Date: 08/28/2023

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to Him be the Glory, Power, and Dominion forever and ever and to the Holy Ghost that is yet abiding in the body. This month’s key word is ENCOURAGEMENT!  

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin,” Hebrews 3:13. First Thessalonians 5:11 instructs us to, “… comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” My brothers and sisters throughout the Bible we see instructions to encourage one another and verses that are meant to encourage us. You may wonder why encouragement is emphasized in the Bible? Because encouragement is necessary in our walk of faith.

Without encouragement, hardships become meaningless, and our will to go on wanes. Just like the prophet Elijah we struggle with discouragement (I Kings 19:3-10). “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against . . . the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).  Encouragement is important because we face the world’s displeasure and spiritual battles. Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us, when we are encouraged in Christ, we have strength to put on our spiritual armor and remain steadfast. 

In closing, encouragement makes it easier to live in a fallen world. Encouragement makes it easier to love as Jesus loved (see John 13:34-35). Encouragement gives hope (Romans 15:4), helps us through times of discipline and testing (Hebrews 12:5), nurtures patience and kindness (I Corinthians 13:4-7 and Galatians 5:22-26; makes it easier to sacrifice our desires for the advancement of God’s Kingdom. In summation, encouragement makes it easier to live a Christian life. Because without encouragement, life would feel pointless and burdensome, we would be overwhelmed by the pains of our lives, we would feel unloved. The Bible tell us to encourage one another and reminds us that God loves and equips us.  It also helps us to experience abundant life (John 10:10). Until next week, remember, “… with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26)”.

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop