Encouragement for those who do not seem to need it . . .

Some letters are easier to write than others. Letters of apology, correction, dismissal and so on are the difficult ones. Thank-you letters are easier, as are letters of good news or congratulations. 1 and 2 Thessalonians seem to be in that category. They offer no correction or admonition as do the other letters Paul wrote to New Testament churches.

These letters also instruct me in how to pray and encourage Christians who seem to not need it. My experience tells me that is a myth. Everyone needs to be encouraged, thanked, told they are doing well. In the kingdom of God, we have an enemy who is the ‘father of lies’ and the ‘accuser’ of God’s people. This enemy does not want God’s people to be confident in our faith or clear-headed in our focus.

Just last night, after a morning of prayer with others, this enemy went after me with his accusations and lies. It was a long battle won only by praising God and fighting each troubling thought with truth from the Lord. This battle reminds me how much these words would encourage those on the front lines in Thessalonica:

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:2–10)

Instructions and application for my situation are outlined as well. First, I’m to be always thankful and in prayer for those who are doing well. It seems easier to think of the needy, even to be envious of the successful, but Paul prayed for both and I should do the same.

He also reminded them that God choose them and they were not imitators of their leaders and good examples to other Christians. While this could build pride or feel like a heavier burden, it was not so with these people. They were not into idols nor thinking of their own egos as they shared the Gospel with others. Paul knew them well enough that he could give them high praise without fear it would go to their head. That requires discernment and the ability to encourage others while praising God at the same time. Paul knew where the faith and lifestyle originated in these people. He put the glory of God in priority as he told them how well they were doing.

This means saying things like: “God has given you a wonderful gift of compassion. I rejoice in His gifts and am thankful that you are showing His compassion to others.” Most Christians who hear words like that are operating in that “when I am weak, I am strong” mode that Paul knew so well . . .  

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7–10)

The power of God is visible in those filled with His Spirit yet the person usually feels the weaknesses that require it. Telling them what I see in them is a far greater encouragement than most would think. If the inner self feels weak yet relies on God, they need to know there is fruit from their faith.

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Lord Jesus, I have some praying friends that need to be encouraged. Help me to do it in such a way that You are glorified and they are edified, not filled with pride but with that joy that motivates them to keep on living for You as they are already doing. Thank You also for these words today because I too needed to hear this from You.

Lonely?

Usually I’m happy being alone but there are some days that is not true. The Holy Spirit reminded me today of a verse from the days of creation. God made Adam then said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” (Genesis 2:18)

I’ve thought this was a gender distinction but decided to look up that word for ‘man’ and discovered it is usually used for mankind, not just men. In the above verse, there was only one of them on earth at that time. The Hebrew word is ‘adam’ and it became the first man’s name, but the point is, God said it is not good for any of us to be alone. All of us need companionship and helpers as we go through life. I can also see this in today’s verses:

“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!” (Psalm 34:1–3)

The psalmist starts out alone, but quickly changes to include others. First his praise is to God, but that praise is heard by those who are humble and it makes them glad. Finally, he bids them and others to praise the Lord with him. He is not solitary in his worship.

Throughout Scripture, people usually do things with other people. The instances when people are alone are often occasions for God to grab their attention or test them in some way. This is a reminder that spending all my time with others can distract me from hearing God, even from those tests that come in solitude. Yet I also realize the importance of being with others to share our praise and lift up the Lord together. Mutual worship brings mutual edification.

Also, when I get my eyes off the Lord, I begin evaluating life by what I can see or what I cannot see. Instead of trusting Him to hear and answer my prayers, I’m discouraged that nothing is happening. I’m not always in that pessimistic place, but when I am, someone who is not there can pull me out of it as we share our lives and talk about Jesus. Other Christians often remind me of who God is and the greatness of His power. If I am in a slump, I need to call someone and tell them. We might slump together, but usually not.

So I cannot say only men should not be alone. It is not good for women either. We need each other to keep a godly perspective on life and to share in praising God.

Tozer says, “God calls us to magnify Him, to see Him big.” I’ve told others, “Pray big prayers, because we have a big God.” I need to remember those words too, and instead of moaning that nothing is going on, I need to walk by faith realizing that He is still on the throne, whether I can see what He is doing or not.

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Jesus, thanks for these reminders. I will call three Christian friends, trusting You to use them in my life and me in their lives. Either way, fill me with Your Spirit so I can walk by faith today. Thank You that I am in Your family and that I know others I can call and encourage them to walk by faith with me.

Unity in diversity!

The older I get, the more I realize the importance of each body part. A sore toe can ruin a planned walk. A cut finger can slow accomplishments to a crawl. A headache affects everything, as does an irregular heartbeat. These realities help me understand why Paul used the human body as a metaphor for the church.

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ . . . For the body does not consist of one member but of many.” (1 Corinthians 12:12; 14)

The amazing thing is that even though we are diverse, the Holy Spirit brings unity. No matter how many ways I am different from another Christian, we still can fellowship together. As Tozer writes, “God makes all of us different from one another, but by His Spirit He will bring divine illumination and power to our beings. It is God’s planned variety and not similarity that makes beauty and interest in our world.”

While I’m thankful for my individuality and not try to copy others that I admire, there are some characteristics of the Christian life that I could imitate in other believers.

For instance, one young friend is more gentle and positive in attitude than I have ever been. I could learn from her, even imitate her. Another is logical in thought and humble in heart. I could imitate him. My husband is cool-headed in any crisis and knows how to calm others when there is conflict. I could do better by being more like him.

All of us need to be the same in loving God and putting Him first. We need to all hate sin and be quick to obey God as He leads us. Yet we must always be ourselves.

“If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? . . . . The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you,’ nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (1 Corinthians 12:15-17; 21–26)

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Jesus, the next time one of my body parts acts up or does not work properly can be a reminder to pray for those in the Body of Christ who are ill, over-burdened, in trouble, or not walking with You. What happens to one of us affects all of us. When all is well, also remind me to daily show concern for those who need prayer and care.