"I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong-- that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith." (Romans 1:11, 12--NIV))
Note the humility of Paul here. He was saying, in effect, that, "make you strong," and encouragement is a two-way street. He revealed his heart, that just as he desired to strengthen and encourage the the Roman Church, he knew and desired that those Followers of Jesus in Rome would make him strong and encourage him. Also, just notice the next time you read in the Gospels how our Lord Jesus revealed this same attitude with His disciples.
I would be leery of any leader who gives the impression that blessings, strength impartation, etc., is a one way street, always in an instruction mode, never in a receiving mode. I shared quite a while ago the words of a saint who was in her 80s at the time. "I listen to everything every child of God says." Don't close your mind to any saint. Don't just take your encouragement from "The Elijah List" and "Generals." That person who rarely speaks, who has no "position" in your local church, never wrote a book, never gets asked to speak anywhere just may have a key which could open manifold strength and encouragement to you.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray this attitude be preeminent in Your Church. Amen.
