SUMMER PODCAST REBOOT – this episode was originally published in February 2020.

Welcome to Tuesday’s Podcast.  Our reading today is Colossians 1: 1-8.  Today we’ll focus on verse 6:

‘In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world – just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.’

REFLECTION:

Do you ever feel discouragement?

A few years ago, in my previous church, I was feeling really quite discouraged.  One day I saw that someone had shared an Alpha Testimony on YouTube.  I watched it.  It was so encouraging.  I felt a surge of encouragement.   I was so surprised.  I totally believe God can do anything he wants but the sense of discouragement I was feeling was pulling me down.  I think I must have watched loads and loads of Alpha testimonies during that season life.  I shared them with people.  I played them in our church at the time.  Some people loved them.

I learned a bit of a painful lesson in those days.  Bill Johnson, the American Pastor of Bethel Church, puts it like this – ‘I’m only a few steps away from discouragement – it’s my job to stay encouraged’.

Staying encouraged is really important.  It’s really vital – for life as well as faith.

Today I’d love to explore this:

Encouragement evaporates:  Store it, steward it and share it.

Today we start our journey in the book of Colossians.  One of Paul’s letters.  It’s written to a small church going through a tough time.  The church, planted by a man called Epaphras was one of Paul’s disciples in Ephesus.  He’s been sent to Colossae and has planted his church.  However, it’s a huge challenge.  He’s been to visit Paul – to seek advice from his old mentor and this letter offers much wisdom to the Colossian church.

There are 3 things that we should remember in the face of discouragement:

* Store it

If someone encourages you – store it.  Don’t be English about it.  Save it.  Celebrate it.  Reflect on it.  I know of a person who keeps an encouragement box.  Any letters, cards or notes – he stores.  Save positive emails, texts or DM messages.  Why?  Because it’s human nature – Psychologists tell us this – to reflect on the negative.  To let the discouragement define.  No, Store encouragement.  The apostle Paul’s message to the Colossian church is that he’s so thankful for them (vs 3); he prays for them (vs 3) and he has heard good things – of their faith – and love for people (vs 4).  This is a written record to be read out to the church.  It’s so tempting to remember the negative feedback; to be blighted by the difficult last job you left but encouragement evaporates.

* Steward it

I found a box of thank you cards from student worker days in London recently.  The devil will always try and tell you haven’t made a difference or you’ve wasted your time.  Steward the encouragement.  It’s proof that you haven’t.  Read the cards or letters.  It’s not indulgent when you read it with a thankful heart for God’s wonderful grace in your life.   Use it to encourage your soul.  In verse 6 Paul talks about faith, hope and love – he’s referring to the total change in the lives of the Colossian Christians.  He’s calling it out – he’s saying the gospel works.  Jesus changes lives.

* Share it

As we talked in yesterday’s Paul is a great advocate of being thankful.  A heart of gratitude is often a  heart the grace of God.  Much of verses 1-14 is Paul sharing thanksgiving.  The truth is that if our hearts are encouraged – of which we must take some responsibility for – then our encouragement levels then inevitable that will overflow to people around us.

Let’s pray that today, Tuesday, is a day of encouragement.  That we speak out blessing and life to a people weighed down by discouragement.

PRAYER: