The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe
"Encouraged By Encouraging"
Sometimes when we feel the need for encouragement, God sends it by His Word, His Spirit, His church, and other means whereby He strengthens and refreshes us.
Sometimes, however, it seems that He doesn't. Sometimes no cool breeze or cup of cold water appears to be forthcoming. On those occasions, a different form of encouragement may lie at hand.
"For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you... Knowing that He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes" (II Corinthians 4:11-12; 15).
The greatest encouragement we receive will always be that which we administer to others. "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). The strengthening that passes through us rather than to us lifts us up because "the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us" (Romans 5:5). Our Lord ever moves within us to look upward, outward, and away from ourselves, leading us to experience the comfort and encouragement of "it is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).
When we feel cast down without reprieve, the Holy Spirit directs our attention to the needs of other hurting souls. We may only have opportunity to pray a prayer, but what an opportunity that is. Or we may find words and ways to reveal the comfort of the Lord Jesus in direct ministry. Whatever the case, as our focus departs from ourselves unto the glory of God and the needs of others, our Lord's encouragement will flow to us or through us by His all sufficient grace.
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God" (II Corinthians 1:3-4).
We thank God for those times in which He personally comforts our hearts. We also thank Him when we are encouraged by encouraging. Both flow from the Lord Jesus, who lived His earthly lifetime in both His Father's care and in the glory of devotion to others...
"I am not alone because the Father is with Me."
(John 16:32)
"The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give His life a ransom for many."
(Matthew 20:28)
"Walk, even as He walked."
(I John 2:6)
Weekly Memory Verse
I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify Thy name forevermore.
(Psalm 86:12)
7738
No comments:
Post a Comment