OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. THURSDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2014.

THEME : ARE YOU AN ENCOURAGER?
MEMORISE : Greatly desiring to see thee, being
mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with
joy;
2 TIMOTHY 1 : 4.
READ : ACTS 4 : 36 - 37.
36 And Joses, who by the apostles was
surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being
interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite,
and of the country of Cyprus,

37 Having land, sold it, and brought the
money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : JOHN 17 : 1 - 19 : 16 &
JOB 33 : 8 - 18.
Two peculiar perils that confront Christian
Leadership are discouragement and undue
elation. A spiritual leader is in peril of being
unduly depressed by inevitable times of
discouragement and being unduly elated by
inevitable days of uplifting experiences and
achievements. Both of these seasons are
experienced in every work for God. It is
important for a spiritual leader to be watchful
in seasons when everything goes well, when
goals are reached, when planned endeavours
are crowned with success, when the Spirit
moves, souls are saved and saints are
blessed. At such times, a mature leader
should know on whose brow to place the
crown of achievements. He should be careful
not to arrogate to himself the glory that
belongs to God alone. There are also moments
of discouragement. These are seasons when
everything seems not to be going well, when
goals are frustrated, when planned endeavours
flop, when the Spirit refuses to move and
worship services seem insipid and lifeless. At
such times, a leader needs encouragement. He
should however be careful not to misbehave.
Someone summed up what should be the
attitude of a wise leader at moments of elation
and discouragement in these cryptic words: “If
successful, do not crow; if defeated do not
croak”. Everyone needs encouragement.
Everyone needs assistance. Everyone needs
comfort. Everyone needs the prayers of others.
Apostle Paul knew this truth when he
requested in Ephesians 6 : 18 - 19 that
brethren should pray for him. Are you a source
of encouragement or an instrument of
discouragement to your leader? There are
several ways Christians can encourage their
leaders. One is by obedience. Obey your
leader. Make his work easy, enjoyable and
interesting for him. Demonstrate that you love
him. Be his friend.
“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I
command you.”
John 15 : 14
Another way to encourage your leader is
through voluntary service. Render assistance
to your leader. Do whatever you can to boost
his ministry and ensure that it flourishes. Use
your talents, gifts and material resources for
the furtherance of the work entrusted into the
hands of your leader. Be sacrificial in your
service. The dispensing of encouragement
should however be reciprocal. Just as
subordinates are expected to encourage their
leaders, leaders should also encourage their
subordinates. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ in Luke 8 : 2 - 3 was encouraged by
Mary Magdalene and some other women who
ministered to him out of their resources.
However, before these women could minister
to him, Jesus had encouraged them by his
own ministration of salvation, healing and
deliverance. Additionally, a spiritual leader is a
father, and fathers are enjoined in the
scriptures not to provoke or frustrate their
children (Ephesians 6 : 4). Do not deny them
their rights and privileges.
PRAYER POINT :
Father, help me to be an encourager.
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE.