"For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine."
- Romans 1:11-12
Are you discouraged? Do you feel like the joy of the Lord in waning in your life? Are you drifting from a strong faith in God? If you are not where you ought to be spiritually, it could be that you need to develop healthy, close and faith building relationship with others who know Jesus. As a Pastor it's easy to become too isolated from others in that, for example, I spend lots of time in my office writing, studying and preparing messages. A Pastor also is usually pouring into others. But notice that Paul longed to be with other believers and not just to impart unto them spiritual strength, but to be "mutually encouraged" by others who knew Jesus.
As believers we need to both give and receive spiritual gifts. These spiritual gifts can be words of wisdom, encouragement, and thanksgiving. Sending an occasional text message or email can be a way to be encouraged and to encourage others. Paul did that. He wrote letters to others. But we also need face time with people that is not electronic in nature. Jesus preached to others from a distance. But he also had intimate relationships with those he discipled. He spent time with them, he walked with them, and he prayed with them. He was in their homes. He ate with them. He cried with them. They washed his feet with tears and anointed him with expensive oils. May we seek to "be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine."
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