Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.
(Hebrews 10:24 NLT)
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. The refused to accept the decision
made at the meeting and continued to encourage me even when I stopped attending
the church. One of then 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 joined the Moonflower Ministry as a writer in order to encourage, I also
hosted my website in order to encourage people who are hurting and need
direction.
The scripture verse above says we should think of ways to encourage others. One
way we can encourage the writers of Moonflower ministry 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 labour of love, his visitations 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 stpopoola@yahoo.com
Steve Popoola was born in London but currently reside in Lagos, Nigeria with
wife Maris and son, Praise. I work in a bank as a Systems administrator .I am in
charge of the publications unit of my Church and was recently appointed
Assistant Youth Director. I also love to sing and teach. I can be reached
through my email address, stpopoola@yahoo.com , or my family web site at
http://www.biblepraise.org
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.