Encourage

I remember friends over the years who said they felt like they were dropped after they were baptized.  They felt like the church didn’t care about them after they became “members,” except for the money of course.  That’s why we work so hard to not only empower, but to also equip people to walk together with God.

Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:22-25 NIV)

While we are being equipped for the first time, everything seems so complicated.  The Bible seems hard to read and understand.  Church and denominational differences seem impossible to understand.  Even the church politics is tough to navigate.  Over time, though, these things all seem to get easier.  I remember another friend of mine who said, “It’s really not as difficult as we make it out to be.”  He is right.  Walking together with God really is simple.  That’s why we are all called to go out and reach others.

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:26-31 NIV)

When we reach out to others, God’s got our back.  We are empowered by God through His Son and His Spirit.  We are equipped by God’s Church who works together to build us up into Christ who is the Head of the Body.  Finally, we are encouraged to go out and empower, equip, and encourage others as well.

How about you?  Do you encourage others in their walk together with God?