BE AN ENCOURAGER
“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”–1 Thess. 5:11

Years ago during the world lightweight boxing championship match, a Scotsman was fighting against a man from the United States who was six years younger. The Scot was the reigning champion, and the bout was being fought before a crowd of 20,000 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Soon after the match began, it was clear that the fight would be a close one. So chanting began to arise from the Scottish crowd. It was singing. It became louder and louder, with hundreds of male voices singing a strange Scottish melody!

These men were singing to encourage their champion. As he fought for his title, but even more for the respect of the Scottish people, they wanted him to know they were behind him.

As a member of the body of Christ, it’s your job to encourage one another as well in the great battle of faith. When you see some who are struggling in obedience to Christ’s call on their lives, and others who are on the front lines expanding the Kingdom of God in places all over the world, your role is to be an encourager and cheer them on. Then, when it’s your turn to step into the ring, they’ll encourage you too.

Never underestimate the power of an encouraging word. Studies have proven that words of encouragement help those who are struggling. So find someone today who needs an encouraging word and help them fight their battle of faith by encouraging them!

Pray that God would show you someone who you can help fight the battle of faith today with an encouraging word or note.– Senior Living

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

GOSSIP
“And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.”-– 1 Tim. 5:13“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”-– Eph. 4:29

Jack Graham tells this humorous, but serious story: A well-known gossip by the name of Martha Jones attended the same church for several years. One day, it was discovered that she had a benign tumor that had to be removed. So the following Sunday, a prayer request about this was printed in the church bulletin.

As the church members came in and took their seats, sporadic laughter could be heard in the congregation as people opened their bulletins. Curious, the pastor took a look to see what the fuss was about. Apparently, there was a typo that read, “Pray for Martha Jones, who is in the hospital having a rumor removed.”

This brings us to the next kind of lie: gossip. This is information you receive that you don’t know is true, but you pass it on because it’s too good to keep to yourself. That sounds innocent enough, especially if you didn’t start the rumor. But reputations have been ruined by the spreading of untrue gossip.

So to avoid the lie of gossip, follow two simple rules: 1) If you don’t know it’s true, don’t repeat it. And, 2) don’t pass information on to anyone who doesn’t need to know it. Steering clear of gossip will maintain your integrity as you love others well enough to uphold their reputation and character!

MAINTAIN INTEGRITY AND PROTECT OTHERS’ REPUTATIONS BY STEERING CLEAR OF GOSSIP.

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

With Eternity in View

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

History records many stories of great heroes of the faith, one of whom was Polycarp. He was a committed Christian living during the time of the Roman Empire. The Caesars thought they were gods, and they wanted the people to start worshipping them as such. The basic routine was for Roman subjects to swear by the genius of Caesar, essentially saying that Caesar is lord. It made the Caesars happy, but it proved to be a dilemma for Christians, because for them, Jesus was Lord.

Among them was Polycarp, who was arrested and brought to the arena. The Roman proconsul gave him a choice: either curse the name of Christ and make a sacrifice to Caesar, or die.

So Polycarp answered, “For eighty and six years have I been his servant, and he has done me no wrong, and how can I blaspheme my King who has saved me?”

They took him to the stake to be burned, and when the soldier lit the fire, the flames encircled Polycarp but didn’t touch him as he sang praises to God. So he was thrust through with a spear, and his blood extinguished the flames.

“Such a tragedy,” we say. But I don’t think of it as a tragedy. Everyone has to die. The tragedy would have been if Polycarp had denied the Lord. We put so much stock in what happens here and now, but we don’t think about eternity.

Maybe you’re going through a fire of sorts right now, a time of great difficulty. I want to remind you that if you’re a Christian, Jesus Christ is there with you. So don’t lose hope. I know it may seem like there is no end in sight, but take heart. He is with you. And He will see you through it.–Greg Laurie

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346