May 20, 2019: SOAP #3455:  1Kings 6; 2Chronicles 3; Psalm 97; Romans 1

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 1:11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

Observation:  Paul had a yearning to meet his brothers and sisters in Christ who lived in Rome. He wanted to see them succeed.  He wanted to see them grow.  He wanted to see them strong.  He knew that he would have a part in their growth if he could just spend some time with them.

Not only would Paul be able to encourage the believers in Rome by his visit, they would be an encouragement to him.  Believers often discover that in ministering to someone in need, they too are recipients of God’s blessings.

Application:   Most Sundays Sharon and I travel somewhere in the state of Kansas to encourage the ministry of, and to, senior adults.  This Sunday I was asked to fill in at a church without a pastor.  As always, we arrived early enough to be a part of a Sunday School/Bible Class.  As every Sunday, we were blessed.  We have never been disappointed.  We find what Paul was expecting to find when he would visit Rome—mutual encouragement!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, how special it is that you created your body to “mutually encourage” one another.  You created us so that everyone would need ministry, and everyone could give ministry.  You planned that we would minister to each other.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!