Six Short Helps for Young Christians
Hey again!
Here are a couple of quotations that may help in tough days and priorities reminders:
The Greek word is parakaleo, which literally means "to call alongside." It presumes that its object is under pressure (fearful, weak, overwhelmed), and it means to strengthen by giving appropriate aid. Ancient Greek authors sometimes used it to describe military reinforcement during battles. Biblical encouragement presumes that Christians live under intense pressure--not just the normal pressures of everyday life in a broken world, but also the pressures of serving Christ in a spiritually hostile environment--and therefore need to be spiritually strengthened on a regular basis.
Biblical encouragement communicates God's truth and hope in ways which personally strengthen us to go on following God's will for our lives. Jesus wants his followers to form communities that are rich in reciprocal encouragement (read 1 Thess. 5:11)--and therefore are beacons of hope to lost people.
This is one of the most powerful features of Christian community! You can master the art of encouragement and incorporate it into your everyday life. The results in your own spiritual growth and your impact on others (spouse, children, work associates, neighbors, Christian friends) are incalculable.
Brownlow North (1810-1875) Six Short Rules (Helps) for Young Christians
1. Never neglect daily private prayer; and when you pray, remember that God is present, and that He hears your prayers. (Heb. 11:6).
2. Never neglect daily private Bible reading; and when you read remember that God is speaking to you, and that you are to believe and act upon what He says. I believe all backsliding begins with the neglect of these two rules. (John 5:39).
3. Never let a day pass without trying to do something for Jesus. Every night reflect on what Jesus has done for you, and then ask yourself, "What am I doing for Him"? (Matt. 5: 13-16)
4. If you are in doubt as to a thing being right or wrong, go to your room and kneel down and ask God's blessing on it. (Col. 3:17). If you cannot do this, it is wrong. (ROM. 16:23).
5. Never take your Christianity from Christians, or argue that because such and such people do so and so, therefore, you may. (2 Cor. 10:12). You are to ask yourself, "How would Christ act in my place"? And strive to follow Him (John 10:27)
6. Never believe what you feel, if it contradicts God's Word. Ask yourself, "Can what I feel be true if God's Word is true"? And if BOTH cannot be true, believe God and make your own heart the liar. (ROM. 3:4. 1 John 5:10-11).
Now that I am completely convicted on the last quotation, rereading the first one helps. These are things that I have read and I hope you enjoy these.
grace.will
Here are a couple of quotations that may help in tough days and priorities reminders:
The Greek word is parakaleo, which literally means "to call alongside." It presumes that its object is under pressure (fearful, weak, overwhelmed), and it means to strengthen by giving appropriate aid. Ancient Greek authors sometimes used it to describe military reinforcement during battles. Biblical encouragement presumes that Christians live under intense pressure--not just the normal pressures of everyday life in a broken world, but also the pressures of serving Christ in a spiritually hostile environment--and therefore need to be spiritually strengthened on a regular basis.
Biblical encouragement communicates God's truth and hope in ways which personally strengthen us to go on following God's will for our lives. Jesus wants his followers to form communities that are rich in reciprocal encouragement (read 1 Thess. 5:11)--and therefore are beacons of hope to lost people.
This is one of the most powerful features of Christian community! You can master the art of encouragement and incorporate it into your everyday life. The results in your own spiritual growth and your impact on others (spouse, children, work associates, neighbors, Christian friends) are incalculable.
Brownlow North (1810-1875) Six Short Rules (Helps) for Young Christians
1. Never neglect daily private prayer; and when you pray, remember that God is present, and that He hears your prayers. (Heb. 11:6).
2. Never neglect daily private Bible reading; and when you read remember that God is speaking to you, and that you are to believe and act upon what He says. I believe all backsliding begins with the neglect of these two rules. (John 5:39).
3. Never let a day pass without trying to do something for Jesus. Every night reflect on what Jesus has done for you, and then ask yourself, "What am I doing for Him"? (Matt. 5: 13-16)
4. If you are in doubt as to a thing being right or wrong, go to your room and kneel down and ask God's blessing on it. (Col. 3:17). If you cannot do this, it is wrong. (ROM. 16:23).
5. Never take your Christianity from Christians, or argue that because such and such people do so and so, therefore, you may. (2 Cor. 10:12). You are to ask yourself, "How would Christ act in my place"? And strive to follow Him (John 10:27)
6. Never believe what you feel, if it contradicts God's Word. Ask yourself, "Can what I feel be true if God's Word is true"? And if BOTH cannot be true, believe God and make your own heart the liar. (ROM. 3:4. 1 John 5:10-11).
Now that I am completely convicted on the last quotation, rereading the first one helps. These are things that I have read and I hope you enjoy these.
grace.will
posted by ipastorwill at 9:29 PM
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