Encouraging one another

May we all be among those who live – and grow – by faith, and may we “be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith” in a way that will increase our devotion to him – and, as we read in Hebrews, by “encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (10:25). Paul also makes this point in Romans. We read, “… wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand … put on the armour of light. Let us walk properly...

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Resources | Today's thought - based on the daily readings
“That we may be mutually encouraged”. (January 27). It has been well said that 'no one lives in a vacuum' – we all in...

Exhortation -Exhortatie of uiteenzetting

Under the tag "exhortatie" you shall be able to find articles about "exhortations" or acts of exhorting, the giving of advice and explanation of Bible readings. It concerns the language intended to exhort, to urge strongly and earnestly, or to counsel, and the giving of a religious discourse.
By the Christadelphians or Brothers in Christ a moment in service is taken to give attention to an explanation or reading by an other brother about a matter to think of. The lectures given in services of the Brothers in Christ are moments of thoughts and consideration. The "exhortatie" or "exhortation" announces to urge, to call on, to set at, to stimulate, to urge, to inspire, to incite or to spur, to give on, as well as to give further explanation over the read Bible texts.  The exhortation is not only necessary (only) an admonition, to be be brought to reprimand, or for information; also the positive of an exhortation can be brought forward .  It also can be an occasion for a call to do something, to consider, to do or to follow something up or to imitate something or someone, and itcan be a moment to reflect and to give encouragement .

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Onder de tag "exhortatie" zal u artikelen vinden over lezingen die in diensten van de Broeders in Christus worden gegeven om de mede gelovigen aan te zetten tot nadenken. De "exhortatie" of "aansporing" dient om aan te manen, op te roepen, aan te zetten, te stimuleren, te inspireren aan te wakkeren of aan te sporen, alsook om verdere uitleg te geven over de gelezen Bijbelteksten.
De exhortatie hoeft niet enkel een vermaning, berisping, of terechtwijzing te zijn; ook het positieve van een aanmaning kan naar voor gebracht worden. Eveneens is het een gelegenheid om een oproep te doen om iets te overwegen, te doen of iets na te volgen, iets of iemand te imiteren, en kan het een ogenblik zijn om te reflecteren en aanmoediging te geven.

Duty of encouragement

William Barclay said,
"One of the highest of human duties is the duty of encouragement.
It is easy to laugh at man’s ideals.
It is easy to pour cold water on the enthusiasm.
It is easy to discourage others.
The world is full of discouragers.
We have a Christian duty to encourage one another.
Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation
or cheer has kept a man on his feet.
Blessed is the man who speaks such a word."

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Plicht van aanmoediging

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2016 linkupdate

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The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands
in moments of comfort and convenience,
but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,
if any comfort from his love,
if any fellowship with attitude,
if any tenderness and compassion,
then make my joy complete by being like-minded,
having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose."
Philippians 2:1-2

God, let me always make the right choices by challenges,
and let me continue to approach the others in tender compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > De ultieme maatregel van een man is niet waar hij staat

Change

CHANGE

Do you remember when you were a child, school holidays seemed to go on forever, chewing gum never lost its flavour and when on a long journey the destination never seemed to come! Parents always got exasperated with comments like ‘I’m bored! How much further? Are we there yet? Parents also got fed up with putting their hands on age old chewing gum stuck to chairs and bed heads! Childhood just went on and on, but imperceptibly we grew and matured until the day came when the first tentative steps were taken to live alone. It may have been when going to college or university or just wanting independence, but sooner or later we left home and the first major change occurred in our lives. Sadly, there are children who through tragedy experience life changes and insecurity at earlier ages, but by and large our awareness of change comes as we reach young adulthood. But even as the moves towards independence come and changes occur, somehow they are made with the knowledge [even if not admitted] that not so far away the stability of home is still there.

Our seventy years of life is very brief and as we grow older, changes come with increasing rapidity. The passage of time is marked by changes in life both good and bad; marriage, birth of our own children, kindnesses and loving care from others bring joy. Yet that joy is tainted by sorrow as we lose through death the company of those whom we love, the unexpected always happens and we sometimes hit a physical or spiritual brick wall, in the sense that illness, disease, disability or the unkind and ill thought actions of others take their toll. We come know our own weakening and ageing. Old age comes to all and we realise all too quickly our own mortality.

In a well know hymn we sing that ”change is our portion now.” How true this statement is. Some changes come so quickly others imperceptibly. Just like the second and minute hands on a clock, the rising and setting of the sun and the changing of the seasons are marks on the clock of life signalling the passage of time and change. But at the same time, we can stare at the hour hand of a clock and not see it move, yet it does in time, but that movement is slow and imperceptible to our eye. So also, many life changes occur imperceptibly. The changes we need to watch are the spiritual changes and such changes can be both good and bad. Life has many paths and crossroads always come. The path we choose is not always of necessity right or wrong, but the choices will lead to different outcomes and those outcomes will have an effect for good or ill upon our spiritual well being.

We are constantly changing even if we cannot see it. We react to stressors in life and the changes that occur can gradually debilitate or strengthen faith. Those changes are happening and constantly will happen. What we need to do is to make sure that we are changing in the right direction.

So how do we measure spiritual change? Well, just ask yourself do I know more about the scriptures now than say last year? Do I read the Bible more or read less frequently than a year ago? What have I learned over the past few months? Do I attend the meetings and meet with my brethren and sisters as often as last year? How often do I pray?
These things are a sort of spiritual barometer of change. If the mercury falls then we read less often, learn less, become less motivated and apathy sets in. If we read more and take in what we read, then we will learn. The more knowledge increases the more our zeal and enthusiasm will grow and the barometer goes up. Change occurs in the right direction and faith is stronger.

Similarly, we need to review the circumstances that trigger prayer. Ask yourself, does prayer come only when I am in need, or do I actively seek contact with Yahweh through prayer in times of joy, to express thanksgiving, but also to commune and meditate upon the wonderful, glorious characteristics and purpose of Yahweh?
Life is in a constant flux of change and much of that change is beyond our control, but we do have control over how we respond to change. We also have a measure of control over what changes we initiate ourselves. Response to change will be governed by faith and by our mental characteristics. That hymn rightly states ‘change is our portion now’ but equally as correctly says: ‘Faithful is Yahweh’s word, I will be with thee saith the Lord’.  The words of scripture are truth indeed and are unchanging. If God be for us who can be against us!

We maybe recall King Asa was told, "Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.” Equally, Paul’s words of exhortation and encouragement come ringing through the years:

“The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light.” Rom 13:11-12

So let us resolve today, NOW, to seek God while He may be found, to make changes that are likely to enhance and strengthen faith, to respond to changes in a way that will please Yahweh and to follow the principles of scripture day by day.
Andy P.

Companionship

In the Christadelphian Waymark of December 2008 you can find an article on Companionship.

some quotes:

We all need companionship. One of the curses particularly of western society is loneliness. ...

Loneliness can lead to feeling isolated, lead to depression and even lead to suicide. Some people are able to establish new friendships, but for others forming friendships is more difficult. For most people finding close friends that they can trust and confide in, is not easy.

Brethren and sisters in Christ are no different, often family can be far away and we all need companionship. But for us knowledge of the gospel message of hope, brings, or should bring, a totally different perspective. You see no matter what our circumstances, we are never alone!

...

loneliness will not assail us to the point of despair.

...

Our primary relationship is with God, He is our Father and if we live according to the light of His word, then we have fellowship with Him. Fellowship with others who share the same precious faith comes as a product of fellowship with God.

... it is not good for one to seek isolation from those who share the same precious faith. But there are many who live in isolation through circumstance beyond their control, or who go into isolation because circumstances dictate that they must. Those in that position need the support and encouragement of all the other members of the body.

But if we do live alone then we still have that sure knowledge that God is ever mindful of His children. We can all read books about the Truth, read magazines, read exhortations, listen to tapes and in many do things that help to make us feel part of the one body. A husband and wife can support each other, but if companionship of other brethren and sisters is present, then this is a great blessing from God.

If we do have the companionship of brethren and sisters, let us then be grateful for it and make the most of our time with each other. Let the focus be upon building each other up and encouraging each other while we can. Let us never take this benefit for granted or neglect meeting together. Let us be givers and not takers, workers and not hinderers, supporters not complainers. Let us be grateful to God for companionship, yet content if need be to be dwell alone. Though we truly are never alone, for He is always with us.

 - Andy Peel

> full article: Companionship