Encouragement

On Sunday, a couple of friends of mine, my daughter, and I got together at their apartment. We ate dinner, worshipped the Lord and fellowshipped with one another and we had communion. It was a joyous occasion and we just thanked God for allowing us to be together in Him. There was no ceremony and no prescribed things to do. We wanted to allow the Holy Spirit to guide and to teach and that was what happened.

Everyone shared and all were edified, even my 10 yr-old daughter. If anything was unclear, she asked a question. She told me later and yesterday, even, that she was so glad that we went. We are not trying to start a church or anything, our goal is to edify one another, use our gifts to build the body, and stir up love and good works (Hebrews 10:24; Ephesians 4:11-16).

The fellowship was outstanding and we had actually started encouraging one another earlier in the week. I look back on it now and see how the Lord was preparing our hearts for when we came together. The love of Christ was evident and they encouraged me so much both directly and in prayer. I saw that the seeds of the Word that had been sown during the week were taking root. We have committed to meeting more often for fellowship and edification in a way that is not like “church” where only one person uses his “gift” (I won't get into those who use a natural talent). I cannot express how glad I am that we came together like that.

As I was encouraged, let me encourage you. There are so many things that are currently happening – prominent “leaders" whose sin is exposed, financial troubles, lies, hypocrisy, false teaching, etc., etc., etc. But Believer, remember your God Who is Sovereign. He is the one true God Who reigns forever and Who knew you before time began. He knows your end from your beginning and He knows every hair upon your head. He has told us to give no thought to our life, what we will eat, drink, clothing. He says to seek Him first (His kingdom and His righteousness) and those things will be added (Matt. 6:33). He also says that if we delight in Him He will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4).

He tells us to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17) and that if we ask according to His will then we can be confident that He hears us and that we have the petitions that we ask of Him (1 John 5:14-15). Continue to persevere and endure hardship as a good soldier in Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:3). Keep your eyes focused on the cross of Christ, because He is the first born of many brethren (Rom 8:29) and He is the Author and the finisher of our faith Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebr. 12:2).

Our goal is to worship the Lord in spirit and truth (John 4:24); to do justly to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8); to love the Lord with all our heart, soul mind and strength (Mark 12:30); to deny ourselves take up our crosses and follow Christ (Matt. 16:24, Luke 9:23); to love the brethren and care for one another (John 13:34-35, 15:12,17; Romans 12:10); to abide in Him (John 15)…I could go on and on but I won’t, except to say:

1 Peter 1:4-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.

1 John 3:1-2
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

Amen...