Be a positive person. The New Testament reveals that encouragement was a regular part of the early churchs life together (Acts 13:15,16:40,18:27,20:1-2,27:36). Paul also urges Timothy to shun youthful passions and pursue righteousness (2 Tim. This is a good reminder for Christian workers that not all talk at the water cooler is profitable, even if it is not downright evil. Christians need to be prepared for the hardship and suffering associated with these last days. They may be mundaneovercoming sin, growing in character, producing spiritual fruit, and encouraging others in their walk with Godbut they are the day-to-day Christian activities that, in the end, will assure that not only will we be in the Kingdom but those we love and fellowship with will be too. Say something such as, I know this is a tough time for you, but it wont last. "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming" (verse 13). Let me encourage you: God will see you through, and Im here to help, too., [God] comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. It can also mean to incite them to action, to serve as a way of supporting them, giving them confidence or inducing someone to endure hardships. People were saying that the apostles had "turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6)! Since it is something you cannot lose then you can never perish. What was it that Barnabas did so well? Such love manifests itself, not only in feeling for others in their troubles, but also in edifying and encouraging each other to do what is godly. Do our words serve as ambassadors of reconciliation and redemption (2 Cor. Give a compliment. We draw back and become weary for many reasons that appear justified: There is so much opposition to good plans for doing things. "May God inspire you with courage! If we will not believe evil reports, the discouraged talebearer will leave off his evil practice or take it elsewhere. Early on, Paul declares how God has planned the organization of His purpose from the very beginning, determining whom He would call, give His Spirit to, and perfect as His children. How Should Immigrant Congregations Who Speak Different Languages Relate to One Another? Municipal and state governments are even more prone to this failing. Do you encourage one another or discourage one another? It points a person to Gods promises that assures them that all they face is under his control. In the Gospel of John, Jesus warned that in this world you will have trouble, which he then followed with a much needed encouragement: But take heart; I have overcome the world (John 16:33). Biblical encouragement isnt focused on complementing someones haircut or telling them how good their homemade salsa tastes. See reprint policy. Encourage and support your mate Read More, LifeTree Books Our Mission Author Doctrinal Beliefs Testimonials, Reprint Policy Newsletter Privacy Policy Seminars Contact Us. Learn to be self-aware and listen to what you say. The voice is the effective means of communication between Christ and us. They do not go on sinning day after day without confession. The original Greek word rendered "encouragement," paraklesis, means encouragement, consolation, comfort, exhortation, and entreaty. The Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness. How much more does God do the same? Peter states the goal He has in mind as "obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ." However, consider God's instruction: "A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back" (Proverbs 29:11). We ought to have great love for God's laws and each other. We live in what can best be described as a Laodicean environment, just as did the Hebrews to whom Paul wrote. We live in a broken world where everything calls us toward selfishness and despair. Share stories about your day, insights from a Bible study, victories on the job, or other things they may be interested in. Encourage others with hope and trust in God, Improving your conflict resolution skills, How to Lead a Christ-Centered Small Group. [9] When an organizations pay practices, debt burden, risk management, financial control, quality control, or any other factor become seriously detrimental to its sustainability, its leaders have a duty to call for change. We need to come to appreciate both the encouragement and the candid criticism from our friends, as well as their kindness and generosity. Unlike 1 Timothy, however, 2 Timothy appears to be more of a personal letter in which Paul encourages Timothy and gives him a solemn charge to remain faithful even after Paul has departed. The same phenomenon, multiplied by thousands of cheering fans, becomes the home court advantage in sports contests. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. This edition is a one-volume hardcover version. A teaching we can glean from the Parable of the Good Samaritan is that the Samaritan did not inquire whether the wounded man was "one of his own." (Part Four). If we experience few of these things, we have cause for rejoicing, but we should not allow our present benevolent working conditions to lull us to sleep. It may be that the apostles who gave Joseph the name Barnabas, saw all of these qualities in his character. The initial act by God opens our mind, which is the beginning of sanctification. The love Paul expounds in I Corinthians 13 is the love of God, which found its perfectly balanced expression in Jesus Christ. Kindness is such a rare quality these days that when someone is kind, it has a good chance of making the news! You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work) for non-commercial use only, under the condition that you must attribute the work to the Theology of Work Project, Inc., but not in any way that suggests that it endorses you or your use of the work. Acts 1:15 tells us that the number of disciples was only 120. (Ephesians 4:29). 