ARE
YOU AN ENCOURAGER?
Memorise
Greatly desiring to see thee, being
mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
2 Timothy 1:4
Read
Acts 4:36-37
36 And Joses,
who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The
son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37 Having
land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Message
Two peculiar perils that confront Christian
Leadership are discouragement and undue elation. A spiritual leader is in peril
of being unduly depressed by inevitable times of discouragement and being
unduly elated by inevitable days of uplifting experiences and achievements.
Both of these seasons are experienced in every work for God. It is important
for a spiritual leader to be watchful in seasons when everything goes well,
when goals are reached, when planned endeavours are crowned with success, when
the Spirit moves, souls are saved and saints are blessed. At such times, a
mature leader should know on whose brow to place the crown of achievements. He
should be careful not to arrogate to himself the glory that belongs to God
alone. There are also moments of discouragement. These are seasons when
everything seems not to be going well, when goals are frustrated, when planned
endeavours flop, when the Spirit refuses to move and worship services seem
insipid and lifeless. At such times, a leader needs encouragement. He should
however be careful not to misbehave. Someone summed up what should be the
attitude of a wise leader at moments of elation and discouragement in these
cryptic words: “If successful, do not crow; if defeated do not croak”. Everyone
needs encouragement. Everyone needs assistance. Everyone needs comfort.
Everyone needs the prayers of others. Apostle Paul knew this truth when he
requested in Ephesians 6:18-19 that brethren should pray for him. Are you a
source of encouragement or an instrument of discouragement to your leader?
There are several ways Christians can encourage their leaders. One is by
obedience. Obey your leader. Make his work easy, enjoyable and interesting for
him. Demonstrate that you love him. Be his friend.
“Ye
are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”
John 15:14
Another way to encourage your leader is through
voluntary service. Render assistance to your leader. Do whatever you can to
boost his ministry and ensure that it flourishes. Use your talents, gifts and
material resources for the furtherance of the work entrusted into the hands of
your leader. Be sacrificial in your service. The dispensing of encouragement
should however be reciprocal. Just as subordinates are expected to encourage
their leaders, leaders should also encourage their subordinates. Our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ in Luke 8:2-3 was encouraged by Mary Magdalene and some
other women who ministered to him out of their resources. However, before these
women could minister to him, Jesus had encouraged them by his own ministration
of salvation, healing and deliverance. Additionally, a spiritual leader is a
father, and fathers are enjoined in the scriptures not to provoke or frustrate
their children (Ephesians 6:4). Do not deny them their rights and privileges.
Prayer
Point
Father, help me to be an encourager.
BIBLE
IN ONE YEAR
John 17:1-19:16
Job 33:8-18
Help me to be an encourager oh Lord
ReplyDeleteFather please help me to be an encourager in Jesus name amen.
ReplyDelete