Friday, June 20, 2008

Words of Encouragement

When we come together to praise God, our voices can blend together like a sweet melody in the ears of God. Shall we worship him together?


Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Colossians 3:15-17



Feed my Sheep. Seeking God Together. We are encouraged in this scripture to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts because we are all members together in one body. God's word should dwell within us as we teach and encourage one another on to good works. We are encouraged to worship together.



We sing songs of praise together. We give our testimonies about God's goodness together. We worship, we learn, we are thankful and we rejoice all together.



In all that we do and say, we are encouraged to do it with thanksgiving unto God. Why is this so important in feeding God's sheep? When we say we love God then we are obedient to his commandments. God calls us to come together and worship with one another because this is how we help to strengthen each other. We help to build faith in each other.



When I can see what God has done for you, I am encouraged. If I am going through a hard time and you give a testimony about what God has brought you through, I can rejoice because I know we serve the same God and what he did for you, he can do for me.



We are encouraged to learn together, to teach one another and to grow together because as a body of "sheep" we need to be healthy so that the entire bunch can be healthy. If there is disease going through the herd, then the other sheep can catch it and become sick. Well if there is sin sickness going through the people of God and no one is encouraging others to live right, then that sin sickness can take over the entire body.



We are called today to answer a question that Jesus asked several times to Peter, do you love me? What is your answer to this question? If it is yes, then Jesus say, feed my sheep. Teach them my way so that the wolves will not come in and capture them. Treat them as the shepherd and not as the hired help, do not run away when things get hard. Love them as you love me. And then worship together, share together so that you both can grow.

Lord, help us to love your people as you love them. Help us to allow you to lead us as you say and not try to decide our own way. This day, help us to release anything we are holding into your hands. Because today we say, we love you and we will feed your sheep.