15:4), unity (Rom. Indeed, much of the portrait Paul sketches of Timothy in this letter could be held up as something for Christian workers to strive toward. He tells these people, "Holdon!" (Romans 15:5), Related:Encourage others with hope and trust in God. Listen with compassion, and avoid simplistic advice. For example, you could: Doug Britton, Bible-based Marriage and Family Therapist, has helped hundreds of thousands of people as a therapist, clinical director of a treatment center, seminar speaker, radio cohost, and author of over twenty books that show how to apply God's truths in your daily life. We do not want to allow ourselves to get in that fix. Now thats Someones prayer list I want to be on; His. Sign up to get new online Bible studies by Doug Britton! This is a sobering reminder to those Christians who work in environments that may be difficult but are far less threatening than the social realities of the first century or of many places in the world today. There is so much to do and, it seems, so few to do it. Sin steals joy, our bodies break down, our plans falter, our dreams die, our resolves weaken, our perspective dims. We listen to God's Word because God Almighty Himself personally chose us to do so. He has compassion on us realizing that our frames are fragile (but dust). Biblical decision-making principles for tough situations at work. It points out evidences of grace in anothers life to help them see that God is using them. AG ISA (NZ) 570 The Auditor-Generals Statement On Going Concern, The Auditor-Generals Auditing Standards, Controller and Auditor-General, http://www.oag.govt.nz. In its basic meaning, encouragement is the act of giving hope or promise. Their greater works were preaching the gospel, feeding the flock, and helping others to overcome and grow toward the Kingdom of God. What the Bible says about (Visit www.dougbrittonbooks.com.). ", But God calls upon all of us to "strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees" (Hebrews 12:12). Therefore, He warns that lack of adequate preparation for His coming can be eternally devastating. There always are negative things you could say, but there also are positive ones. Here is another Bible verse that says Jesus will pray for those who will (in the future) believe in me through their word which means our public profession of faith and trusting in Him. He commands us to open our hands wide to the poor, and He says it will be as though we are loaning the money to Him. 10:24-25), faithfulness (1 Thess. Encouragement is shared with the hopes that it will lift someones heart toward the Lord (Col. 4:8). Likewise, 2 Timothy suggests organizations must operate in an environmentally and socially sustainable way. The fourth and final chapter of 2 Timothy consists mainly of Pauls charge to Timothy, Pauls reflections on his life, and specific instructions and greetings. Regardless of their station in life, regardless of whether they are in the church, this high requirement stands fast. (Hebrews 10:25), You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry. Yes He does! God has compassion because He knows our frame. He understands that we are fragile and that we are dust. A parent knows that their children are fragile in body, mind, and spirit. God has given us witness of their lives, and how and why they made it. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Blind Chance or Intelligent Design, Sources: The Holy Bible, What Christians Want To Know, Top 7 Encouraging Bible Verses with Commentary. First, He knows all the specifics of the case. Encouragement Godly communication between friends involves sharing common interests, giving and accepting advice, giving and accepting criticism, and giving and accepting encouragement. They are the Source of the powers that make it possible for us to do the works God has ordained. We can expand this process out to include the whole church. I hate you!" A healthy relationship requires both giving and receiving, with the primary emphasis on the way of give. We are to "be there" for them, not as a "know-it-all," but as a "maybe-this-will-help.". The council in Jerusalem wrote a letter to the Gentile brethren in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia regarding things they should observe and not requiring them to keep Jewish law, particularly circumcision, a practice that troubled the Gentiles (Acts 15:22-29). He wants to hear us speak to and help each other during these stressful times. Then comes the sanctification that arises with growth, overcoming, and becoming more like God. At the proper time, we can give correction in meekness, considering our own weaknesses. . In most cases, kindness is not beyond any of us because it usually costs no money. We are the chosen of God, elect according to His foreknowledge. The church exists because God willed it so. Second Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. The following verse can be life changing. It makes people realize that they are sinful and that they need a Savior to redeem them and to help them turn their lives around. The first verse gives the main point of the paragraph. We must have an attitude of forgiveness, even of encouragement. Knowing that human nature loses heart over time without the help of the Holy Spirit, Jesus understood that His church would need encouragement to be watchful while awaiting His second coming. 2:23). That is, those who have gone before and are witnesses to us that God is faithful. Ephesians 1:4-5 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.

