“For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:1-3).
Do hearts of Christians ever need to be encouraged? Yes! “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:12-13).
Did you notice this command, given to Christians, is to exhort one another daily? The word exhort has the meaning to encourage, to strengthen, to comfort, to instruct. Why is exhorting needed daily? The answer is simple: “For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end” (Hebrews 3:14). Christians must be steadfast to the end.
We are commanded to encourage our Christian brothers and sisters daily to remain steadfast and never cease obeying the commands of God.
In your study through the Old Testament, you will read of many times when God encouraged the hearts of His people. Think on these two examples.
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
The New Testament gives this same encouragement to Christians. As Paul and Barnabas went about teaching the gospel, they continued to encourage those who had become Christians. “And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God ‘” (Acts 14:21-22).
Study these words to encourage your heart: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls” (Hebrews 12:1-3).
As the apostle Paul was exhorting the elders of the church in Ephesus, he spoke these words, “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). We also must allow the word of God to encourage and teach us daily.
May your hearts be encouraged daily!
By Dena Ivie
Dena and her husband, Charles serve with the church in Tatum, NM. Charles is the pulpit minister for the congregation of about 20 members from the local area. There are more articles by Dena on the ladies’ page of their website and onher blog.
Thank you for the encouraging article, Dena! I see that you worship with only a few, as does my family, and I think that encouragement is so important for us and our church family. I love that I can get on the internet and connect with so many other New Testament Christians and not feel alone. Cindy’s Digging Deeper study has been a special blessing to me…for the first time in my 36 years of life I feel like I can learn the Bible, get to the ‘meat’ and more importantly teach others:) And bless you for working in a small congregation, I’m sure they are blessed to have you and your husband.
BTW, we lived in Clovis, New Mexico for a short time when I was in Middle School:)
Thank you, Julie, for your kind and encouraging words! We are truly blessed working with this congregation. Your comment about the importance of encouragement for this, and other, small congregations. It can become very discouraging when attendance is small. But we have learned, we must do our part in trying to teach others and the response is then theirs to make. Thanks again!
Same here Julie, my husband preaches for a small congregation. I love the small church family atmosphere but sometimes feel a little lonely. Thank you so much Dena. I will encourage someone today!
Thanks to you, Alethea. We can begin to feel lonely in a small congregation (see my reply to Julie above). Be encouraged because the work you are doing is JUST as important as the work of those serving a large congregation. Where do you live, if I may ask you? Keep the faith!
Bellvue, CO. Northwest of Fort Collins. We work for a little mountain church. We just celebrated 100 years of work here in the same location.
Dena, There are so many times that I feel like I am the one that needs the encouragement and I have nothing left to give others, but God is always there to help me dig deeper and be able to have a kind word for another. There is always a blessing for the giver as well as the receiver in encouragement. Thanks for these wonderful verses to spur me on to greater encouraging of others. Also, I have been a member of smaller congregations most of the time and it is a blessing. As a way to reach out and build up the congregation, I suggest Neal Pollard’s book “Rise Up and Build”.
Thank you, morninglory74! Yes, working with small congregations is a big blessing. Because our children are grown and have homes of their own, my husband and I feel we can serve small congregations easier (in some ways) than those with a family to support. We also understand the need to be encouraged, but you said it well about the giver ALSO is blessed. Thanks for the book suggestion.
Encouragement is like a needed drink of cool water!! Sometimes we don’t even realize how thirsty we all are. ? I think we take giving encouragement for granted. Thank you for sharing. And I am going to work on giving those encouraging words more. ?
Thanks for your comment, Susan. I agree with your thought about us not realizing how thirsty we all are. So true! Blessings on you as you grow as an encourager. We ALL need to grow in this.
A very good article Dena, thanks for sharing and reminding us of the importance of encouraging to others.
Thanks, June. You have been an encourager to me since we “met online” several years ago!