I Am Created To Encourage Series

A recent news story, which aired on a CBS show called "On the Road Again," credited a young man who made a decision to place the success of another his priority. The student who succeeded in the story had a disability and had been the team manager of a high school basketball team. In his last game as manager, the coach decided to suit him up and play him in the game. The manager’s name was Mitchell Marcus. When Mitchell entered the game, in the final minutes, his team did everything they could to help him score a basket. But in spite of their efforts, and Mitchell taking a few shots, there was still no success. Their final attempt to get Mitchell to succeed in making a basket, resulted in Mitchell missing the pass, and the ball going out of bounds to other team. What happened next is an awesome illustration of encouraging another. A senior player on the other team held the ball to pass it in for the final play of the game. But instead of passing the ball to his team, he decided to, as he put it, “Treat others as he would want to be treated." He called out Mitchell's name, who happened to still be standing by his basket, and he threw him the ball. Mitchell turned around, shot the ball, and made the basket just as the buzzer sounded! Here is the link to the news story: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57570865/act-of-sportsmanship-gives-texas-high-schooler-shot-at-glory/

We all have disabilities. We all have areas that we can improve upon. As the body of Christ, we are all in this perfecting business together. Galatians 6:1-2 (NIV) 1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

We fulfill the law of Christ when it is our goal that others succeed in their faith. Can you help carry their burden and encourage them to succeed?

4. Look for the righteousness in them

Many times Paul had to encourage Christians through some very tough issues like pride, selfishness, idolatry, greed, prostitution, sexual immorality and adultery. Most of the time, we are not even dealing with these kinds of issues and we still would rather point out the faults of others. In Romans 1:8-12 (NIV) 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world…10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you. 11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong-- 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.

In the letter to the Romans, Paul dealt with selfishness, homosexuality, hypocrites, and other sins, yet, he did it all in love. First, he said something that he could praise them for. “I thank God for all of you, because of your faith.” Next he was in prayer over them and finally he longed to see them to impart a spiritual gift to them and to fill them with courage! Can you thank God for the person that you have found fault with? Will you pray earnestly for God to impart a spiritual gift to them so that you both can be mutually encouraged? Are you so focused upon what is lacking in them that you cannot even see the righteousness that Christ is doing through their life?