Bruce Hempel

The ministry of encouragement: We must have faith for our trials, everyday situations, and what God is doing inside us. We can go through life with joy! God wants us to have a song in trials. Just visiting another fellowship is an encouragement to them. Visiting a nursing home is an encouragement to the residents. Making a phone call to a friend or relative is an encouragement.

Romans 5:1-11: It is good to read the same passage of scriptures day after day for a week; it helps make the passage "sink in". Notice how much hope is in this passage. We should absorb this spirit of hope so it is part of who we are. The seminar I took last week in Ohio taught faith, hope and love. Mankind is in need of the Savior. During the flight to Ohio we had a conversation with a man. I had the impression that many were listening all around.

What are the fruits of the Spirit? (Ans. - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control.) If someone meets you, are they struck by the fruit of the Spirit? If you are lacking joy, ask for Christ's life, the life produced by the Spirit, to produce joy in you. The scripture says, "Christ in you the hope of glory." (Col, 1:27) The glory of God is His character. Faith is believing that God is working in my life to bring me to the full stature of Christ. Often what we think is humility is actually unbelief -- "God can't make me like Him." God is bigger than the garbage inside of me. God's word is true. If God has done something in me so far, he can certainly do a lot more. Believing this can fill our hearts with joy. Without faith we have fear and doubt. If you have faith and hope you will have joy.

The joy of the Lord is our strength. In Nehemiah 8 Ezra read from the law and the Levities explained it. The people began to weep; they were deeply convicted that they had failed. Ezra told them not to weep because the day was holy to the Lord; instead, they were to rejoice and celebrate God's feast and give a portion to others. We learn from this that we should rejoice even when we have understood our failure! When we see we have failed God wants us to have joy because our faith is in Him to change us, and He has promised to do that.

Psalm 19:4-5: The bridegroom comes forth from his chamber with strength. He is focused on running the race with joy. Sure the race will require giving his all, but he fully expects to win.

James 1:2: Count it all joy regarding the trials! Have we ever groaned about a trial? The Lord wants to take the groaning out and give you joy. People also notice if we are joyful. Don't resist going through suffering. A broken heart and contrite spirit brings joy. Joy comes from nothing between us and God.

Psalm 51:8 "Make me hear joy and gladness. Let the bones which You have broken rejoice." Godly sorrow produces joy; worldly sorrow produces death. God lifts us up as a parent does when a child falls. God wants you to get up when you fall. He is the God of encouragement.

Psalm 117 and 118: Have you been in a trial where you have felt this is the end? Many verses talk about a trial in the past and God's blessing afterwards (example: Psalm 23 and Psalms 103). We may go through something hard but God brings us through to a wealthy place. The trial is temporary. Also see 2 Corinthians 3:17-18.

Psalms 118:17-20 "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. The LORD has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, and I will praise the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous shall enter." The gate of the Lord is the trial we are in. Let us go through the trial! May the Lord give us strong joy and praise. Psalm 27:13-14 "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!"