We must make every effort to throw off the works of carnality and strive to acquire a renewed mind through diligent, continuous effort so that we can be created in the image of God in true righteousness and holiness (verse 24). By doing so, we can fight against Satan's influences and overcome them in faith. Christ Jesus is the one who diedmore than that, who was raisedwho is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.. In one sense, encouragement is like oxygen in the life of a church. We see people in the church who are so depressed it seems they never have a bright day. Parable of the Ten Virgins (Part One). John O. Reid (1930-2016) The only criterion was that he needed an act of kindness performed for him in his desperately weakened situation. Watch out for subtle ways you may tear others down, such as pointing out how quickly you can mow the lawn when you know it takes them twice as long. Encouragement changes people. Christ's concern is apparent in His expression of His mercy and tenderness. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father (who has loved us and given us unending encouragement and unfailing hope by his grace), inspire you with courage and confidence in every good thing you say or do. Others have cups overflowing with troubles, and they want to dump on any willing to listen. He loves whatever they heard, and when he brings this news, one can see the light in his eyes. They need it from other believers but the Bible itself is full of verses that are very encouraging. It is like being given a second start, which Paul calls "regeneration" (Titus 3:5). In the greater church of God today, with its many differing attitudes, motivating to love and good works is very difficult to do. One of the striking features of 2 Timothy is the theme of generational faithfulness. Anger Anxiety Christianity Counseling Culture Depression Marriage Money Parenting Personal Growth Relationships Self-Image Small Groups Temptation, Make a Plan to Study the Bible Every Day and Be an Active Bible Reader, Doug Britton, MFTwww.dougbrittonbooks.com, Home / Free Bible Studies / Counseling / Encourage People Daily Be an Encourager. Fifth, Jesus is not pretentious when He touches the coffin, but in humility He offers hope (Jeremiah 17:7). Bible Commentary If you are born again (John 3:3) then you are part of His family and one of His own children. Just think about these things: Jack Wellman is Senior Writer at What Christians Want to Knowwhose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believers daily walk with God and the Bible. It keeps hearts beating, minds clear, and hands inspired to serve. Paul repeatedly warns Timothy to avoid wrangling over words (2 Tim. This truth came home to me once in a graphic, although silly, way. Choose the positive. This witness illustrates His involvement in their lives. This may remind us that employees bring their personal difficulties with them to work. That is hardly a kind attitude described by chrestotes, the Greek word for kindness. 1:13), and You have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions (2 Tim. to show friendliness by warmly and sincerely shaking hands? There are many many caves and sinkholes in Kentucky. Paul, writing a letter to Timothy, becomes a support network for him. 2:22). In the end, these are far greater works than miracles and spectacular healings. Arnold Joseff and his partner, George Hill, are founders of Diversified Chemical Technologies located in Detroit, So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. One of the challenges we face in work is the temptation to put self and family ahead of society. When we read I and II Thessalonians, it does not appear that these people were going through any hard or difficult persecution, yet things were happening within the church. Sure, they did their share of miracles, but their most lasting, eternal works were their preaching and their Christian sacrifices for the gospel. . What great works are we supposed to do? We may become defensive and want to leave just as fast as we can. Toward the beginning of the letter Paul reminds Timothy of the faith that lived in his grandmother, his mother, and then in Timothy himself (2 Tim. All rights reserved. 3:1011a). Dont start complaining as soon as you see your spouse, child, employee, neighbor or someone else. (Romans 15:4), May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus. He is able to do what He sets His hand to do. Ask God to help you develop a positive thought life. God loves to glorify Himself in using the smallest of churches because then the work that these smaller churches do must be from His hand alone and so He is more glorified. Then its existence may need to end. (Amos 3:3), He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. Consider keeping track of how you are doing on a day-by-day basis. We are firmly in the grasp of both Jesus and the Fathers hand. It pulls us toward it and makes us want to join and enjoy the benefits of such a positive, uplifting, and good spirit. We were taken out of the world and from our old father the Devil and made a child of Gods by His sovereign will, His good