This is based on “Hand Me Another Brick” by Charles Swindoll. I have tried to apply it to us. Please read it and pray about how you can help our church to “get on with it….
Discouragement, an Internal Disease
Causes and Cures
Causes
1. Loss of Strength
We are tired, we are burden bearers. We have lost the possibility of our building program.
A loss of strength takes an emotional toll on our bodies.
Newness of our plans have vanished.
2. Loss of Vision
Our vision is clouded with rubbish. It surrounds us.
We have demanding jobs. Threatening events in our lives. Difficult people.
Task to keep the church going seems endless.
Our mind is on our own problems.
3. Loss of confidence
We had an obvious loss of people. We are weary. Dis-illusion sets in.
We have lost heart. Lack of motivation.
The word “can’t” has crept into our conversations.
4. Loss of security
Where is our future as a church family?
What do we hang on to? Do we escape, run away….
What are we going to do? We cry out…..
NEHEMIAH ROLLED UP HIS SLEEVES AND DELT WITH IT……can we?
CURES
1. Unify our efforts toward a goal.
One goal – preservation of church family.
Unity, pull together as families and tighten up the ranks….
Take a good look at where we are….
2. Direct your attention to the Lord!
Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Take your mind and put it where it should be, not on the rubbish of life but on God…who He is….
Let Him take charge of your thoughts. Recall who He is. Recall His promises. Recall His greatness.
Communion is God’s “Show and Tell” time, revealing anew the wonders of Him.
Re-focus on the Lord!
Isaiah 26: 3-4 “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is the rock eternal.”
3. Maintain a balance in your thoughts and actions.
There’s a job to be done….fight for it.
Our team needs to stand up and do our part. Our leaders need to stay at the task.
HAVE FAITH that we can accomplish God’s plans for us.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
4. Determine a Rallying point.
A place to sound the trumpet….remember not to fight alone….gather together….learn from each other…
Don’t let discouragement weaken your Armour. Put on the whole suit…
Let the trumpet blow…there is strength in numbers. Get to work on your part.
5. Develop a serving others ministry. Serve and assist each other…. Be involved.
Ephesians 2: 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance to do.
And verse 13 But now in Jesus Christ you, who once were far away, have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
Lets get out of our “safe” box and do something. Let us turn our “love: outward!
