Have You Been An Encourager Lately?

Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.
Hebrews 10:24

It’s vital for God’s people to be encouragers in a season of time when there can be so much despair!  Our nation’s economy has put a damper on every family.  The things we thought we could count on in the past are being stripped away. We are the church of Jesus Christ who is always to “consider one another.” This is not only our direction in good times, but also in the tough ones.  Do we think of other folks needs before our own?  Do we remember the great opportunity to bless someone else during our day?  It’s easy to be selfish and only be concerned with our own needs and families, but what we need most is to be surrounded by some spiritual cheerleaders who will “stir us up in love and good works.”

I had the opportunity this week to teach and help some new church planting teams.  They were filled with anticipation, but also with fear!  They all understood that they are embarking on a very stressful journey filled with hard work and on the front line of ministry.  Although our teaching team was there to encourage these new church planters and their core teams, these folks were encouragers to us!  In fact, I believe every person involved in the workshop this week left at the end with a wonderful sense of God’s grace and strength.  Everyone felt lifted up and blessed.  That’s what God’s people can do for one another!  We’re placed here by the Lord to do life together and love each other through it all.

I feel privileged to serve as your pastor and your friend.  It is our joy to serve with you and do life together.  We all have an opportunity: “to consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.”  I’ve seen the great love River’s Edge has for one another.  Let God’s love continue to reign over us all!

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.  Jonathan will be sharing about his medical mission trip to Haiti in the morning worship time.  It will be a great day to encourage each other.

I love you all,

Pastor Stephen