My reason for writing Kingdom's Keys Fellowship articles (from 3/17/2017)

[HKHaugan]

For Times Such as These

Encouragement! That's right, encouragement. In my later years I've discovered that brothers and sisters in the faith need to be encouraged. Most of our time is spent in a world outside the Body of Christ. It's a world full of spiritual hostility. You know what I mean, the culturally conditioned 'me first' atmosphere that spends more time frightened by what can't be controlled, frustrated because no one pays any attention to what we know, feel and consider important.

But we believe that Jesus is the Lord over it all. Besides our own experience of Him, that's another reason why we believe in Him. It takes courage to face the enormous electronic invasion that brings the uncontrollable into our living room day after day. We can see the fallen world's effects in the drivers that race past us, the sad faces of people struggling to make a living, the bumper stickers that plead for attention, the angry demonstrators on TV, the consciousness of issues that demand solutions none of us are able to solve.

Encourage means to ignite the courage that lies within a spiritual brother or sister. It may be lying there dormant, semi-aware or on the ready. Regardless, we need a spark to jump from one to the other and turn the switch to light up our witness. It may be a spark for the mind or the heart or the spirit. Which ever it is, I believe that is one reason I continue offering what the Lord has given me. We live locally among many who have no belief, trust or faith. The times we feel inadequate to answer a question, stand up honestly as we face hostility, you know those times. When we are on the spot we want to spot on. No fear, hesitancy, reluctant to say something.

Encourage is really instilling courage, invoking courage, sparking courage, inciting courage. Forget the 'en' and concentrate on the courage part. Someone who 'en'courages' has been through the ringer of relational turmoil and feels the need for someone's support to be courageous. Encouragement is a spiritual gift. We see it in the Lord who sent His disciples out with a 'You-can-do-this' attitude. You see it in Mark's backing Paul. When Jesus says 'take heart,' He is saying trust me and take my courage with you wherever and with whomever you are. Put your heart in Him then put your heart out there. You can't run out of the Holy Spirit who is the source of courage.

So I write to encourage your thinking, your heart and your spirit. It may not be perfect at it but the Lord will correct what is necessary and He'll let me know. I pray for Him to touch your heart as you face every next moment. God bless. ><>W