We are not able to effectively consider all the discouragements that plague the one who is endeavoring to be spiritual because of space restrictions. But we can look at one aspect of Christianity that often is very discouraging to people. That is the area of teaching others.

Discouragement is universal. No one is exempt from the dark cloud it casts over our lives. Great men of God—David, Job, Jeremiah, and even Jesus—became discouraged.

Discouragement can take many forms and be caused by many things.

Peace is something most everyone desires to have and maintain in their daily lives. However, it is a state that seems to be elusive to so many. The evidence of such is revealed in broken homes, hostile work environments, problem schools, high crime areas, political conflict, discord among brethren, and the like.

There is not a single thing we can say or do here today that would have any effect upon the destiny of this one who has passed away. We simply leave all such matters in the hand of a God who knoweth and doeth all things well.

Have you ever wondered about what certain people in the Bible prayed? I wonder what Saul was praying for those three days in Damascus. What was it that Jesus prayed right after He was baptized by John? What were the disciples in the upper room praying before the day of Pentecost? 

The New Testament places great emphasis upon the cross of Christ. Whenever Paul went into a city the first thing he did was to preach Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 2:1-5). He told the saints at Corinth that "the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Cor. 1:18).

Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits. (James 1:9-11, NKJV). 

Jesus did not come in the splendor and glory of the Word of God. Neither did He descend in the radiant light of an archangel. The Son of God did not come riding a charger at the head of an immense army as would King David. His birth was not attendant with the flourishes of trumpets and the chiming of bells. His entry to His capitol was upon the foal of an ass. His appearance was ordinary and unbecoming. His hands were rough as a mason's and his feet were dusty and callused from walking everywhere He went. The measure of His life is summed up in these words, "The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).

"A ministry that costs nothing accomplishes nothing." When you consider the testimony of Scripture, that statement rings true. The greatest ministry that ever occurred involved the greatest cost. Who can read the words, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me," and not get a sense of the great price our Savior paid?

Jesus did not choose to retain His station, nor did He regard the necessary humiliation robbery. Jesus "for your sakes became poor, that ye through His poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).

You may never know the effect of what a little encouragement can do for someone. A smile, a note, or just a word can provide all the encouragement a person needs to have or maintain hope. Do you remember a time in your life when something seemingly little propelled you to great heights?

"Let this mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men" (Phil. 2:5-7).

Have you ever pondered the thought of the devil having children? He is not a father in the sense that men are physically fathers, for the devil is a spirit, an evil one at that. Nevertheless, the devil has had children, and he continues to have children. Who are these people? How did they become the devil's children? Why should we be concerned about them?

Many people are growing disenchanted with present religious forms which originated in the middle-ages and have become meaningless. There is displeasure with denominational structures and dogma. Some, because of such views, have even decided that "Christianity" is not relevant today.

Agur writes, A lion, which is mighty among beasts and does not turn away from any (Proverbs 30:30, NKJV). Earlier in Proverbs, Solomon compares God's people to lions: The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1). 

To give pearls to swine is to press the claims of the gospel upon those who despise it until they persecute you for annoying them with it. When such men are known they are to be avoided. Jesus acted on this principle in refusing to answer the Pharisees, and the apostles did the same thing in turning to the Gentiles when their Jewish hearers would begin to contradict and blaspheme." (J. W. McGarvey, The Fourfold Gospel, pp. 263, 264).

So, if you have not been looking at your neighbor card every day and praying for those souls on it, resolve to do that. Remember what the apostle said: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). With God, all things are possible.

"It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God" (Luke 4:4). This statement was made by Jesus while He was in the wilderness being tempted by Satan. Following His baptism by John "to fulfill all righteousness," Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where He was tempted by the devil for 40 days. During that period, He had nothing to eat. The text says, "He afterward hungered" (Luke 4:2). What an understatement!

 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned (Mark 16:15-16). 

 The evidence of one's faith in God is obedience to His will. James 2:17 states, "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead" (cf. Jas. 2:20, 24). Faith enables one to obey in the absence of understanding the why and how of the thing commanded. Faith is a trust that assures one that he will receive a promise, though the means of fulfillment is not obvious because he has confidence in the one who revealed it. The evidence of faith is seen in the actions of the faithful as seen in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews.