Being active in the ministry of encouragement

By Dean Collins

As Paul wrapped up his first letter to the Thessalonians, he gave believers several clear instructions about how to conduct their lives as they waited for Christ’s return.  Paul’s instructions are clear and practical. These instructions give us a path for how our work and ministry can be effective. Here are a few of Paul’s instructions:

 “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.” 

 In other words, stay focused on Christ’s return and be prepared for the opposition that the enemy will surely bring. Not unlike Paul’s instructions in Ephesians 6, we are to be spiritually prepared for whatever attacks come our way.

 Paul then shifts to this simple advice: “encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” As we carry out our various ministries, we are to be active in the ministry of encouragement.

 Expressing gratitude

Today, I want to spend a little time telling you about someone who has been a huge encouragement and help to me in recent years even as he had a very important ministry of his own.

 Some of you know my friend Mark Taylor much better than I do, having known him and his work as a writer and editor throughout his 41-year career as an editor with Standard Publishing. Many of you do not know Mark; but if you have been a regular reader of my devotional blog, you have been blessed by his work in recent years.  

 Today marks the end of the first full week that Mark has not been editing my blog. For nearly 3 years, Mark worked as a volunteer daily improving and correcting my mistakes.  When Mark called me several weeks ago to tell me he needed to retire from his labor of love, I completely understood.  In some of Mark’s Saturday writing on my blog, he shared a few years ago about his dear wife Evelyn’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Yet even when his care for Evelyn increased, Mark continued to help me produce my devotional material.

 Along the way, as Mark wrote on my website, many of us realized that the journey that Mark and Evelyn experienced needed to be shared. Mark is and continues to be a blessing to many readers as he now shares much of his journey on his own site.  If you care for a friend or loved one with Alzheimer’s or with any long-term health issue, you will benefit from Mark’s honest and transparent journey he is regularly sharing. Mark’s writing about his journey is a huge encouragement to his readers and needs to be continued.

 I had known about Mark for many years but had never really gotten to know him until a mutual friend introduced me to him at a conference. Mark quickly began to encourage me to write and even offered to help me.

 As I read the second paragraph of 1 Thessalonians 5 today, I decided I needed to do exactly what Paul said we all should do: to show respect for those who labor among you in the Lord. I am grateful to my friend Dick Alexander who introduced me to Mark and to Mark for many months of challenging me, encouraging me, and helping me with my daily writing.

 My blog will continue. I have a couple of friends helping me now; and in the months to come, we will also be making some more changes as I continue to write from scripture each day.  

 Toward the end of chapter 5, the apostle Paul tells us “to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in all circumstances.” I pray that as we all grow in our faith, we will learn to be more consistent in sharing joy with each other, praying for each other, and expressing gratitude to God for his blessings as well as for the blessings of those God uses to help and encourage us.

 So thank you, Mark. You are a kind and good friend. We will be praying for you as you continue your journey. Thank you for sharing your time and talent with my readers!

Link to Mark’s website: https://www.unchosenjourney.com/blog

Your Time with God’s Word
1 Thessalonians 5:12-18 ESV

Photo: https://www.unchosenjourney.com/about-us
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