Encourage One Another

1Th 5:11 And so encourage one another and help one another, just as you are now doing.
1Th 5:12 We beg you, our friends, to pay proper respect to those who work among you, who guide and instruct you in the Christian life.
1Th 5:13 Treat them with the greatest respect and love because of the work they do. Be at peace among yourselves.
1Th 5:14 We urge you, our friends, to warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
1Th 5:15 See that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but at all times make it your aim to do good to one another and to all people.
1Th 5:16 Be joyful always,
1Th 5:17 pray at all times,
1Th 5:18 be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus.

Let me introduce the young men and women in the photo to you. Andrew, Kristy, and Costel on the front row. On the second row we have the beautiful young women, Anna, Louiza, Maria, Lili and Ligia. This is my Bible Study group from Biserica Crestina Baptista Emanuel in Bucuresti, Romania. It is very difficult for me to put into words how special this group of young adults have become to me during our study time together.
To say they are outstanding would be an understatement.

My intent of leading these students through a session of Bible studies was to 'enlighten, equip and encourage' them in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Early into our study, I realized the Lord was blessing me richly through my time spent with this special group of young adults who have chosen to put Christ first in their lives. The truth of the matter is, I believe I have been blessed as much if not more than my group. It has been my pleasure to hear them express their faith, hear their testimonies and share with me how the Lord is working in their lives. Living in Romania as a teenager or a young adult is very difficult. Jesus Christ is the only hope one has for a future of any kind. It is easy to pick out those on the street who have not made the choice to follow Christ. They are the ones with a paper bag up to their face sniffing glue or paint, or the ones on the street corner trying to sell them selves to exist. Praise God, the faces you see in this picture have hope, a hope that no one can take away from them.

I have been unable to continue our studies until I get a medical problem resolved. This is difficult for me as well as my group. Last evening they came to visit me and brought me beautiful flowers as well. I should say the came to ENCOURAGE and PRAY for me. Kristi brought his guitar and they all sang for me. What a wonderful time of fellowship together. They made it very clear how much they miss me and the studies. I was very touched, and blessed. What an example these young adults are setting, directly from God's word. Their actions are living proof they are children of the Most High God. I was greatly encouraged by their visit, and I am thankful to God for placing them in my life.