Faith Journey-Day 17

Day 17- The Power of Encouragement

On Day 16, we took a look at King David’s call or anointing as King of Israel. However, David did not actually take the throne until some 15 years AFTER his anointing. Why so long, you may ask?! Because the Master Dot-Connector was orchestrating His perfect timing. He was also doing some “faith construction” in David’s life in preparation for his rule.

All of us have experienced seasons of preparation in our lives. Times where The Lord was doing a work IN us…so that we could walk into our calling…our ministry. Our active participation is necessary in this process. Often, God will use others along our Faith Journey to speak truth and confirm His call on our lives.

At this point in the Smith family Faith Journey, we had said “good-bye” to everything familiar and moved to North Carolina for Ron to attend Southeastern Seminary. We lived in seminary housing and were surrounded by some amazing people who were called to full-time ministry as well. Some were headed on the mission field. Others were training to become pastors and church leaders. They seemed so sure of their call. Each of them shared testimony of how God had confirmed and defined their call along the way. With out exception, The Lord used other people to speak His truth into their lives.

Once we were settled in, we began to search for a new church home. Our search for a new church home had two requirements. First, we wanted a Deaf Ministry for Ryan. Second, we wanted to be involved in a church that was gospel and missions focused (locally and internationally). The Holy Spirit led us to a church plant that met in the local middle school gym. The amount of intentional effort it took to “do church” was pretty amazing.

Up to this point, I only knew enough Sign Language to communicate with Ryan. It was way out of my comfort zone to communicate with Deaf adults. For Ryan’s sake, I was willing to try. This Deaf Ministry was comprised of an amazing group of very patient and loving people that took our whole family under their wing.

Our Deaf Ministry had a sign choir. They invited me to join. It was comprised of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, interpreters, and a few hearing people that had some sign skills. For those that have never seen one,  A sign choir works in unison as a choir to sign music. So, instead of using our voices, we used our hands to interpret the meaning of the song in Sign Language. I was in way over my head, but I loved it and was learning a lot.

The lead interpreter and our church worship leader, Pastor Ken, showed up for practice the evening before our sign choir was set to sign in church. After a few corrections and run throughs, Pastor Ken approved for us to lead worship on Sunday.

After practice, Pastor Ken, told me he was impressed with my intuitive “sign touch” and emotion. He explained that those things could not be taught, they were something you had or didn’t. I was completely clueless about all that. I was simply learning Sign Language for our Ryan. I was just a signing mamma, enjoying time with my new friends in sign choir. Well, So I thought…

He went on to ask if I would be interested in joining the Deaf Ministry interpreting team to lead music during the worship services. I was quite taken back. Honestly, I thought Pastor Ken was going to politely kick me out of the sign choir because I was horrible.  So, still being in shock…I agreed to pray about it.

• Read 2 Timothy 1: 1-7

What did Paul acknowledge as Timothy’s strength or attribute?

 

In verse 6 and 7,  what does Paul remind Timothy?

 

Paul regularly called Timothy his son. He was Timothy’s spiritual father. Timothy’s discipleship started in his home with his mother and grandmother. Paul continued that discipleship and helped him to grow up into his call. In The Lord’s time and with Paul’s blessing, Timothy was put in charge of the church in Ephesus.

• Read 1 Timothy 4: 11-13

What was Paul’s encouragement to Timothy?

 

Paul had just laid out some heavy instructions to Timothy for the church in Ephesus in chapters 1-4. So, Paul needed to remind Timothy that he was capable and take away any excuse he might entertain including his youthfulness. Paul often reminded Timothy of his call, his giftedness through the Holy Spirit, and that fear is not from the Lord (2 Timothy 1:6-7)

God calls us to serve Him in ways that are beyond us. Not in our own ability. It’s the power of His working in and through us. So that, He receives all honor and glory. There is a saying based on Hebrew 13:20-21, ” God does not call the equipped, He equips the called.”

“Now may the God of peace…equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him through Jesus Christ…” Hebrews 13:20-21

Pray that The Lord will encourage you in your call.. your ministry. Maybe you need to be an encouragement to someone else in their call. The Master Dot-Connecter places people in our lives for a reason. As we have learned in our Faith Journey…NOTHING happens by chance. Be encouraged and be an encouragement to someone else.

Praying for each of you as you step into your calling. Step up…and step out for His glory!