Fuel for Encouragement

I was just listening to a Bill Johnson podcast (as I often do) and I need a place to process... no one to talk to so here we go. (disclaimer... 99.9% of this comes directly from the Word or Bill...)

Grace is given to us not simply as unmerited favor... but abundant grace comes for our encouragement... to build and strengthen us. Grace turns us into something before we can do anything... we must become before we can do. This comes in 3 ways:

1.) Personal intimacy with Jesus. Not just seeking him for favor that brings cool stuff. This will happen automatically, but we will be limited in the amount of miracles and cool stuff we see if this is the only reason we pursue him. We must learn how to be with him just because we like him. Better yet, because we love him.

2.) Grace also comes by honoring the gifts in others. We get fueled up when we recognize and give credit to how God is working in other people... and learn to receive from them. It's like the good stuff in them jumps on us. And it does! That's why I'm so encouraged and built up when I talk with my friends. I love hearing what God is speaking to them, how He is moving, and blessing what they do! It really does build me up!

3.) We receive grace when we freely build up others and give away what we have. This means specifically in our speech. God is attracted to our words of encouragement. With our mouths we can build up and encourage or cut down and destroy. When we build up others it's like He says "Yeah! I know that's how they are..." and then everyone is built up!

But we also need to note that when we are in need of some grace or encouragement, this may not come in the form we find easiest. How often do I have a bad day and the last thing I want to do is encourage my housemate? How often am I busy and feeling weighed down and the hardest thing to do is Stop and just be with my King? Or how often do I feel lonely and really need people, but it's easier to sit alone than seek encouragement from others?

Hmmm... Yeah Lord, teach me how to give and receive more grace. Show me how to freely administer what you freely give me. Thank you Jesus you don't limit us to one option, but you've designed us for relationship and community. Your great!