One of the most debilitating forces we all face is discouragement. Most have started with much zeal and hope of accomplishing great goals. Those just saved are excited and zealous about doing something for God; however, they are often halted from doing what they planned.
The goal or dream they wanted to obtain required more effort to achieve than expected, or perhaps someone’s “help” discouraged them from even trying. Maybe an unkind word or even another’s disapproving look took the air out of their sails, and they drifted off course, never to accomplish what they had set out to do.
Encouragement may be needed more often when one is younger. One that has just been saved may require more encouragement than one that has been saved for a while. However, one should never use a lack of motivation or support as an excuse not to do what is right.
No matter the age, all get discouraged from time-to-time. What do we do when slowed or halted by overwhelming disenchantment?
Too many get discouraged and go no further until they are encouraged. This is never a solution to the problem. You will find, however, that God has provided wisdom for Christians to deal with discouragement.
The first step should be to get your mind off yourself and put God first in your life (Galatians 2:20, Gal. 5:24-25, II Corinthians 5:15, Romans 14:7). If we find ourselves discouraged, it is usually because our emphasis is not on Him, but on ourselves.
“Gulp! So it may be my fault I want to quit, not others. If I am part of the problem, then I can be part of the solution.”
The Bible instructs us to stop worrying about ourselves. Some of our happiest, most encouraging memories are when we put our energies into making another person feel better. A self-centered person is often unhappy and discouraged.
God knows that if we encourage those around us when we need uplifting, there will be someone to meet our needs in that area. Those who criticize and wound those around them with their cruel tongue and attitude should not be surprised that no one is around to help them in their time of need.
Moses, who experienced discouragement many times, knew what an encouraging word could do. When turning his leadership responsibility over to Joshua, Moses told the people they needed to encourage their new leader (Deuteronomy 1:28, 3:28). He also reminded them of how critical talk had disheartened them in the past.
Hezekiah, when trying to get Israel to once again serve the Lord, instructed the people to obey the law of God and give to the servants of God like they were supposed to, so they would be encouraged (II Chronicles 31:4). Josiah also knew the priests would be encouraged when others obeyed God’s command and served God properly (II Chron. 35:1-2).
There certainly will be times when no support comes from anyone around us. What does one do then? Most of the time, the only one that can encourage us is ourselves.
When the people of Israel were commanded to battle an opponent they did not want to fight, no cheerleaders ran to the center of the battlefield and urged them on. They had to encourage themselves. “And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day.” Judges 20:22
David faced many disappointments and was often discouraged. The king knew people would let him down, so he encouraged himself that God would help him as He had done in the past.
“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” I Samuel 30:6
How did David encourage himself in the Lord? He did it by remembering all the hard times and difficulties God had previously helped him with. If God had helped him in the past, David knew He would help him again! This faith assured him that no matter where he was or what he was facing, God would be there to help (Psalm 42:6).
Has God helped you in the past? If He has, and there is no unconfessed sin between you and Him, why would He not do it again? That is encouraging.
Now, I know all this, but the other day, I hate to admit it, I was a little disenchanted. I could not pull out of it by even encouraging myself until I walked into the nursing home where I preach each week. Almost immediately, a woman wheeled over to me in her wheelchair and started boasting about God. Soon, we were both bragging about Him. That encouraged me!
Later, we started singing the old hymns about Him and His goodness. That was also encouraging!! Remembering also how good God is uplifted me. That is what encouraging oneself “in the Lord” means!
We get unhappy when we do not get encouraged by others. Yet, how often do we encourage others? Sometimes, it is we who do the discouraging, intentionally or not. Although there are times for correction and rebuke, too often it does too much damage. We bring defeat to others by voicing our “opinion,” rebuking them, or even by our body language.
Our lack of work and participation can also discourage others. Moses knew this when he rebuked the people who would not join in on a battle. Their “letting the other guy do it” was a discouragement to those who were participating in the battle.
“… Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here? And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them? Thus did your fathers …” Numbers 32:6-8
Often our not helping in a situation makes the task harder for others to accomplish. Many soul-winners who wanted to do the right thing and witness to others on church-wide visitation quit because no one else went. Preachers have looked for another ministry because members or deacons shot down all the ideas they had. Sunday school teachers have gone by the wayside because of little concern and participation by their students.
Mothers may have lost the enthusiasm to cook meals after only hearing many complaints. Children gave up their dreams because of constant correction. If you are on the sidelines because “no one cares” or “appreciates you,” consider the discouragement you may have caused to others.
God knows it is essential that we uplift each other. We can all encourage each other, but He also gives some the spiritual ministry of exhorting (encouraging) others. Encouragement is necessary for believers also.
“Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:8
Sitting around discouraged will never help anyone! The only way out of a disenchanted mindset is to change something.
Instead of waiting to be “fixed,” be a fixer! Break the sad cycle of discouragement and be an encourager. We all could use your inspiring words. One day, when you need it the most, there will be one nearby to lift you up with their encouraging words or actions.
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.“ Galatians 6:9
Be encouraged! If you are a Christian, you are on the winning side!
Well, Brothers and Sisters, A year has passed. I have been blessed by this ministry, and I suspect many of you have.
I have never laid eyes on Bro Brinkworth and am not likely to this side of heaven, but I have had some conversations with him outside this blog and I can tell you he is a man of God, but he is also a man. He has trials like all of us. I can also tell you the enormous effort he has expended personally to make sure these various sites (ministries ) are readily available. There are a thousand reasons why this site should not be here and why Bro Brinkworth cannot do it, but there are better reasons why it should go on. If you have never availed yourself of them, I urge you to spend an afternoon clicking sometime and feast on the lifetime of material he has here.
As I posted last year, this is bound to be a lonely ministry. There is no congregation to shake hands with at the end of the service. No weddings to perform. No communion to serve. However, this church is very large. I do not have the numbers at my fingers, but my recollection is that this and the other site garner about 2.5 million clicks in 160 countries per month. If even 10% of those eyes linger, that is a SUPER mega church.
I can also tell you that this ministry feeds me 5 days a week with good, substantial spiritual food. The material presented here is not from a hack, but from a man that carefully prepares and prays over each piece.
I would ask all of us to do three things…and Bro Brinkworth can tell me I am out of order if I am..
1. Try to write something to encourage the ministry in the comments.
2. Pray for Bro Brinkworth, his family, and this ministry.
3. Consider sending financial support. Computer equipment, Broadband access, and the Brother’s time are not cheap. As far as I know, he is totally on his own with only the support of God. I know the equipment and wherewithal to produce this is formidable. If you will click this link http://www.devotionsfromthebible.com/will-you-support-this-ministry/ (also available at the top right of this webpage), you will find more than enough information to be able to do something.
I know that whatever you can do would be an encouragement and will help reach the whole world. this ministry is as amazing to me as movable type must have been to the folks in Europe who printed the first affordable Bibles. The bang for the buck here is incredible. Bro Brinkworth is not in business. I am confident that he does not have a private jet. He is not one of those.
I appreciate him and this work.
Wow. That is so nice of you to say that. I would never say that myself, but I certainly appreciate your doing that. By the way, to others that are reading this, that was totally unsolicited.
Prayers are very important. I have been doing writing in many forms (home school Christian curriculum included) for over 30 years, and I have learned one thing for sure, the devil will fight any work for the Lord tooth and nail. Just as an example, in the last three days I have spent over 25 hours just getting the system to run. It “mysteriously” stopped working properly (I believe it was in the software). I wrestled with it. My wife prayed and called at least three people to pray, and after 25+ hours it started working again, without any earthly explaination why it failed in the first place. Those kind of battles happen all the time. No explaination (I have been into computers since the mid 70’s and am no novice), but things go haywire.
I don’t blame satanic intervention for everything but I do know that the prince of the power of the air has a heyday with ministries every once in awhile. So your protecting prayers would save me a lot of grief. :>) Thanks in advance.
As for finances, the Lord had me ask last year for the first time in 30+ years. I figure it’s the Lord’s ministry and He knows the needs. I like it a whole lot better when He speaks to someone’s heart to give, than my asking for it. I try to pattern the financial part of my ministry after George Mueller’s. Mr. Mueller had a orphanage ministry in the late 1800’s in England. He never asked one person for money. He just asked God, and the Lord provided for the large ministry’s every need. God did it then, and he can do it again. I want to have a life like that that I can see God’s provision and know that it could only come from Him. To this day, I can say I have as I see Him working and doing the impossible all the time.
David, I also do no know you personally, but I believe I can guess one of your spiritual gifts as mentioned in Romans 12. It must be the gift of “exhortation”, as you have constantly encouraged me for quite awhile. Thank you so much for the prayers, help, and encouragement.
Speaking of the devil fighting a move of God…We are in camp meeting this week in a steel pavilion type buildings with sheet metal on the roof and metal and purlins down the side to about 12′ above grade.
Tonight, during vespers, the preacher is preaching out of the Scripture in acts where Eutychus falls out the window. He was preaching on becoming distracted.
About the time he was becoming annointed, a 5′ long snake spent the the next 20 minutes crawling along the purlin behind the preacher, but in plain sight of the 500 people there. Talking about distracted. My wife and many of the sisters beat a hasty retreat to the back of the house.
So the preacher was just wearing it out and those of us standing and supporting him were shouting back at him, etc…to encourage him. Finally, after about 20 minutes without missing a beat he said “I know there is a snake up there, and I could care less” and went right back to preaching.
After vespers the serpent got removed…lest we take him up… I guess we had just as well, people think we do anyway.
Thought you would enjoy that!
We do appreciate you!
Wow! You know who was behind the snake! Eph. 6 is true! There is a battle going on all the time!
Brother David,
I thought of one more way folks could be a big help. Every article/lesson/devotion has an icon for a social media entry. IF one would just click on a icon that they have a account on (like Facebook or Twitter at the top of each article) the article will go to everyone on their “friend” list. This world is lacking knowledge of what the Bible teaches. By sharing these articles with your acquaintances you will help reach others with the truths from the Word of God. Please share these articles with as many as you can. It is one more thing you can do for the Lord. Thank you so much I advance.
Bro Bill
Just want to let you know that I am blessed and encouraged of all the time you spent and efforts you made to make Daily Devotions possible.
Thank you so much. Please encourage others to sign-up. The only thing that will change this world, is if more read and obey God’s Word. We can have a part in that goal.
John 17:15 “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.”
I am new to this email list, but I have been so blessed by these devotions. In just the few weeks I have reading them, my heart has been touched so many times, and I have felt led to forward them to others in my life. Thanks for standing with the KJV!
Glad they are a blessing to you. I appreciate your encouraging others to read. There are a lot more articles, lessons, Bible-related puzzles, the Bible View bulletin insert, and a New Testament devotion at my other site: http://www.OpenThouMineEyes.com. They might be helpful to you also.
Bro Brinkworth,
I wanted to let you know I do your daily devotion every day and it is a blessing every time. Our lives are so busy these days that we often neglect our daily quiet time. I truly enjoy the devotions you have put together and also that it is KJV. I can read the scripture, your devotion, and also pray in about 20 minutes each day. I just wanted to stop by and encourage you to keep on keeping on. Your website is one of just a few that actually has good material and I thank you. God Bless
Thank you very much, and I am glad the material is a blessing to you.
The only thing I know that will direct, encourage, and get one closer to the Lord is the Word of God. I would appreciate you encouraging others to subscribe. Time is short. Wickedness is abounding, and there may be a time that we do not have the liberty to proclaim the truths from God’s Word. We must do it now while there is time and opportunity.
Bill has been my encouragement for the past 5 years and has taught me a lot and encouraged me to study deeper in the Bible so thank you Bill .
One thing which is a blessing is one can ask Bill questions and he will stir us to a Bible verse or explain what something means and all these lessons are based on the KJV Bible not the NLT and other bibles .
Thank you so much. Yes, you are very faithful. I don not think one lesson, article, or Bible View has been published that Star has not read and commented on. I appreciate your faithfulness.
Thank you I try and if I miss one I will feel guilty until I read it smiles .
Bro Brinkworth,
I have never set eyes on you, likely never will on this side of Heaven. I found you while searching for material and ideas for Sunday School a couple of years ago. I found the Bible view, while I did not end up using it in Sunday School, I did two things with it. I printed it and gave it to my kids, still do every week. I dont just hand out stuff to my kids, so I read it myself and have enjoyed it and been encouraged by it.
I have also followed your devotions from Revelation and now this site.
I imagine ministering this way is lonely and could be discouraging because you never see the faces you are ministering to, you never see folks kneeling at the altar, but I want you to know that you have encouraged me and helped me.
Thank you for the time you put in preparing these messages and maintaining these web sites.
Thank you. You are right I hear very little about my writing and its impact. When I do, I print them out, and post them on a bulletin board. When I feel that my work is not reaching anyone, I go to my bulletin board. God is good. Glad it is a blessing to you.