8/13/08 "Encouraging Those You Lead"

[D.Lang]

S Acts 20:1 When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples
and, after encouraging them, said good-by and set out for Macedonia..

O Each place Paul would preach to along his way always seemed to end
in some sort of uproar. He and his young leaders were in the middle of
the struggle because their job was birthing the church. He expected
these trials because it was changing people’s lives and belief systems…
that will never be a pleasant thing in transition. After the turmoil
though, the best thing he could do was gather together the troops (his
disciples), and encourage them as he teaches before they move along to
the next mission.

A In our lives as Christians we will face many battles, some that we
may never think we will win…but along the way we all need to be built
up. As a leader in the church, I must frequently tell people how
important they are to me as I lead them. We all need to know our worth
especially in the midst of constant struggle. Their problems were tied
into the age they lived in…ours are different but all relative. Every
person needs to be strengthened and God gives us the tools to do that
through the love He shares with us.

P Lord, Please give me the right words and the wisdom to be that
encouragement my brothers and sister need. Help me to continue in
ministry with strength and endurance as I serve You. Amen