Encouragement x hardships

❄Six steps to encouragement ❄

❄ Gordon Cheng ❄ Matthias media ❄

We are currently doing the book six steps to encouragement and i just wanted to share what i learnt from the first 4 studies as i try to apply them to my life. 

Why do we need to speak God’s word when encouraging others?

• ·      God’s word is powerful and it changes us. Through us, it can change others too.

• ·      The power is not in the messenger but in the message. (But we should still strive to live Godly lives because our actions can make our words attractive or unattractive.)

• ·      Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (We should follow what God says and we can rely on him for guidance.) 

God’s role & our role

• ·      God gives the Christian growth and we partner God by helping in the ‘planting’ and ‘watering’
• ·      We should not overestimate our roles because it may lead to: us doing things for the wrong reasons and seeking to glorify ourselves instead of glorifying God, us trusting in our own abilities and not trusting God.
• ·      We should not underestimate our roles because it may lead to: us holding back the gospel and us not being a good steward of what God has given and blessed us with.

What don’t we bring in God’s word when someone needs encouragement?

• ·      We don’t know what to say
• ·      We don’t know if it’s a good timing to say it
• ·      We are scared of being judged (people might think we are trying to be holier-than-them)
• ·      And the list goes on…

Why do we have to go through hard times? How do we encourage?

(Romans 8:18-30)

• ·      Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (sufferings are short term and we should look at the big picture- the glory that is yet to be revealed to us)
• ·      Romans 8:20-21 “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” (God’s will and to obtain the goal- freedom of the glory of the children of God)
• ·      Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
• ·      Romans 8:30 ”And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

(James 1:2-4,12)

• ·      James 1:2-4 “Count it all joy my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
• ·      James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life.” 

(1 Peter 4:12-19)

• ·      1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”
• ·      1 Peter 4:13 “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”
• ·      1 Peter 4:14 “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”
• ·      1 Peter 4:16 “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.”
• ·      1 Peter 4:19 “Therefore, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”

(Hebrews 12:1-13) 

•  Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (people can see if our actions match up with our words so we should live the rest of our lives with endurance and strive to be a  good witness of God)
• Hebrews 12:7 ”It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?”
• ·      Hebrews 12:11 “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

So that's all for now. 

God bless ✝