SUPPORT A STUMBLER

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

^1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Far too often in our culture we relish in the failures of others. When political officials and athletes blunder they can’t get off the news because we can’t stop watching. We giggle and guffaw at shows like WIPE OUT where our fellow man gets pummeled and pounded by big foamy things and dunked into vats of goo and water. It gets big ratings because we can’t stop watching others take a beating.

And while WIPEOUT is all "good" fun, it really is unhealthy to take pleasure in another’s pain. As Christians we shouldn’t support the downfall of our fellow man. Rather we are called to be supportive of one another not to savor when others sink.

Romans 14:13

So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

In one of my lines of work, pastoral care to the recovering, I have seen (and let’s be honest experienced) my share of “stumbles”. Some are self inflicted while others are the by-products of bad relationships and affiliations.

Yet instead of us ignoring or fueling the failures, GOD asks each of us to be supportive and encouraging to the "stumbler".

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up...

GOD knows how tough life is and the last thing we are to be is the banana peel on the sidewalk or the monkey in the wrench for our fellow man and woman. Instead GOD says:

Hebrews 10:24

Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out…

I have heard stories of so called friends and family who instead of coming along side and supporting the recovering actually encouraging them to “give in”, “pick back up” and “go back out”.

Why in the world would that be okay? It isn't.

GOD reminds us that we are “up against it” daily and that we should be about the business of helping to keep not only ourselves but our brothers and sisters on track!

Ephesians 6

Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get…Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

So today if you see or hear of a brother and sister, who are hurting, don’t just leave them hanging or titter in their trial. Reach out and encourage them and join GOD in putting them back on their feet!

Psalm 103:6

God makes everything come out right; he puts victims back on their feet...

You may help to save a recovery!

I love you all!

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney