The Ministry of Encouragement

-
The word encourage comprises two syllables. "En" means to put in or into and the word "courage" meaning confident, brave and strong. To encourage literally means to put courage into someone.

The New Testament character Barnabas means "the son of encouragement" (Acts 4:36).

The ministry of encouragement is underrated and often overlooked (Rom 12:8).If you are looking to discover, develop and deploy a grace gift consider being an encourager (1 Thess 5:11).

Here are a few examples:
Think of those who have lost a loved one and post them a personalised sympathy card. 
Think of the widow or the single person and invite them for dinner. 
Think of the one who has been through surgery and deliver them a lasagne or take them a bunch of grapes.

"Encourage the disheartened" (1 Thess 5:14).

Customise a gift to a person's known likes. It may be as simple as sending a text message to let the person know you are thinking about them.

Some 'blue sky thinking' means the list is endless - this is brainstorming with no limits.

Encouraging words are one thing but encouraging acts mean so much more.

"Encourage one another daily" (Heb 3:13).

Selah. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My big sister

-
Image
Here I have a photo that I cherish. It was taken at my son Jonathan's wedding. I have used the photo as my mobile's wallpaper to remind me of the joy my sweet sister brought to my life. She was my big sister who sadly passed away aged 69. Her name was Ann. She was a great gift giver. I was on the receiving side, recalling how she made my sixth party special with many balloons fit for the occasion. She also gave me a leather bound ESV Bible which was a bit special. Ann suffered ill health the last few years of her life but was never one to grumble or complain. Ann was a women of great faith, always seeing the best in others, even through her health challenges. I recall my 7 minute eulogy, referring to the dash measuring the years between her birthdate and death date 1952-2021. Ann frequently wrote me letters, with all that was happening at home, while I studied at Portland Bible College in the US 1976-1979. They say that "doubt looks back,worry looks around, but
Read more

CHURCH AT HOME - 40+ Charismatic Churches in Northern Ireland

-
According to Christianity Today, "More Christians worshiped, prayed, and shared Scripture online in the past week than ever before, as COVID-19 precautions shut down in-person church gatherings across the US and around the globe." Churches ‘Live Streaming’ their services is becoming increasingly popular as a way of reaching a wider audience.  Due to the decreasing cost of good quality cameras, and the availability of free streaming software, this technology is now available to churches of all sizes. Although not an exhaustive list, here are easy access links to around 40 major Charismatic churches across Northern Ireland. 1.Christian Fellowship, Strandtown, East Belfast - Lead Pastor Owen Crane https://m.youtube.com/cfcbelfast/?uid=8gEqncy6pri7h4LUEgc7Pw This service can be viewed on the CFC Belfast Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CFCBelfast / or our CFC Belfast Youtube channel at  https://www.youtube.com/cfcbelfast 2.Emmanuel Church, Lurgan -
Read more

December 2nd - Behold, The Light of the World

-
Image
  Passages :   The people walking in  darkness  have seen a great  light ; on those living in the land of deep  darkness  a  light  has dawned (Isaiah 9:2) I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the  darkness  into  light  before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them (Isaiah 42:16) When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the  light  of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the  light  of  life . ’ (John 8:12) I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness (John 12:46) … in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God …For God, who said, “ Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the
Read more