“But encourage one
another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be
hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” – Hebrews 3:13
This summer, our team has experienced spiritual warfare in
many different ways: whether it be physical, mental, emotional, etc. Alongside
prayer and scripture, we have used visual reminders around our apartment as a
form of encouragement through it all.
“And let us consider
how we may spur one another toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up
meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one
another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25
Also, we started doing something called S.O.S. which means
Supporting Our Sisters. Every week we all pick names out a hat and that is our
sister to encourage and pray for the week. We all have mailboxes on our doors
where everyone can leave notes, small gifts, etc. Besides leaving things for
each other we also find others ways to encourage through serving each other.
Then at the end of the week we all get to reveal who our SOS was for the week. It’s
just small things like this can help us all when things get hard.
All of the motel outreaches, all of the refugee home visits,
all of the backyard bible clubs, and everything else we do is in vain if we do
not center it all back on Christ. As humans everyone has rough days and we
often forget and need to be reminded of who we are and whose we are in
Christ. No matter what our
circumstances, good or bad, we always need encouragement and we always need to
keep our focus on Christ above all.
“Let us fix our eyes
on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him
endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the
throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so
that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” – Hebrews 12:2-3