Reconciliation Ministries

What Encourages You?

Greetings dear brethren, greatly beloved of God,

I recently received a letter asking, "what encourages you?" I was so touched by the question. I had never thought of that before. And in 16 years as a Christian I do not ever remember anyone ever asking me "what encourages you?" I was touched by the kindness and genuine concern and consideration shown towards me, and overwhelmed that someone would care enough to ask.

I have never stopped to think about what "encourages" me. So, below is my answer, and hope you will be "encouraged" by it. For those of you who do encourage us and have over the years in a tangible way ... thank you!

My response to the question "What encourages you?"
You asked what encourages me most? A good question and I have had to stop and think of it. Three things came to mind as I thought on your question...

1. The Word of God encourages me- Romans 15:4-5

2. Seeing people who on HEARING Gods Word respond Biblically in obedience and submission to it. Those who on hearing Gods Word, submit and are hungering for more, This encourages me greatly and encourages me to keep giving out what I know to them. This encourages me. - 3 John 4

Where at the same time it saddens me to see people professing to be His Representatives who carry on without making adjustments to Him and His Word, this saddens me very much. It is a Christianity that is subjective bases on how one feels and pre suppositions rather than what God has Revealed! Living as one wants in the Name of Christ, yet choosing to ignore His Precise truth on issues. Especially in leadership. Those who have the responsibility for others. This brings great sadness to my heart.

3. My Children learning to Obey - 3 John 4

4. Another thing that greatly comforts me is seeing the Lord have people IDENTIFY with us and PARTICIPATE with us in The Gospel- Phil 1:3-5 as we continue to go and preach and teach. Those who He raises up to come alongside us. This is at times a great encouragement, to see someone identify with what we are doing.

5. And my wife, Cindee, is a great encourager to me in encouraging me to keep going when at times I may wonder if I should...especially in the earlier years. Before I married Cindee, I had a dear friend who was a great encourager to em... to keep going and as he would say "fan the flame within you.." He encouraged me when at times there were not too many who were. I am Grateful to the Lord to Him for that dear brother... and fifteen years later to still be going on because of his encouragement is the Graciousness of the Lord and the kindness of a friend....


Recently I had been thinking of Barnabas, who is called the "son of encouragement." He "encouraged Paul, when the other disciples feared him, he encouraged John Mark, when he was rejected ... and I thought who encourages
the encourager? Well, Some ways to do so are:
A. God encourages- Romans 15:5
B. God uses His Word to Encourage- Romans 15:4
C. God uses His people to encourage one another- Hebrews 3:13.

Indeed it is to be what we are to do on a daily basis... Put courage into one another by speaking truth, identifying with one another...so that we may all "run the race set before us looking unto Jesus the Author and Perfecter
of our Faith… Consider Him" - Hebrews 12:2-3.... in order that we may not "lose heart in doing good..." Galatians 6:9... and to "...be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."- 1 Corinthians 5:58.

Encouragers are not in abundant, when you consider the amount of complaining, grumblers, faultfinders, but we must all choose to Honor Him and choose to encourage one another.. while it is called Today... So, that was a good question and got me thinking, and as best I know I would say those are the things that encourage me: Himself and His Word; People who hunger for Him and are taking in what they hear and APPLYING God’s Word; My children learning to obey; those who choose to identify with us; My wife's encouragement over the years to keep going when others have not been as supportive or as sympathetic... these five things encourage me, especially number two. And in thinking of each one it causes me to give thanks to Him... Thanks for your question! Hope this helps. I believe this is the first time anyone has ever asked me what "encourages you." Thank you for your consideration!

Aidan for Cindee,
MARY, JOHN-KEITH, NOAH, EVAN, ISAIAH

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