Romans 1:12 NLT
When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
Am I balanced with regards to my spiritual needs?
Am I steeped in my problems, or do I experience deep hope in the power of my Lord?
I love this verse!
In light of our circumstances with the coronavirus, we have been advised by the government not to meet in groups, which flies in the face of the way that we are called to worship.
Hebrews 10:25 NLT
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
But we are also ask to respect the wishes of our governing authority as well.
Romans 13:1-2 NLT
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.
Thankfully, we can meet virtually with the technologies that we enjoy today while our Pastor gives his Spirit-filled message as if we were sitting right in front of him.
I can’t imagine what it is like for him to stare out into an empty auditorium.
Heavenly Father, please strengthen my Pastor as he ministers to us in the only way that he can face the challenges that we face.
I pray that he remains faithful to Your Word and that his message is met with hope and encouragement and strengthens the flock he was put in charge of.
In Jesus name, I pray, Amen!! 🙏❤️
Back to my original thoughts, so how do we encourage each other through this time of isolation?
1. Remain in God’s Word and continue to pray for each other.
This has always been important, but how faithful have we truly been with regards to this?
With the hustle and bustle of my life being reduced due to the nature of this virus, am I taking this time to center myself on the only thing capable of changing my heart, mind, and attitudes? God’s Word.
2. Continue to connect with others.
Am I reaching out to those I normally connect with at church or am I isolating myself?
With Facebook and all the other social media platforms available, let alone the phone itself, am I reaching out to those around me?
Am I watching the services being offered by the church online?
How we react during this time of isolation may reveal to us where our hearts are before God.
Is my desire to connect with my church, or is it to enjoy this time of isolation?
If it is the latter, I suggest that you bring this before God immediately.
My mind goes immediately to a lot of people that my heart longs to see, the people I want to talk to, and the hugs that I miss with every day that passes.
This verse explores two sides of encouragement.
The first is to encourage others in their faith. When I meet with the others in the church, do I lead with encouragement, or am I always in need of encouragement?
If I am always in need of encouragement, this is a heart condition that I need to bring before God. This is something that can only be solved by the work of the Spirit.
Here is the fruit of the Spirit:
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
If I am missing any of these attributes, I can be assured that there is unresolved sin in my heart, separating me from God.
But our faithful God will not leave us there.
Psalm 19:12-14 NLT
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
When we come before God with a heart submitted to genuinely wanting to change, God will provide us with the path to follow.
It is then our responsibility to submit our wills in favor of God’s will for us.
So be there first to encourage!
The next part is ”to be encouraged” by the faith of others.
I don’t know about you, but I love stories of others challenged by circumstances and people, but they ”stand firm” to God’s Word and overcome.
This provides a lot of hope and encouragement to me.
And it is my desire to be that example of encouragement to others as well.
Psalm 86:5 NLT
O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
Matthew 6:33 NLT
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Heavenly Father, let my life encourage those around me and let those around me inspire my life.
I pray that You continue to provide me with the desire to seek You out with every fiber of my being.
To continue to be inspired by Your life-changing Word.
Let this challenge we all face pass from us, and I pray for Your mercy and healing for everyone affected by the coronavirus.
Let this change our hearts and minds to put You first in our lives and to seek our way to serve You through truly ministering to the needs of those around us.
In the living, loving and gracious name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!! 🙏❤️
