DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT THURSDAY - THE FOUNDATION OF FAITHFULNESS. The Conclusion.

The Greeks had a race in their Olympic games that was unique. The winner was not the runner who finished first. It was the runner who finished with his torch still lit. I want to run all the way with the flame of my torch still lit for Him. - J. Stowell.

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. - Heb 10:19 -25. (ESV)

You can see them alongside the shuffleboard courts in Florida or on the porches of the old folks' homes up north: an old man with snow-white hair, a little hard of hearing, reading the newspaper through a magnifying glass; an old woman in a shapeless dress, her knuckles gnarled by arthritis, wearing sandals to ease her aching arches. They are holding hands, and in a little while they will totter off to take a nap, and then she will cook supper, not a very good supper and they will watch television, each knowing exactly what the other is thinking, until it is time for bed.

They may even have a good, soul-stirring argument, just to prove that they still really care. And through the night they will snore unabashedly, each resting content because the other is there. They are in love, they have always been in love, although sometimes they would have denied it. And because they have been in love they have survived everything that life could throw at them, even their own failures. - Ernest Havemann.

In Part 2, we continued to study how our God is faithful, and we know we are not as good at faithfulness, as we would want to be. We studied the second of the principles, which will help us to achieve this, and it was that... ‘WE DO NOT WAVER IN THE FACE OF CONFLICT’ We now conclude our lesson with the third principle, that can be used to build our Foundation Of Faithfulness...

WE CAN LOVE, STIR UP, AND ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER!

To consider one another is to remember to think about one another. Not just the people we know, but every Christian we come into contact with. It is time to put aside those Theological squabbles, and ego-massaging, denomination defending, hero worshipping interpretations! If we agree that Jesus is Lord and Saviour, and in the basic tenets of our born again Christian faith, then let us love, stir up, and encourage one another as we see the day drawing near!

We need to plan to stir up love and good works… Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. – 2 Pet 1:12-15.

This is not a one off thing, a pat on the back, a quick prayer, a how’s your father, and then we go on our merry way, no, this is an eternal work, that will build one another up, encourage each others ministry etc; Many a time a kind word, a rebuke, a phone call, a card, letter, email of appreciation, a gift, an invitation to dine, a visit, a cup of coffee, has kept a Christian on their feet, and they have done mighty tings for God. So, let’s plan it, and we will see great results for the Kingdom of Heaven.

We need to meet together and encourage one another. We sometimes forget that Jesus commanded us to love one another, and that should remind us that we need one another, and that our mutual support is in our relationship to God and one another. We live in a world that promotes the “Lone Ranger” individuals to function in isolation, when we buy into that system we lose the power God has given us. We need our "Tonto’s" to keep us encouraged and on the right path!

The finest gift you can give anyone is encouragement. Yet, almost no one gets the encouragement they need to grow to their full potential. If everyone received the encouragement they need to grow, the genius in most everyone would blossom and the world would produce abundance beyond the wildest dreams. We would have more than one Einstein, Edison, Schweitzer, Mother Theresa, Dr. Salk and other great minds in a century. - Sidney Madwed.

Let Us have Confidence In Every Situation That Arises;
Let Us Not Waver In The Face Of Conflict;
Let Us Love, Stir Up, And Encourage One Another.

THIS IS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR FAITHFULNESS!!!

Loving Father, I thank you for my Lord and Saviour Jesus, and for the confidence that He gives me to draw near to you. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit, to continue to grow in confidence and courage, in my walk with Christ. Help me to love, stir up, meet together, and encourage your people every day. I ask this in the wonderful name of Jesus. Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY