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"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembly of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

I was hanging out with a student (Noah Morris) this past week and we talked about all kinds of things. My goal was just to show Noah that he is loved not only by his parents, but his church, and me his youth leader (one of his youth leaders). Not to mention I had some work for him to do at the church. But in talking with him and hanging out with him at the church and at the spectrum, the topic of baptism came up. I proceeded to explain it a little, even though I knew he had already known a great deal about it. Finally I just asked him, "well why haven't you been baptized yet...I mean you are a believer so what's the hold up?" Noah answered, "I don't know....I just haven't been asked or given the opportunity really?"

As you know (if you were here this past sunday), Noah was baptized this past weekend and boy was everyone excited about it! And all it took was a little exhortation (encouragement) from his parents and church family. After I had talked to him a little about him taking that step soon, as we were walking around at the spectrum, we saw pastor Mike and some other loved ones, all of whom were from our church family. And I know you wont believe this, but after Pastor Mike found out Noah wasn't baptized, he did ALOT of exhorting! hahaha

Before Noah was baptized he was able to have a follow up talk with me, and few talks at home about the decision with his parents, and another follow up call from the one and only; Pastor Mike! Two days later Noah was baptized and him and his family couldn't be more excited!

That's what the church is called to do; exhort, which means, encourage one another in love and good works. We should be encouraging each other to love God and live out Gods will for our lives. I could have tried to encourage Noah all by myself to take that step in his faith, but God wanted His CHURCH to love and encourage Noah to take that step. Because that is one of the purposes of the church, to encourage people in their faith and love for Christ!

So as parents, husbands, wives, friends, etc. How are you encouraging and loving people in and out of the church? How are you actively involved in the church so that you can have a part in God's will to love and empower people? Are you loving & encouraging your kids, your friends, your loved ones and OIKOS even when it's not convenient or out of your comfort zone? Are you challenging your kids, friends, loved ones, and OIKOS to take not just the easy steps of faith, but the hard steps too? I pray that you are, so that you can reap many blessings from above!

Something to think about!

Be Encouraged

B

Encourage!

ASM devotional

April Verse of the Month

“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Matthew 28:6

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