Encourager
I wonder why our faith is less about encouragement than judgment. Now, before you say it is only one faith, and in particular, Christians, I need to point out that they all do it. The only reason you have not seen the others is that there are not many of them around you. In reality, I suspect it is because most people identity SOCIALLY as Christian rather than as actual spiritual activity as such. So then how do we change our faiths – any faith – to be a faith of encouragement rather than judgment?
First, we start with the idea that people want to do better and get closer to God. We do not look at their shortcomings as a hindrance, but rather as a learning experience. Far too long, we have heard the back and forth recriminations that only seem to be self-fulfilling prophecy. I have yet to find anyone outside our broader community that is as hate filled and bitter against others, yet we decry the very same, though less intense, behavior in others.
Perhaps it is that people of good will, believing in the same God, can come to different conclusions and still be worshipers in the same space. To be an encourager rather than a judger means that you see that each has it’s God assigned task and cannot and should not be measured against the ministry of another.
Encouragement means to equip, pray and kick a person out of their complacency to the unique call, gifts and passions of God in their life. Many would rather sit still and do nothing than be criticized, but the encourager is there to remind us that the naysayer is not the person speaking for God.
The encourager will not be an enabler. They will not “do it for you.” They will not give you the excuse that you are OK if you do not try and keep trying. Encouragers are there for marathons, not for sprints. They do not let you settle for less that who God wants you to be and become. Over the years you know someone they can become more or they can shrink in the eyes of belief, God, and yourself. While God will always love them, they will lose that which they had if they do not use it according to the promise and intent.
This week, I pray you have an encourager and that you are being an encourager. If you are not in a positive, powerful, and moving ministry area at Covenant of the Cross that challenges you to reach your potential - find one and commit. When you do you will find God, until you do you will just be lazy and enabled to death by the mutual admiration society around you. I encourage you today to reach for the promise of significance and find the power of God rushing through you!
Blessings,
Pastor Greg
First, we start with the idea that people want to do better and get closer to God. We do not look at their shortcomings as a hindrance, but rather as a learning experience. Far too long, we have heard the back and forth recriminations that only seem to be self-fulfilling prophecy. I have yet to find anyone outside our broader community that is as hate filled and bitter against others, yet we decry the very same, though less intense, behavior in others.
Perhaps it is that people of good will, believing in the same God, can come to different conclusions and still be worshipers in the same space. To be an encourager rather than a judger means that you see that each has it’s God assigned task and cannot and should not be measured against the ministry of another.
Encouragement means to equip, pray and kick a person out of their complacency to the unique call, gifts and passions of God in their life. Many would rather sit still and do nothing than be criticized, but the encourager is there to remind us that the naysayer is not the person speaking for God.
The encourager will not be an enabler. They will not “do it for you.” They will not give you the excuse that you are OK if you do not try and keep trying. Encouragers are there for marathons, not for sprints. They do not let you settle for less that who God wants you to be and become. Over the years you know someone they can become more or they can shrink in the eyes of belief, God, and yourself. While God will always love them, they will lose that which they had if they do not use it according to the promise and intent.
This week, I pray you have an encourager and that you are being an encourager. If you are not in a positive, powerful, and moving ministry area at Covenant of the Cross that challenges you to reach your potential - find one and commit. When you do you will find God, until you do you will just be lazy and enabled to death by the mutual admiration society around you. I encourage you today to reach for the promise of significance and find the power of God rushing through you!
Blessings,
Pastor Greg
posted by Covenant of the Cross at
8:48 AM
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