Ministry of Encouragement
by Steve Popoola
“…Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.” -Hebrews 10:24 NLT {“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” -Hebrews 10:24 KJV}
Have you ever found yourself in situations where there was no one you could turn to for encouragement, no one who understood the way you were feeling or when people felt you were making a big deal over a small thing? Well, I have, and I can assure you that it is not a pleasant place to be.
However, I have also experienced situations where the encouragement of one person made the difference in my life. Such was a situation I faced sometime in 1992.
I had spent two years working with my employer who also professed to be a Christian. I remember my excitement when I received my letter of appointment to start work in the Company. I knew during the interview that the employer was a Christian so I looked forward working in such an environment. I was invited to worship in my employer’s church by another Christian friend and I started worshipping there regularly. A couple of months later, my excitement had gone cold. I soon learnt that for some, business does not have anything to do with spiritual things.
Two years later, I decided to move on and I resigned my appointment. My employer asked me to give him more time to get someone as ‘trustworthy’ as I was. Unfortunately, that was my undoing. During this period, a lot of accusations were leveled at me ranging from dishonesty to downright theft. I, who had been trustworthy for over two years had become dishonest within two weeks!. Things fell apart between us and I left without being paid my due. The matter got to the leadership of the church and we were summoned. I was a new member, but my boss was a long-standing member and holding a leadership position. It was therefore his word against mine. Unfortunately, his standing in church was more of a consideration than anything else so I was told to think the matter through and repent.
That was a dangerous moment for a growing Christian. Such event could have flung me back into the world but God was in control. There were two men in the church, one of them, my former Sunday school teacher and the other my house fellowship leader. These two stood resolutely behind me. They refused to accept the decision made at the meeting and continued to encourage me even when I stopped attending the church. One of them even got me another job and stood as surety for me.
God later brought me back to the church and a couple of years later, my employer’s wife could no longer live with the burden of what had been done to me. I was invited to a meeting with her and she apologized for all the wrong that had been done against me. Unfortunately it was too late as the business had collapsed. The issue of forgiveness had been settled within me from day one. I was hurt but God had taught me the art of forgiveness so there was really nothing to forgive anymore after all this while.
These two ‘encouragers’ have become Pastors in different branches of my church. I see them only once in a while when my church holds a national program. I will never forget all they did to encourage me at that very crucial time in my growing life as a Christian. I shudder to think of what would have become of me if these men had not been there for me. That is why today, I use whatever means I have to encourage others. I believe I am not doing enough yet, but I am striving and praying for more grace to encourage anyone I come in contact with. I began writing in order to encourage, I also hosted my website in order to reach out to others in God love.
The scripture verse above says we should think of ways to encourage others. One way we can encourage the writers who inspire us to write more, is to encourage them by writing to them and letting them know how their stories have blessed you. You can encourage your Pastor by letting him know that you appreciate his labor of love or you can write him a short note after a sermon to let him know how much you were blessed by the message.
You can encourage your mechanic by telling him how you enjoy his services when he works on your car. You can encourage your wife when you tell her how much you enjoyed the food you had just eaten. You can encourage your children by telling them how much they bring joy to your heart.
To encourage is to strengthen, to encourage is to refresh, to encourage is to provoke good deeds in others.
Encourage someone today!
Steve Popoola was born in London but currently reside in Lagos, Nigeria with his wife Maris and two children, Praise and Stephanie. He works in a bank as a Systems administrator. Formerly an active singer, he still sings occasionally and speaks at invited forums. He is the editor of an online newsletter, The Biblepraise Newsletter.
To subscribe, send blank email to
biblepraise-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
He can be reached through His email address, stpopoola@yahoo.com, or visit his website at http://www.biblepraise.org
”From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.” –Hebrews 10:13
Source : Sherry’s Inspirational http://groups.google.com/group/Sherrys_Inspirational
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