Encouraging Hearts
Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.
Monday I journaled that Paul’s ministry was to encourage the hearts of people and to promote unity in the Body of Christ. In today’s reading Paul describes Tychicus whom he is sending to encourage the hearts of the Colossians. Through his presence and by sharing news of Paul’s circumstances, Tychicus would encourage their hearts. Hearts need to be filled with courage to continue living for Jesus in this discouraging world. Encouragement comes through one another.Paul describes Tychicus as
1. A dear brother
2. A faithful minister
3. A fellow servant of the LordThese credentials make him a fantastic choice to encourage the hearts of the saints. By describing him as a dear brother, Paul indicates the relational connectedness they have. There is love and partnership between them! Tychicus is also a faithful minister. He has a competence in ministry – he is faithful in the tasks of building the Kingdom of Heaven. Tychicus also has the identity as a servant of Christ. Just as Paul understood and described himself as a bond-slave to Christ (Philippians 1:1), so Tychicus had this same position in this world. He served Jesus! Christ was His Lord, which made him a great choice to encourage the hearts of the saints.I would aspire to be like Tychicus. I would be blessed and encouraged myself if people described me as Paul described him. As I become more like Jesus, may this be true of me and may I be deployed to encourage the hearts of the saints.Lord I am Your servant today. Send me where You will to encourage the hearts of people. Please give me wisdom, clarity and strength these days as we try to establish some things that will help people take their next steps with You. Thank You for this life that can be lived in Your service… a life that never grows old as we dive deep into the richness of who You are. You are awesome and I serve You today.
Colossians 4:7-8
Monday I journaled that Paul’s ministry was to encourage the hearts of people and to promote unity in the Body of Christ. In today’s reading Paul describes Tychicus whom he is sending to encourage the hearts of the Colossians. Through his presence and by sharing news of Paul’s circumstances, Tychicus would encourage their hearts. Hearts need to be filled with courage to continue living for Jesus in this discouraging world. Encouragement comes through one another.Paul describes Tychicus as
1. A dear brother
2. A faithful minister
3. A fellow servant of the LordThese credentials make him a fantastic choice to encourage the hearts of the saints. By describing him as a dear brother, Paul indicates the relational connectedness they have. There is love and partnership between them! Tychicus is also a faithful minister. He has a competence in ministry – he is faithful in the tasks of building the Kingdom of Heaven. Tychicus also has the identity as a servant of Christ. Just as Paul understood and described himself as a bond-slave to Christ (Philippians 1:1), so Tychicus had this same position in this world. He served Jesus! Christ was His Lord, which made him a great choice to encourage the hearts of the saints.I would aspire to be like Tychicus. I would be blessed and encouraged myself if people described me as Paul described him. As I become more like Jesus, may this be true of me and may I be deployed to encourage the hearts of the saints.Lord I am Your servant today. Send me where You will to encourage the hearts of people. Please give me wisdom, clarity and strength these days as we try to establish some things that will help people take their next steps with You. Thank You for this life that can be lived in Your service… a life that never grows old as we dive deep into the richness of who You are. You are awesome and I serve You today.
