Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Encouragement (among believers) (11/08/07)
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TITLE: Encouraging Courage | Previous Challenge Entry
By Andrew James
11/14/07 -
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“Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. The Scriptures give us patience and encouragement so that we can have hope. Patience and encouragement come from God.“--Romans 15:4-5 (New Century Version)
I am still no closer to God than I was thirty seven years ago. In 13,432 days on earth, I have made no visible spiritual progress whatsoever. Since learning about God and His word, I have continued to live my life how I want, defining my own rules, ignoring His will for me, and choosing my own path. Knowing the truth and not applying it in my life is a painful reality. Each new day is an arrow from God ripping into my soul, opening another guilty wound which never heals. Because of my own choices, there is no sound spot in my flesh and no peace in my bones.
Maybe you think my faith is weak. But I tell you, my faith is strong. My belief in God and His son are real! My heart is filled with love for all things good. I love God whole hearted and whole souled, yet have no actions to prove it so. My feet continue to run towards what is bad. My worldly associates are of questionable character. My decisions are rash and poorly thought out. My motivation and strength leave me at the most critical of times. Psalms 38 is the mirror of my soul.
Are my defects repairable? Are my sins forgivable? I know my faith is alive but my works are dead. Faith without action is a preacher without speech. Yet despite my flaws, I must cultivate works. My lack of works is reason enough to label me a hypocrite. Yet, there is someone who has not given up on me.
Every week, for the last twenty years, I have studied the scriptures with a minister of God. This minister provides the hope and encouragement that one day I WILL change my life and model it after Jesus Christ. He provides hope and comfort from God by not giving up on me! He continues to encourage me, forcing me to see the truth, and to cultivate good habits.
The dictionary describes encouragement as “the act of giving hope or support to someone”. Most people would have fled years ago. This brother’s patience and continued interest in my spiritual well being has provided me with the encouragement and hope I so desperately need. The bible advises:
“Preach the Good News. Be ready at all times, and tell people what they need to do. Tell them when they are wrong. Encourage them with great patience and careful teaching…” --2 Timothy 4:2-3 (New Century Version)
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I believe that one day I will get it right! I will change paths, abandon the broad and spacious road of destruction, for the short, narrow path leading to eternal life. I will live my life in accordance with the Lord, deserting my own selfish ideas and put His will first.
I yearn for His approval. I want Him to take me close and tell me I am His son.
I will start today. I will change now.
There is no greater encouragement than that from above. God so loved the world that He gave His firstborn of all creation into death - an atonement for our sins - that we may have hope. Is that not encouraging?
“Jesus died for us so that we can live together with him, whether we are alive or dead when he comes. So encourage each other and give each other strength, just as you are doing now.”--1 Thessalonians 5:10-11 (New Century Version)
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