We as Christians are brothers and sisters in Christ. We are the body!
As long as we are here on this earth, we will all have different opinions, feel, think, see, do and believe differently. The trouble is, how do we handle those differences? Do we lash out in anger or hatred “all in the name of the Lord?” or do we speak with compassion?
We can express our different opinions with love without being condemning, hateful and downright ugly but we simply choose not to, plain and simple.
Do we have His eyes and heart to see the world with compassion? Do we love like He loves? Do we care for the weak and weary like Jesus does? Do we have the passion to be the one person that will spark another to do right for the Lord?
All it takes is one spark! Often we are the only picture of Christ that some people will ever see.
So, my heart wonders what picture of Christ we are showing to people every day.
Do they see us reaching out and helping or do they see us shaking our heads saying “you made your bed now stay there?”
Do they see us reaching down to help someone up or us kicking those that are already down?
Do they see us doing our part to spread the word about the eternal Love of Christ or are we keeping all of heaven’s treasures for ourselves?
Do they see us handling ourselves as Jesus would or do they see us being anything but Christ like?
How can we be the strong chain of strength that helps support each other, instead of the weakest link in the body?
- Support your Pastor and let him know just how valuable his leadership is. There is no reason why you shouldn’t let him know this monthly. Cards, gift cards etc.
- Use encouraging words and verses freely. Twitter, Facebook and other social media avenues are amazing to reach large groups of people at once.
- Give your time, talents and treasures to your local church. Don’t be stingy with any part of these.
- Encourage your Small Group Leader or Sunday School teacher. They need to know that their efforts touch hearts too.
- Pay close attention to the elderly and children around you. Don’t just forget about them. Shower them with love and attention.
- Give cards of encouragement freely and often! Encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ.
- Welcome everyone into your congregation. EVERYONE! A warm smile, gentle hug or handshake will do wonders to make people feel welcome.
- When you greet people in your congregation, greet them by name as it will help new people to remember names easier.
- Sing out. Sing. When your heart is troubled, sing praises to Him.
- Before the Sunday Service (or any service), pray and ask God to bless your heart from HIS word and then expect to receive a blessing.
- Encourage your children to learn Bible Verses. Learn verses with them. You never know when this will strengthen someone else.
Remember, WE are the body!
Keep reaching, keep telling others about HIS amazing grace & sacrifice, try, daily to reach someone for the Lord and keep being the best picture of Jesus ever!
Your voice in daily life and here on the web is another chance to touch ONE MORE SOUL! Use it! Use your resources!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. How are you showing other believers the true love of Christ? What about Non-Believers?
Are you teaching your children to live and love like Christ? Or do they immediately point out the negative things they see about others?
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I’ve often said it’s the small things that make the biggest difference. A kind word, a helping hand, etc. may not mean much to us but can change the course of someone’s day. It also shares the love of Christ with them at the same time!
So true. We often get focused on what we can’t do and forget about what we can do.
Thanks for the encouragement this weekend!
@spreadingJOY
Thanks for sharing this, Marie! I think this is so important! I work in the nursery at church and I try to connect with all the parents as they drop off their precious babies on their way to service. Our church is pretty big so I know that the small interactions I have with them might be some of the only ones they get to make them feel welcome and loved especially if they are visiting. For the parents that I know well, it is just as important since you never really know what a person is going through and it is such a privilege to be able to serve them as part of the body of Christ. I think sometimes being part of the body isn’t glamorous (i.e. changing diapers in the nursery or the foster parenting we do!) but serving in the little ways like that are so truly important and just being an encouragement to people around you, as you said, is huge. Loved your post!
-S.L. Payne
uncommongrace.net
Yes, every bit of encouragement helps. We need to keep building each other up. There are enough things and people in this world who tear us down. Jesus did say that others will know we are His by the way we treat each other. Good post.
Supporting the body of Christ has been on my mind a lot lately as well. I think words of encouragement are such a good way to build up other believers. It is such a small thing, to say something kind and encouraging but at least for me it does a lot every time. I love all the ideas listed here, though!