ACTS 20:1-2 – After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece.
THEME OF THE DAY. OXYGEN FOR THE SOUL. It is the easiest ministry to do. Every Christian is equipped and commanded to be in this ministry. It requires no training, no extensive education, or a huge amount of personal sacrifice. And when this ministry is happening among Christians, its impact is far and wide. We will never be able to measure how effective it will be in this life, but I am convinced at the Judgment Seat of Christ, how faithful we were to this service will be highly regarded by the Lord. It will matter a lot. In describing this ministry, it has been called, “Oxygen for the soul.” I am referring to what the Apostle Paul practiced twice in today’s scripture – encouraging other believers.
Today, in our churches and among Christians we know, there are not a few who are feeling like the air is being sucked out of their lives by tough circumstances, difficult situations, and trying relationships. We are surrounded with brothers and sisters gasping for fresh air midst the pressures, stresses, and anxieties of life. What do they need? Air. Fresh air. The refreshing winds of encouragement. And it must come from us – God’s people.
So, to be those givers of “oxygen for the soul” to suffocating believers, what are specific steps to take in the ministry of encouragement? Here are three. First, we must embrace the command of God to do so. Friends, encouragement given is a command to obey – The writer of Hebrews tells us this is a responsibility – 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 (Hebrews 10:24-25). Unless we are compelled by God’s Word as a command to obey, we will not be consistent. And this isn’t “joyless obedience” or “have to” obligation. Yes, there is a “have to” when it comes to obeying God, but it is a constraint of love, not bondage. God commands us to encourage His people. Don’t rationalize it away or reduce it to a suggestion to consider.
The second step to be active in the ministry of encouragement is put the interests of others ahead of your own. The Apostle Paul exhorts us to this end – Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2:4). Here is the make or break point in being a minister of encouragement to others. Unless we learn to “put self on a shelf” to put the welfare of others ahead of our own, we will not be active in this ministry. We simply cannot give to others anything and especially encouragement, if all we do is look at ourselves, focus on ourselves, and walk blindly in the world to those who need “oxygen for the soul” in the form of encouragement.
The final step in being active in the ministry of encouragement is be intentional. This intentionality takes on two forms; first pray for God to give you a heart of encouragement, then pray for Him to give you hearts to encourage. Then, be the answers to your prayers. Reach out to encourage. The means to reach out are limitless. Only your creativity with follow-up actions hinder your ministry of encouragement to God’s people.
Oxygen for the soul. It is a good description of encouragement. Let’s strive to be used by God in the lives of His people giving them the fresh and liberating “air” of encouragement from the Lord.
PRAYER: “Father, help me to forget myself and look to be others-centered in the ministry of encouragement.”
QUOTE: “We are surrounded with people needing the fresh air of encouragement. Strive to meet that need.”