Help! Love, MOM

Romans 15:4  NKJV For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Be encouraged! is too often a throwaway, inconsequential, mindlessly stated, “churchy” phrase. 

However, the faith of some of the most weighty, important Bible characters including Moses (Exodus 18:9-23), David (1 Samuel 23:15-17) and Paul (Acts 11:25-26) as well as unknown, nameless saints, like those in Acts 11:22-23 and many others have been helped to wage a successful spiritual warfare by the faithful encouragement of a friend in the fight.

That is to say that God’s people are significantly and positively influenced by timely, biblical encouragement to continue to believe and behave with Christ-exalting boldness. The ministry of encouragement, then, potentially, is a practical, refreshing and necessary, though often neglected, ministry and means of God’s grace. 

First, notice that encouragement especially as conveyed in these scriptures is a present help in trouble.

Jethro visited Moses and counseled him in a more sustainable leadership direction. Jonathan, though himself not hunted or haunted by his father in the same way as the future monarch, went into the wilderness where he visited with David, and where he also strengthened the hand and heart of his friend in the LORD.

Joseph, usually called Barnabas, traveled to Antioch to visit with the newly saved in that great city and exhorted them to continue in the faith. 

This is not to imply or to convey that other methods of encouragement are less consequential. Certainly, in our day we appear to be fully committed to the gift of electronic meetings.

Meanwhile, there were those stalwart saints of the past who sent cards. I am still one of those!

Of course, in our time, we tend to send texts or direct messages, and occasionally calls through social media and on our actual phones 

Whatever method we choose,  isn’t it encouragement itself and humbling to know that someone was thinking of you and me and stopped to send some prayer, blessing, some thought to God on my behalf?

Oh to be to be remembered, to know that the saints have set aside their own cares and are, instead, seeking God on one’s own behalf is a sweet gift: amazing and most kind. 

However, additionally, the Bible indicates that the encourager is often a traveler, too. He or she willingly, goes to the one in need.

Please note this important distinction in this increasingly digital world. As AI becomes more ubiquitous, I believe that physical presence will grow only more priceless. 

With the goal of encouraging the faith of some dear one, the LORD may ordain obtaining a boarding pass and not just a pass code for a zoom meeting.

I pray to continue to be willing to take on the blessing and burden of traveling to be fully present for the brethren. Certainly I have been the recipient of such a grand and gracious blessing.

Everybody wants to be encouraged, yet encouragement can be challenging to find and receive.

When I was the executor of my mother’s estate during the Pandemic I needed help getting mommy’s house ready for sale. MANY DEAR PEOPLE helped me – thank God forever.

My cousins drove from the NY area to the south and rebuilt my mom’s deck for me.

My family charged me nothing, they stayed with me through our AC going out one night in the midst of a summer heat wave, and they gave me advice on how to proceed on a number of items. They also bought dinner for all of us. SUCH amazing cousins!!!

Even if they had done none of that and had “just” visited with me, their presence alone would have been a great comfort.

In addition, my mother’s friends freely rendered ongoing assistance in keeping the house in good order during my long pandemic-imposed absences. I will love and be grateful to God for Ms. Lynne and Mr. James forever!!

Secondly notice that encouragement benefits both the well – known and the nameless.

Famous in our time and their own for their positions and deeds, Moses, David and Paul are towering figures among Jews and Christians. Conversely, those names of the new converts in Antioch have been lost to us.

How both the mighty and the “mini” might have fallen if not for the encouragement of God as mediated through His people who dared to believe for others and to speak into their lives.

Perhaps some mistakenly link sentimentality with encouragement. Others may believe that the need to prevaricate sits at the heart of encouragement. These viewpoints, if accurate, would indeed empty encouragement of its profound power. 

Thankfully, encouragement is biblically precise. It is not chat bot-inspired or worldly wisdom of recycled, empty words and phrases to only “cheer up.” 

While “cheering up” is important, biblical encouragement proffers strength rooted in holy writ heralding hope in Jehovah’s desire to, for example, give divinely inspired winning strategies (Ex 18:17-23), to stand behind the  promise to crown the fugitive (1 Sam 23:17);  and to energize Gentile believers to continue to be lights in a dark world (Acts 11:23).

From my earliest conversion to this very moment, encouragement from the scriptures, often through God’s people, has been one of my lifelines to faithful, gospel living.

I hope to be faithful to the LORD and His people to the end of my days and to finish well, having encouraged someone else to also love the LORD and finish well.

Just last week I was suddenly very ill.

I am rarely sick, and I wasn’t sure what to do. However, I believe that the LORD encouraged me through my daughter and a dear friend, my Lady Sandra’s, electronic guidance and presence.

In addition, the medical staff at the urgent care office and then in the ER gave expert medical assistance as well as being super kind and friendly.

I was comforted, encouraged, and strengthened. And, thank God, I’m still here.

My Friends, all kinds of news is all around us:

• The government’s now month-long, historic and beastly shutdown has prompted partial SNAP subsidies. This is of concern to millions of needy families who rely on the assistance to feed their families. Our family received this type of aid back when the program was called “food stamps. “

• Here in NYC, we just elected a new mayor. A Muslim, democratic socialist, Zohran Mamdani, will be at the helm of America’s largest city, my hometown.

• The other night the LA Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays in the baseball world series.

• Prior to that, Charlie Kirk’s assassination was front-page news and at the heart of many discussions.

• Before that, the big news was a school shooting in Minnesota.

• This past summer, campers were washed away in a storm in Texas.

And on it goes.

In other words, for any number of reasons, there are people all around who need encouragement.

I encourage you to get busy being an encourager. Become a heavyweight encourager! Someone is waiting to hear a good word from you.

Many Blessings,

Kimberly