PM#0512 Encouraging Others

PM#0512

Encouraging Others

Heb 3:13

Let’s ask the following: are we encouraging others?  Heb 3:13 says to encourage one another daily.  Great idea—but what are we actually doing?

One thought is that what we do for the Lord is not to be broadcasted—Therefore we shouldn’t say anything that would encourage someone because that would be bringing attention to them.

On the other hand, others have found that when they encourage people, God has honored that encouragement, and it has challenged others to be more focused on their obedience to the Lord.  It has also helped new ministries move forward and be able to help others.

As we pray, let’s take time to ask the Lord, how does He want us to encourage others.

Consider this prayer: ‘Father, Your Word says that we should encourage others daily.  Please show us how.  We ask Your help.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection questions:

What source has the greatest influence on how we encourage others?

1. Our Parents
2. What we learned from teachers
3. What we learned from reading
4. How others have encouraged us

Why does an approach that we learn from parents affect how we may encourage others?

What about what we learned from teachers or reading—how does that affect use in how we encourage others?

If you were personally encouraged by someone where that encouragement made a difference, how has that affected you?

There is a lot to think about in how we go about encouraging someone.  One more question, especially for those who pray a lot—have you found that as your relationship with God has grown, has it lead you to encourage others more?

PM#0511 Listing to God Speaking Through Others

PM#0511

Listing to God Speaking Through Others

I Cor 12 vs 14 and 18

What keeps us back from accepting the vision God has given others?  Are we making our selves a judge of another person’s calling or dreams? Or is it that it does not fit our personal focus?

The Bible says in I Corinthians 12: 14.  For the body is not one member, but many…18.  … God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 

Now consider that if someone who carries the gospel, or the foot, should to say to the eye—I do not need you—don’t you think it would stumble?  That is similar to not accepting a vision of someone else in the body of Christ.  

What should we do?  Here is a prayer to consider:  Father, I ask you to help me listen to you speaking through others who love you.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PM#0510 Finding Time to Pray

Finding Time to Pray

Life seems to be so full of many things, and it seems that we do not have any time free to spend time in prayer.  Yet God, throughout the whole Bible, encourages us to spend time with Him.

Many of us struggle in finding time to spend with God in His Word and Prayer.  Maybe we should consider even just a short prayer, asking for help.

Father,

May I have the Time to meditate on the Word of God;

Help me to listen to Holy Spirit speaking to my heart;

Help me to write the vision that the Holy Spirit when He spoke to my heart, in my journal;

May I have the Time to focus away from work or other cares, to focusing on You;

May I Time to read God's Word;

May I have Time for personal prayer and personal requests of mine and others;

May I always have Time for praise and worship of God.

Thank you, Lord, for helping me to have time to spend with You and your Word and in Prayer.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Past Issues

PM#0509

Ps 139:28-29, I John 1:9, Luke 19:8-11

Have you ever been afraid that something in the past may give you trouble today?  If that thing in your past was something wrong, and was not corrected, then there is a good possibility it could present trouble for you.

The Psalmist knew the problem of past unresolved issues when he wrote in PS 139: 28-29 “Search me, O God, and know my heart… see if there be any wicked way in me.” 

He did not want anything giving trouble.  How do we resolve past issues?  The first is to humble ourselves and confess them. (I John 1:9), then make correction or restitution if possible. See Luke 19:8-11.

In clearing past issues, we need the help of Jesus.

Consider this prayer:  Father, search my heart and show me issues that need to be corrected, and lead me in making things right.  In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

PM#0508 Forgiving Hurts

PM#0508

Forgiving Hurts

James 5:16

Have you ever worked on a project for other people, and when it was finished you hoped to be involved helping them understand what you put together, only to find out that it was given to someone else with out any instructions?  Did that action hurt you? 

That can definitely hurt and affect you in dealing with people and it is a hurt that you may hold onto for some time.  –Did you know that hurts we hold on to, can also affect our hearing from the Lord?  They can.

When a hurt happens, the Bible says to confess our faults one to another and pray that you might be healed.  James 5:16

Why not take those issues to the Lord and be open about them as you pray.  Ask for His help to forgive.  Clearing issues will help you hear better from the Lord.

Consider this prayer:  Father, I have a hurt from an incident that has affected me. Please help me to forgive.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PM#0507 Blessing Others

PM#0507

Blessing Others

Matthew 6:21

It is a blessing when people pray for others and ask the Lord, “do you want me to help?”  When we pray for someone—it is important to realize the Lord may want us involved.  

Personally, I find that when I pray for some one or a ministry, I often find myself involved in one form or another.  Maybe that involvement, whether supporting by personal involvement, or financially, shows where my heart is.  And where my heart is, (Matthew 6:21), I will also be praying.

I am thankful and blessed when I hear from people who ask, “how do you want me involved?”—especially when it comes after much prayer. 

It is a blessing not only for the one you help, but God will bless you also, especially when it comes from your heart.

Consider this prayer:  Father, continue to lead our hearts to be open to your leading in helping others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Promises Come With Conditions

PM#0506

Promises Come With Conditions

Acts 16:31

Did you know that God’s promises come with conditions?  They do.  When the Apostle Paul said to the Jailer that you must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved, it is not only a statement, but a promise.  That promise is that we will be saved if we obey a condition.  This condition in this situation is that you must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved.

I challenge all of you to get a Bible and when you see a promise, look at the condition that goes with it.   

The conditions are there to help us focus on the Lord Jesus Christ. Prayer is very much involved in the promises and our prayers should focus on what God’s Word says.

Consider allowing this prayer to help you.  Father may your word lead me to important promises and help my heart desire to meet those conditions.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.