pleasure, and as a result of His divine love (1 John 3:10). It may require the discipline to be thoughtful of others' needs and to make the effort to act. Exhorting one another - Exhort means "to aid, help, comfort, encourage, and beseech." ), He quiets us (by His love), He will exult us, and then do all of this with loud singing. By the way, the word exult means to show or feel a lively or triumphant joy. He then makes sure we understand that we must carry out our responsibilities in humility, kindness, and forbearance as we strive to maintain doctrinal accord in purity. Then He will exult you with loud singing. Here is the God of the universe, the Creator of all things, and He saves us, He rejoices over us (and with gladness! John W. Ritenbaugh How are they witnesses? Peter's words are intended, not merely to instruct, but also to encourage. He does not like to hear judgmental and condemning conversations among His people, but words of encouragement that spur others into standing fast in God. This is a great verse to commit to memory. I hope this has encouraged you. See what over 150,000 subscribers are already receiving each day. He has recorded those things so that we can understand that God will deal with us in a merciful way. Produced by TOW Project, 10 Key Points About Work in the Bible That Every Christian Should Know, Beyond Rank and Power: What Philemon Tells Us About Leadership, Learning From the Psalms How to Pray Through Your Work, Cultures Can Persist for Generations (2 Timothy 1:12:13; 3:1017), http://www.newsweek.com/report-more-employees-visiting-porn-sites-work-85229, The Time of Difficulty Is Now (2 Timothy 3:19), How to Make the Right Decision (Devotional), Handle with Care: What the Bible Says About Sustainability, The Need for Social Capital (Haggai 1:1-2:19), Introduction to the Pastoral Epistles and Work, 1 Timothy: Working for Order in Gods Household, Connecting Belief and Behavior at Work (1 Timothy 1:111, 1820; 3:1416), Prayer, Peace, and Order Are Needed at Work as in Church (1 Timothy 2:115), Integrity and Relational Ability Are Key Leadership Qualities (1 Timothy 3:113; Titus 1:59), Good Relationships Arise From Genuine Respect (1 Timothy 5:16:2; Titus 2:110), Godliness With Contentment Is Great Gain (1 Timothy 6:3-10, 17-19), 2 Timothy: Encouragement for a Faithful Worker, Summary & Conclusion to the Pastoral Epistles, Key Verses and Themes in the Pastoral Epistles, Theology of Work Bible Commentary Volume 5: Romans Through Revelation, Theology of Work Bible Commentary - One Volume Edition, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. But perhaps they would have more reliable access to environmental and social capital if they did more to create sustainable systems on their own initiative. No slanderers would exist among us if no one received or believed slander, for when there is no demand for an article, no one will produce it. To a certain degree, workplaces invest in environmental and social capital by paying taxes to support governments environmental and social programs. So there is no need to get discouraged, even though the way for each of us is just as hard, just as difficult, as it has to be.

Wow! Foremost among these gifts are teachers who will work to equip us for service in the church and eventually in the Kingdom. The Whirlpool of War. This is what He told the disciples just before going to the cross to die for them and for us saying, I do not ask (pray) for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word (John 17:20). Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Acts 15:30-31 continues, "When [the brethren in Antioch] had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement [paraklesis]." We find numerous biblical cautions on this principle or law of bonding: Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? The prophet Haggai Every resource on our site was made possible through the financial support of people like you. However, we will examine just one more paragraph in the letter2 Timothy 3:19. Many were baptized and later followed Christ. Alcohol and drug abuse affect virtually every workplace, and fully one quarter of employees who use the Internet visit porn sites during the workday . The Scripture gives ample instructions for godly communication between friends: "Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. For this reason, He gave the Parable of the Ten Virgins to some of the twelve disciples just days before His brutal crucifixion. When Paul illustrated how love acts, patience leaped into his mind first: "Love suffers long" (I Corinthians 13:4). Related: Communicate with respect and love.

An American clich runs, "Charity begins at home." The kind of person who made you feel you could do it, whatever it was? Christ also shows great tenderness when "He present[s] him to his mother. He is looking to give us His strong support. to pay a visit? We need to realize the dangerous times and attitudes into which we can be dragged. It has to be something that the person is joyous, happy, enthused, encouraged about. 3:13). David F. Maas It is an act of giving someone support in hopes of boosting their courage.