Hebrews 3:12-13. “Brothers and sisters, pay close attention so you won’t develop an evil and unbelieving heart that causes you to abandon the living God. Encourage each other every day—for as long as we can still say “today”—so none of you let the deceitfulness of sin harden your hearts.” The Voice.

Hebrews 10:24-25, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 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.” NLT

We live in a world that is broken. Sin entered into this world through our first parents. Nothing now works in the way originally intended. Selfishness, deceptions, and unfaithfulness fill the face of this earth. Temptations to do wrong and sins are around us. Sin takes the joy out of people and it always leads to a place of grief and gloom later in life. Our dreams and expectations turn into depressions. Our relationships break, health deteriorates, career suffers, visions and ideas gets dim and many like this. Not only we the people but the whole creation groans and wait for the glorious day that is yet future. Now as we are in the midst of all mess, the Bible says the Holy Spirit of God helps. Not only the Holy Spirit but also God the Father, Savior Jesus Christ, the Word of God helps. God involves His children also in this marvelous helping process by the unique power of encouraging one another. We will see all this in this weekly insight below, as we read more.

Read what Romans 8:18-26 says, “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.  For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.  Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope,  the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.  And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.” (NLT).

Already but not there yet. This is how we feel now. Therefore God knows we need lot of encouragement on the way there to stay in track with the Lord.

“Encouragement energizes us. It empowers us.” Cathy Burnham Martin, An American author, and television news anchor said. Good and encouraging words can build us up even from ashes. Unkind words can bruise us internally and make us bleed and eventually die. The power of the tongue and our words have exceptional strength behind it. It can uplift or kill people. God wants His children to use their tongues in always encouraging and motivating not slandering. demeaning and accusing one another.

We all thrive on encouraging words, don’t we? We are wired in this fashion. Especially this is true about Christians. The writer of the Hebrew epistle in the Bible gives the dire importance of encouraging one another in the Church. The Bible says the triune God and His word encourages us continuously. Because the Triune God and His Word always encourage, we believers in the church were also called in to do the same thing one another. In essence, God and His Spirit do what He wants to do in and through the believers.

2nd Corinthians 1:3 says God and Father our Lord Jesus Christ is the father of all mercies and comfort (or ‘encouragement’ because the Greek root word is ‘paraklesis’ which is translated encourage and comfort.) Then it says in verse 4 and 5, God comforts/encourages us in all of our afflictions. You see our afflictions, trials, and problems are various types. However, in all these different types of sufferings, God comforts and encourages us. It also says there, “For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so through Christ our comfort/encouragement also overflows.” Not only Father God encourages us in our trials, but also through Christ our encouragement overflows. God encourages, and Christ encourages us in our difficulties. Romans 15:5 the same Greek root word is translated as encouragement. It says there, “the God who gives endurance and encouragement.” God gives us endurance (patience and perseverance) and here is our word ‘encouragement’ in the middle of our suffering. Philippians 2:1 says, “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,” meaning think how much encouragement we got for the Lord  Jesus Christ. We got big encouragement from the Lord Jesus Christ. The rest of the verses says Christ encouraged us when we were helpless,  by not considering equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;  rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-8). Not only His incarnation, coming down to this world from heaven is a big matter of encouragement for all of us, but also while He lived in this world, Christ encouraged the weary and burdened people. He said to them, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” What comforting and encouraging words to the broken and weary people. Jesus encouraged the disciples, and it is recorded in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” Jesus understands that you will have troubles and sufferings in this world. He said to be not afraid but be encouraged. Why? Jesus has overcome the world. If you are in Jesus, you will also overcome the world because He will help you to overcome your trials-no matter what. Jesus also said, and it is recorded in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” He encouraged the disciples and said His peace he gives to them. The world would not have this divine peace. It is in Jesus Christ. He will give it to you when you need it. Therefore do not let your heart be troubles not let it be fearful. In Philippians 4:13 Paul says, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Beloved, because Christ is in you and He gives you encouragement and strength, you can do all things. You are more than a conqueror because of His presence, help, comfort, and encouragement.

Now, we have seen God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, gives us encouragement and comfort in the time of our sad situations. God’s Holy Spirit, who is the triune person in the Godhead also is the source of our encouragement and comfort. The Greek word paraklytos (helper, encourager, and comforter) is used for Holy Spirit in the Bible. John 14:26 says, “ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” You see, the Holy Spirit God gives to all who believe in Jesus Christ is the constant helper, encourager and comforter to the believers. The Holy Spirit is with you forever and ever. Listen what Jesus promised at the time of His departure from this world, “He (Father God) will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever, that is the Spirit of truth.”

Bible says God the Father encourages/comforts and helps us. Jesus Christ encourages/comforts and helps us. The Holy Spirit, whose name is helper/encourager and comforter encourage us.

The Bible says, the Word of God, the Bible also encourages us. Romans 15:4 says, “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.” NLT. In essence, the Scriptures- Old Testament and New Testament-encourages and give us hope. We all can testify how many times in the past the Word of God encouraged us. It ministers to us. When a person speaks from the Bible, although it may have correctional items for our lives, it always encourage us. This is the function of the Bible – the Word of God. The ministers are to do this on a going basis.

Bible also says one more source of encouragement. That is the believers in Christ.  Of course, ministers and Bible teachers are to encourage other believers in their trials, problems, and challenges, but keep in mind it is not just their ministry. Encourage one another is the command of God to all believers because He knows how cardinal encouragement is to all believers in Christ. (1 Thess. 4:18; Hebrews 3:13; 25) Someone said encouragement is the oxygen to the believers in Christ. Spiritual deterioration and death can occur without daily and ongoing encouragement of one another. We will discuss more this point when we discuss Hebrews 3:12-13 below.

Paul said in 2nd Corinthians 7 when they came into Macedonia, they had no rest because they were harassed at every turn- by conflicts from outside and fears within. Then He said, “ But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.” You see God is the one who encourages/comforts the downcast. He did this through the visit of Titus. We can see this idea all through the pages of Scripture. Time and space won’t allow me to explain all these passages.

The believers who were scattered by the persecution and the martyrdom of Stephen scattered and traveled far to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to people. Some went explicitly to Jews, and the others went to gentiles (non-Jewish) and proclaimed the Gospel. Bible says God’s hand was upon them and many people believed in Jesus and turned to the Lord. When the Jerusalem Church heard about the conversion of many people, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. Then it says, “When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.” (Acts 11:23). You see Barnabas encouraged the new believers to continue with the Lord. They need the encouragement to stay steadfast in their faith. Barnabas was an instrument by which God encouraged them. Bible records in Acts 4:36, “Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). Barnabas name was Joseph. The apostles called him Barnabas. The  meaning of Barnabas is “son of encouragement.” What a beautiful name- I am the son of encouragement. Will people think this about us? Can you say I am a son of encouragement? Would others say you are an encourager? Or are they going to look on the other side when they see you? We need badly more encouragers these last days when going gets tough.

Acts 15:31 said that when the Antioch church gathered together, they were glad and encouraged by the letter sent out by the church in Jerusalem. Verse 32 says, “Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers.” Judas and Silas said many words to encourage and strengthen the believers. Acts 16:40 says, “After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.” Paul and Silas were arrested for the Gospel’s sake. However, when they were released, they went to Lydia’s (a believer in Christ), and there were brothers and sisters in her house. Paul and Silas encouraged them before they left from there. Acts 18:25-28 says Priscilla and Aquila and other brothers and sisters in Christ encouraged Apollos to continue to speak the Word of God vigorously.

God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit- the triune God -is involved in encouraging the believers in Jesus Christ. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit and God gives His Spirit at the time of your acceptance of Christ as your savior. Holy Spirit seals and indwells in you from that moment. His name itself is encourager/helper and comforter (paraklytos). Para means to come alongside, to summon, to encourage. Also, klytos means to call out someone. In short, Holy Spirit calls out your name, summon you to provide encourage and comfort. This is what He does every day and every time. Don’t you remember the time Holy Spirit called your name and encouraged/comforted/helped you? I experienced serious trial and troubles. Holy Spirit summoned, encouraged, comforted and helped me those times. I vividly remember those times, and I thank Him always for his presence, comfort and encouragement. He says I enter into the mess of your life. I will walk with you. I will comfort you, encourage you and help you. That is the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Now, you as a believer indwelt by his presence, He wants to do the same thing through you to others. God called us to be encouragers to others. People who are hit with severe problems, we need to come along with them, call them, comfort and encourage them. If you have Holy Spirit, you will do that because He who indwells in you want to do the comfort and encouragement through you, that which He would do anyway.

Bible says encouragement of one another is what believers should do as we live in evil days. As the rapture of the church and the second coming of Christ gets nearer and nearer, more and more evil things would happen in this world. For believers to continue with the Lord in faith and trust, they need big doses of encouragement, especially in these dark days.

I want to bring to your attention two Bible verses. There are many more. However, due to the shortage of space and time, I would bring two verses to your attention as we are entering into the time of more evil and dark hours.

Hebrews 3:12-13. “Brothers and sisters, pay close attention so you won’t develop an evil and unbelieving heart that causes you to abandon the living God. Encourage each other every day—for as long as we can still say “today”—so none of you let the deceitfulness of sin harden your hearts.” (The Voice).

Why is the encouragement of one another needed? Two reasons cited here. Encouragement of one another is needed so that you would not develop an evil and unbelieving heart that causes to leave the living God. Due to several challenges faced these days – relational, health, financial and many more- a believer’s heart can be removed from the simplicity of faith and trust in God. Remember when faced with life’s challenges in the wilderness journey, the heart of the Israelites became doubtful of the promises God made to them,  and the result was the peril of disbelief in God. We are also on a wilderness journey. We are on the way to our promised land, the eternal city and home whose architect and builder is God. Hebrew writer is encouraging us to stay in full faith and trust in the Lord. Do not become like the Israelites in the wilderness and doubt the words and promises of God. For this purpose, we ought to encourage one another. Brothers and sisters, if any time encouragement is needed in history, this is the time, don’t you agree?

Secondly, Encouragement of one another is needed so that none of you let the deceitfulness of sin harden your hearts. Listen every one of us fight and battle with sins and temptations. No one is exempt. The verse reminds us of the truth that sin is deceitful all the time. Always sin is deceiving. When temptation comes, sin looks very attractive, but it always leads in a pile of griefs later in life. You see, sin shows only temporary benefits. It always hides the long term consequences. It will never reveal the ruin and wreck it would create later in life. Sin is always a lie. It is a deception. Someone said sin promises, but it cannot provide the promise. Sin always leads you a place that you never imagined in your wildest imagination and regret and pain is the place one would end. It may promise A to B, but you end up in A to Z. This is why encouragement of one another is so important in Christian life.

Then it says how often we should encourage one another. It says to encourage one another every day for as long as we can still say “today.” What is this means?  As long as we can call “today” means encourage not only daily but also encourage all the time. Encourage one another in the morning, encourage one another in the noon, encourage one another in the afternoon, encourage one another in the evening, encourage one another in the night hours, midnight hours, early morning hours. Encourage  one another – for as long as we can still say, “today.”

Hebrews 10:24 says, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  Also, 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.” Why should we encourage one another? Now especially that the day of Christ’s return is drawing near. We should encourage for what? Encourage or motivate one another to acts of love and good works, not to neglect our meeting together, as some people do. Some people say I watch Sunday TV worship services and that is good for me. Let me remind you nothing can substitute your gathering together in a church with other believers. You need to be in touch with genuine and faithful Bible teachers, other believers in church meaningfully. It won’t happen unless you attend the church services. God does not want us to be loners just sitting alone. You need shaking your hands, you need a smile and encouraging words from other co-believers. You need to hear and feel God’s presence along with other believers in Christ in a physical place. However, I understand the situation where you are not able to go to church for serious health reasons. Keep in mind; almost all churches will be more than happy to pick you from your home and drop you back there. The only thing you need to do is give them a call. Locate a Bible teaching and Bible preaching Christian church via the internet or phone book and give them a call. If you have a ride problem, they will come to help you to attend the church with a happy and loving face. Please do not neglect the meeting together. Because some people neglect and God wants you to be in the church with other believers unless extreme situations. Another important fact is this. You have God-given gifts of the Holy Spirit. You should be using your gifts for the growth of other believers in the church. No believer is not granted a gift. The Holy Spirit granted at least one spiritual gifts to all believers to use in the church. Without your presence, the body of Christ (the church) is suffering the absence of that valuable gift.

God calls you to be an encourager always-24 hours and seven days of the week. It is an ongoing, continuous ministry God wants you to be in. A child of God has Holy Spirit indwelling inside you. Encouragement is His always ministry. More than that you have the triune God inside you because you are born again into God’s family. Jesus said and it is recorded in John 17:21, “Father, and I am in you. And may they (believers in Jesus) be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”

Pray to God to groom you to become an encourager. Study the life history of Joseph who was renamed by apostles to Barnabas. The first-century church called him “the son of encouragement”. What a marvelous name. Study the life history of Jonathan, the friend of king David. How did He encourage David in his dark days?

Do others in your church see you as an encourager or do they view as a discourager? Do they try to avoid you when they see you? Or do they run to you for your encouraging words? I came across with few believers who are truly encouragers. They always say something like this- God is with you brother, God loves you brother, God has more beautiful things for your life brother, God is going to expand your opportunities to serve him more, Be encouraged brother etc. They have only such words in their mouth. Always encouragers. God wants you to be like these encouragers.

Look for opportunities to encourage and faithfully do your encouragement ministry. Spot those who diligently work among you, those who feed you the Word of God. Encourage them because I bet they are being faced with many discouragements and desperate situations as they labor in the Word of God. Spot who is weak in faith, spot broken lives, needy, weary and sick. Spot who are struggling with addiction of various kinds. Let them know God still loves them, talk to them, help and pray with them. The opportunities are plenty out there. As the days nearby, darkness and evil things and incidents are going to increase. Get ready for more opportunities.

Finally, make sure you are encouraged in the Lord and the Bible. We will talk about how to encourage yourslef in the Lord in another article or weekly insight. For now, carefully read and mediate the Bible every day. Talk to the Lord in prayer continuously. Be sensitive to God’s voice inside you. When He talks, obey and go and do the encouragement ministry.  Talk to the  Lord in prayer always. May you become a channel through whom God encourage many in the near future. This way may you fulfill your divine role in the church.