Exhortation/Encouragement

Romans 12:6-8 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, [let us wait] on [our] ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, [let him do it] with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 

To exhort is to encourage, to cheer or to stir up. We need such gifts among us in the body of Christ. 

Imagine a world without exhortation, how would it look like? One exhortation like this would make people join/stay in the ministry. Ministry by itself has some challenges but amidst them we need men to encourage us to move on. 

A monetary gift is an encouragement to a struggling minister or missionary out there to know that there are people who believe in their ministry and what they do. A good church attendance is an encouragement to the preacher, the anointing when preaching to a thousand people is not the same when one is preaching to one or two in the congregation. But more to that, a Word from God will keep them hopeful and do ministry the more. You joined the ministry through the call and the hope you got in the Word, the Word should keep you and sustain you in it. 

When John the Baptist was in the prison cell, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus whether he was the one Israel was waiting for as their saviour or he wasn't. Jesus before answering them first performed many signs and then told them to go tell them what they have seen or heard. He pointed John back to the very word which he knew John was aware about in the book if Isaiah. I believe John's spirit revived after having been discouraged by the hard times he was facing.

The devil is good at using discouragement as a weapon against us. It's wise to know his tricks so that you cheer yourself up in times when you feel discouraged or worn out or get it externally through preaching or counseling. The word to note there is feel. All discouragement is in the feelings realm. So it's good to deal with your feelings by the Word of God and don't let them dominate you. Speak to yourself regularly about past victories, hear past testimonies of those who have made it in ministry, think about what is that good, acceptable and perfect will of God. 

A mighty man of God Elijah felt a huge sense of discouragement after killing the prophets of Baal and went out on the run, a hid himself in a cave, running away from Jezebel. At that point God sought a replacement and told him to go anoint Elisha in his place. Usually discouragement comes after a tremendous victory or accomplishment you have got. The devil's tricks you into thinking that maybe you haven't done good enough or points you at what didn't work well. Stop such voices by speaking out the Word loud. 

When people are lazy or weary, such people need a stirring. The ministry by itself is hardwork and the body gets fatigued. Sometimes you feel you wouldn't want to do something which got you tired before and yet you need to because ministry activities are repetitive. It's in doing the work of God that you engage your whole spirit, soul and body. In other secular work you can be at your job physically yet mentally your mind is at home or on issues you are facing. But not when your ministering otherwise if you bring your sadness onto the pulpit, people won't be blessed at all. Others overwork themselves to the point of breaking down or burn out. If the devil cannot stop you from doing what is good, he ensures you overdo it to the point of burn out. That's why it's good to get regular breaks, vacations and retreats to refire. We have been wired by God to work from our rest and not rest from our work. Over working is not good as you may burn out but at the same time over resting is not good as it may turn out into laziness. You need the wisdom to balance. 

Revival meetings are good to stir up a sleeping church to do again the things they used to do and are no longer doing. The energy, the anointing, in the meeting is so high not to leave the members the same. They get up to go out to do God's work in power.

Child of God, you need all the encouragement you can get to stay longer in the ministry and also enter into new phases of your ministry. 

EK