LIFT ONE ANOTHER UP

March 23   “Lift One Another Up!”  1 Thessalonians 5:11

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Many years ago, I was a member of the worst baseball team that ever existed!  We were coached by the most arrogant and negative individual that I have ever met.  He was always shouting about what we didn’t do correct and how we could call ourselves ball players! We lost every game that we played, that season!  Our parents saw the issues and this man, was replaced, with another coach!  The next season rolled around and the same players showed up for the try-outs.  Amazingly, every one of us made the team.  This season, I was moved to catcher and the first baseman was moved to pitcher.  Coach Britt told us that we were here to have fun and to enjoy the game and to encourage one another!  Wow!  What a difference that a few positive words made in our attitudes and in our willingness to give it our all!  Instead of yelling about what we had not done, Coach Britt was shouting loudly about what we had done right!  Guess what?  Our team began to encourage each other and we really did become a real team.  Now, we made some mistakes!  After all, we were just kids.  Coach Britt, through some positive encouragement, was able to pull out of each one of us, abilities that had been dormant, the previous season.  I am here to declare that we did not lose a single game, that season, and went on to win the tournament and the trophy!  What was the difference?  Same players, same league, same field, same opponents, same fans… IT WAS OUR COACH!  He saw potential that we did not see and he was invested in our ability to grow and enjoy the game, along the way.  When I reflect on this experience, I am so glad to have had this “Real Life” example of the Biblical Mandate to “Lift one another up!”  Every one of us, encounter difficulties and challenges along this life’s path and we need the encouragement of others!  You reap what you sow!  The first coach was only interested in “tearing down,” while Coach Britt was interested in “lifting up!”  Folks; life is difficult enough without others trying to tear each other down.  As Followers of Christ, we have a responsibility to encourage each other and to lift each other up and to share each other’s burdens and challenges!  I pray that, as you continue to grow in our faith, that you will become an encourager and that you will allow yourself to be a channel of blessings for others!  Struggles and challenges are REAL!  Every one of us need encouragement…Jesus told His Disciples, in John 14 to…”Let not your heart be troubled…!”  If we follow the GREAT ENCOURAGER, and walk in Obedience to His call, then we are going to be strong and effective ENCOURAGERS of the BRETHREN!  So, I pray that each one of us will be a “Coach Britt!”  May we help others and encourage others and do what God has called us to do!!!  Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!