The Inspirer and Encourager!

“Be confident because God who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, and poet, said, “Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.”

One of the most favorite tools of the devil, especially in these last days, is discouragement. He uses this trick to attack the believers to stop their progress in spiritual growth and curtail their effectiveness. As the days come near for the second coming of the Lord Jesus, the devil would use this tactic more.

Almost all faith warriors in the Bible encountered severe discouragement periods. David was discouraged by the slandering tongues of his enemies and wicked threats. He penned his lowest condition in Psalm 55, “Oh that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.”
It does not matter how wealthy, strong and famous you are. The devil uses the same tactic to stop your progress. Listen! Because we live in a sin-bound world due to the consequence of our original parents’ (Adam and Eve) sins, life throws trash at you. You get wounded and bruised. No one is exempt. Life can bend you down. Life discourages you. It throws sharp arrows at you to destroy your faith, confidence, and effectiveness. What are you going to do on such occasions? Bible affirms this truth in Romans 11:29, “God’s calling and gifts are irrevocable.” This understanding is cardinal. Listen! People may stand against your progress; they may say all kinds of evil against you; they may leave you; your own trusted friend may leave you; they may mock and ridicule you. However, God says that His calling and the gifts He gave to you are irrevocable. It means His calling and spiritual gifts are not revocable. It is unalterable, irremediable, and cannot be changed. Keep it close to your heart.

Bible promises this in Philippians 1:6, “Be confident because God who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Who began the work in you? God. Who is going to carry it on? God. Who would complete the work started? God. Therefore, do not raise the white flag and quit when going gets tough. Going gets tough and troubling because you are at the center of God’s will, and the devil knows it and hates it. Just hang on, tough. He will complete the work that began in you successfully.

The Bible says God is the best encourager of the discouraged. 2nd Corinthians 1:3-4 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement. He encourages us in every trouble, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any trouble, through the very encouragement with which we are encouraged by God.” (TLV). If nothing you learned from this verse, remember two things: God is the God of all compassion and encouragement.

Your source of encouragement is God and His resources. God was with patriarch Jacob in all of his troubles. He was with David in all of his trials. He was right with Daniel in the middle of the flaming fire and the lion’s cage. Jesus personally followed Peter, covered his failure with His unconditional love, and reinstated Him with a commission – “Feed my lambs.”You see, beloved, God is working in you. How does he work inside you? By giving you the desire and the ability to do what pleases Him. The one who desires to do his work also provides the ability to do it. God is the best inspiration you would ever experience.

Someone correctly said discouragement is not an incurable problem. It is a curable disease. Nehemiah was discouraged and worn out in the work of God. However, the good Lord who placed the desire inside him to rebuild the walls gave him the strength and ability to complete it. Ralph was correct in writing, “Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.” That someone is truly God in Jesus Christ, who grants not only the desire to do but also inspires, gives ability and encouragement to do it. He faithfully carries what He began in you and completes it victoriously by His power and might.

Rest assured- God will make it happen as you seek His face and lean on him. When the Bible says, do not lean on your own understanding in proverbs 3:5 (b), we must stop and ponder over it. God has the overall final picture in His mind. He knows the end from the beginning and does not waver with your limited understanding. Our God is a big God with a gigantic plan and purpose for you, and He has millions and millions of ways to help you finish what began in you.

To get God’s inspiration and encouragement, first connect with Him by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came to this earth, carried your sins and shortcomings on His body, went to the cross, died, and rose again victoriously for you.

I can get you connected now. Pray after me.

God, I want your inspiration and encouragement in my discouragement and failures. I believe Jesus died in my place for my sins and rose again to save me and give me hope and eternal life. I accept Jesus as my savior and Lord. Please forgive my sins and save me today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”