Take Heart! Be Encouraged!

I really enjoy getting together with other believers. A line from the Steve Taylor song, "Jenny", says, "Those Bible belt people think living is a sin so they all start dying from the day they're born again." (Steve Taylor is a Christian so the line needs to be understood in context to the song.) The point here is that those outside the faith believe that to be true. However for me it couldn't be more false.

I've often said that I laugh more with believers than any time I used to spend with others in a drunken state. The best part about it is that now I don't wake up with a hangover! Most Christians are not stuffy ol' killjoys. Actually it's the opposite.

What I like most about meeting with other believers is the encouragement I receive when we gather together. 1 Corinthians 14:26 says, "How is it then, bretheran? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification." If I may be so bold I would like to add (not to the Scriptures) tell a joke! To edify means to instruct; to improve; to build up esp. morally and spiritually. (Cassell Compact Dictionary)

The Scriptures are not silent concerning encouragement. I Thessalonians 5:4 says, "encourage the fainthearted". In Colossians 2:2 Paul wants the church at Coloasse to be encouraged "to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

In 1 Corinthians 14 Paul is explaining the difference between a tongue and a prophecy. He basically says a tongue is spoken to God and builds up the speaker. One who prohesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement.

We need to be encouraged. The Christian life is not a sprint, it's a marathon. I used to be a runner, running in 5K, 8K, and 10K races. Along the course people would be standing on the side of the road. Some would hand out water and others would yell out words of encouragement. I loved it. At times I found myself wanting to give up but their words kept me going.

Hebrews 12:1,2 paints a wonderful picture. It says, "Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with enurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

There are two things I want to point out from this passage. Number one is that we are surrounded by witnesses. These are the ones who have gone before us and lived the life of faith that we're living. I like to think of them as the people along the side of the race course yelling out encouragement as we run. Number two is keeping our eyes on the prize which is Jesus (Philippians 5:13,14). We cannot look to the left or right lest we get pulled off course. We focus on the finish, Jesus.

So take heart my friends, be encouraged. You can't make this journey alone. Get together with other believers and live, and laugh, a lot! God bless y'all real good.

Fresh Starts

I hope this doesn't offend my former pastors. All of them (about six total over 28 years) have been a positive influence on my life.

The truth is I don't remember too many of their sermons. The best way for me to learn is through interaction usually in a Bible study or a small group setting. However, every so often a word or phrase from a sermon finds it's way into my heart and blesses me.

One Sunday after New Year's Day I heard a message on fresh starts and new beginnings. The pastor said that God is a God of fresh starts. That's all I remember of the teaching. I would like to share with you what that means to me.

Lamentations 3:22,23 says, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness."

2 Corinthians 4:16 says, "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed every day."

At the beginning of each new year I always think about a fresh start in my walk with the Lord. How can I know and relate to Him better? How can I improve my prayer life? Are there better ways to share Him with others? How can I better encourage others in their walk?

The best thing about starting fresh is that if I fall short or fail, He's ready to offer me another opportunity. A new chance to get up, repent if needed, and move on. God doesn't want us to fail! Let me say that again a little louder, GOD DOESN'T WANT US TO FAIL!! I am reminded of Israel and their opportunities or Peter and his.

The "fresh start" doesn't have to be yearly. It can be daily, hourly, or minute by minute. The point is that it's available.

I want to encourage you to get a fresh start. You don't have to do it alone. Get the help of a spouse, or close friend, an accountability partner. Do it with your small group or Bible study group.

God's mercies are new every morning. Have a wonderful new year. God bless y'all real good.