 1 – 30 …
Link to 2nd Sam. 22 for study …
Also link to parallel version in Psalm 18 …
My Journal for Today: After reading these parallel versions of the same song from David, focus on Verse 29 of 2nd Sam. 22 or Verse 28 or Psalm 18, which truthfully sings …
28 For You will light my lamp;
The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
Now, Swindoll asks some pertinent questions, which I condense into one: “Ever been into some tough times when things seemed very dark?” Of course, you have; … we all have! Well, the bottom line becomes, “Is God your light in the dark times?” He obviously was for David; and the King of Israel captured his feelings about this in the poignant Psalm we read from two versions today, a song which we should remember to give us insight and encouragement when things seem so very dark.
I really love the story Swindoll tells in today’s devotional to illustrate the truth of verse 29 from 2nd Sam. 22. He relates his boyhood days, when his dad showed him how to gig flounder at night in shallow waters, by using a small lamp to light the way. He relates that the flounder would come into the shallows to feed on shrimp; and using the small lamp his dad used just gave enough light to see about one step forward and to reveal the flounder.
This story is doubly telling as a word picture; because there are times when we “flounder” in the darkness; and we need a light to move forward. And the light of God is very often just revealing enough to see one step at a time; but when we seek it, God’s light of truth is there to light the way. I think about this truth also with regard to following God’s word, which we know from Psalm 119: 105 is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.
We need to always remember the truth from these songs when things seem threatening and dark. If we’re willing to humble ourselves to seek God’s light, He will provide it, usually through His word, allowing us to see ahead just far enough to take the next step. Below I pray a prayer that I pray almost every day and very often when things are dark in my life.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, shine Your light brightly on my path so I can’t help but see it to follow You. Amen
Passage of the Day: 2nd Samuel 22: 1 – 31 or Psalm 18: 1 – 30 …
Link to 2nd Sam. 22 for study …
Also link to parallel version in Psalm 18 …
My Journal for Today: After reading these parallel versions of the same song from David, focus on Verse 29 of 2nd Sam. 22 or Verse 28 or Psalm 18, which truthfully sings …
28 For You will light my lamp;
The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
Now, Swindoll asks some pertinent questions, which I condense into one: “Ever been into some tough times when things seemed very dark?” Of course, you have; … we all have! Well, the bottom line becomes, “Is God your light in the dark times?” He obviously was for David; and the King of Israel captured his feelings about this in the poignant Psalm we read from two versions today, a song which we should remember to give us insight and encouragement when things seem so very dark.
I really love the story Swindoll tells in today’s devotional to illustrate the truth of verse 29 from 2nd Sam. 22. He relates his boyhood days, when his dad showed him how to gig flounder at night in shallow waters, by using a small lamp to light the way. He relates that the flounder would come into the shallows to feed on shrimp; and using the small lamp his dad used just gave enough light to see about one step forward and to reveal the flounder.
This story is doubly telling as a word picture; because there are times when we “flounder” in the darkness; and we need a light to move forward. And the light of God is very often just revealing enough to see one step at a time; but when we seek it, God’s light of truth is there to light the way. I think about this truth also with regard to following God’s word, which we know from Psalm 119: 105 is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.
We need to always remember the truth from these songs when things seem threatening and dark. If we’re willing to humble ourselves to seek God’s light, He will provide it, usually through His word, allowing us to see ahead just far enough to take the next step. Below I pray a prayer that I pray almost every day and very often when things are dark in my life.
My Prayer for Today: Lord, shine Your light brightly on my path so I can’t help but see it to follow You. Amen
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