ON A MISSION, THE HEARTBEAT OF GOD: ENCOURAGEMENT ---
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol..com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
ARE YOU A KIND PERSON? DO YOU ENCOURAGE PEOPLE? Let’s be honest: KINDNESS and ENCOURAGEMENT STARTS IN US. TOGETHER IS THE BEST PLACE TO BE. Life should be better when we are with family and friends. ENCOURAGEMENT, KINDNESS AND JOY ARE HOMEMADE! Our goal in daily living should not be PERFECTION, but RATHER PROGRESS.
OUR MISSION IF WE CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT IS TO PRACTICE BEING AN ENCOURAGER.
DEFINE:
*EDIFY: to build, instruct, improve, build up, establish, uplift
*ENCOURAGE: support, to give hope, build confidence, inspire, comfort, stimulate, foster.
BROTHERLY HATRED. THERE HAS BEEN A DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY… STRESS AND DESPAIR RULE. BUT GOD REIGNS.
Esau and Jacob were brothers that could not get along with each other. They were the grandsons of Abraham and Sarah, children of ISAAC and REBEKAH. Even in the womb they battled. ESAU was an outdoors man. Jacob was a Momma’s boy. Daddy and Momma played favorites. The family lied and used deceit on a regular basis. ESAU sold his birthright for a bowl of split pea soup. Then he was angry with JACOB his brother. This was not brotherly love. ESAU MADE A VOW AS SOON AS HIS DAD DIED HE WAS GOING TO KILL JACOB. He was very serious.
REBEKAH did not want to see her favorite son die. She packed some food and some clothes and sent JACOB back to her side of the family in Haran. Can you imagine the distress and hurt that Jacob was carrying? He had to RUN AWAY from home to live.
JACOB IS GOING TO A STRANGE LAND. Jacob is not RUNNING AWAY by choice. He is running away from a desperate situation. He seems HOPELESS and HELPLESS. In the midst of this terrible storm GOD BRINGS ASSURANCE to this son of promise. GOD SHOWS JACOB THAT DESPITE THE HATRED AND RAGE, GOD’S TENDER MERCIES AND BLESSINGS WILL MINISTER TO HIS PROBLEMS. GOD IS IMMANUEL: GOD WITH US.
JACOB’S EYES ARE OPENED THAT GOD HAS MINISTERING ANGELS THAT WILL WATCH OVER HIM, LEAD HIM AND PROTECT HIM. THE DREAM IS REASSURING TO A MAN RUNNING IN FEAR AND DOUBT.
Genesis 28:10 And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. 11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. 13 And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; 14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
God has a plan. God permits Jacob’s eyes to be open to see God has ministering angels ON A MISSION. The mission is to remind a BROKEN YOUNG MAN… IT IS OK. There are angels to minister to JACOB’S NEEDS. The angels are ascending and descending to MINISTER TO THE NEEDS OF GOD’S PEOPLE.
WHAT IS THE HEARTBEAT OF GOD? THERE IS A LEGACY TO LEAVE BEHIND. THERE IS A MANDATE THAT GOD WANTS TO USE PEOPLE TO ENCOURAGE AND HELP OTHERS IN CRISIS, PAIN AND HURT. GOD MINISTERS TO PEOPLE CARRYING BURDENS THAT ARE CRUSHING.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Could there possibly be THE STRAW THAT BREAKS THE CAMEL’S BACK? Remember POPEYE’S line: MES HAD ALL MES CAN STAND AND MES CAN’T STAND NO MORE. When we arrive at the point that “WE BELIEVE WE CAN, WE ARE MORE THAN HALF THE WAY TO THE SOLUTION.” Spread the news: GOD WILL HELP EXTERNALLY. GOD’S SPIRIT HELPS US INTERNALLY. Be encouraged!
JACOB’S DREAM IS STILL ALIVE! WHEN I CAN’T FIX IT. IN SEASONS OF CRISIS AND DISPAIR WE MUST TRUST GOD. GOD CALLS US TO ENCOURAGE, EDIFY AND UPLIFT OTHERS IN THE STORMS OF LIFE. KEEP ENCOURAGEMENT AS A MINISTRY!
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. 9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
COME LET US FIND THE CITY OF OUR GOD. GOD IS WITH US. GOD PROMISES TO HELP US. JACOB’S GOD --- THE DREAM SHOULD HELP US REALIZE WE MUST ENCOURAGE PEOPLE.
BE A BEACON: BE A CANDLE. SO LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE. THERE IS A RIPPLE EFFECT.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
WALK A MILE IN MY SHOES. IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO ENCOURAGE OTHER PEOPLE.
Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Colossians 3:13 (MSG) Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.
SPEAK WORDS THAT EDIFY AND ENCOURAGE!
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (MSG) So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it.
NO ONE STANDS AS TALL AS ONE THAT STOOPS DOWN TO HELP OTHERS.
Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2 (MSG) Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law.
WE ENCOURAGE OTHERS BY BEING KIND, TENDERHEARTED AND SENSITIVE.
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32 (MSG) Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
HOW CAN I ENCOURAGE AND SPUR OTHERS TO REACH HIGHER?
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
DO YOU SOW SEEDS THAT BRING PEACE? ARE YOU AN AGREEABLE ENCOURAGING PERSON?
Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Romans 14:19 (MSG) So let's agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words;
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
1 Peter 3:8 (MSG) Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble.
CONCLUSION: To encourage others one needs to be a GIVER. THERE WAS A LEVITE NAMED: BARNABUS (Joseph): MEANS SON OF ENCOURAGEMENT. Barnabas was known for encouraging others. His name is listed 23 times in Acts and Paul mentions him 5 times. Barnabus’ helped PAUL get started.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
WILL YOUR HERITAGE BE AS A KIND ENCOURAGER?
