Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For there is not a second one to help him up!
If two lie down together, both stay warm,
But how can one stay warm alone?
If one is added strength, two will stand before him,
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Personal Challenge

We live in an age and a society where the loner is praised and individuality is the sought after treasure. However, the early church fathers taught that our salvation can only be fully worked out in our church community. This passage presents this teaching as well. It is so important to have others in our lives that we can count on and learn from, as well as be available to our brothers and sisters to encourage and support them in their lives. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, tale Mercy on me, the sinner?

John 15:15-17

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.

Encouraging Words

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 11

To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to give birth
And a time to die;
A time to plant
And a time to pluck what is planted.
A time to kill
And a time to heal;
A time to pull down
And a time to build up.
A time to weep
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn
And a time to dance.
A time to throw stones
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace
And a time to refrain from embracing.
A time to seek
And a time to lose;
A time to keep
And a time to throw away.
A time to tear
And a time to sew;
A time to keep silent
And a time to speak.
A time to love
And a time to hate;
A time of war
And a time of peace.

He made everything beautiful in its time, and He indeed put eternity in their hearts in such a way that man may not find out the work God made from the beginning to the end.

Encouraging Words

Life has a very special way of just plugging along. We often get hung up on the difficult times, the uncomfortable times, those times that we do not want in our lives. But these times do pass and are replaced by the times that we do want and cherish. This is the rollercoaster called life. Enjoy the whole ride. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

John 15:12-14

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

Personal Challenge

As the rich, young man asked of Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”, I sometimes find myself looking at the person that God has placed before me and wonder how I am supposed to love this person. That is precisely the point that Jesus makes over and over again. He wants me to love every person that He puts on my path through life just as He does…unconditionally. I must admit that at times this is extremely difficult. Jesus never said it would be easy. Even He had to show love to those who beat Him, scourged Him, spit on Him, and hung Him on the cross. This kind of love is what He is asking of me. I know that cannot do this on my own, but only through Him. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner and teach me to do the same to others.

Proverbs 29:23

Arrogance humbles a man,
But the Lord supports the humble-minded with glory.

Personal Challenge

Another way that I have heard this said is, “Pride goes before a fall.” It is so easy to get puffed up over our accomplishments or what we have acquired over the years of our life. But when we let these blessings turn into pride or arrogance, then we are setting the stage for a fall that will humble us. It is best to learn how to be humble in mind and heart and to recognize that all that we have in our life is a gift from God. If we learn to truly be humble all the time then God will lift us up as He sees fit. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy,! Lord, have mercy!

John 15:9-11

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

Personal Challenge

It is such a blessing, and a relief to know that no matter what we do, good or bad, God still loves us. Our life is so much more full and blessed when we keep His commandments, however, He also promises to forgive us of our sins when we return to Him after straying away. There is no judgment. There is no condemnation. There is no anger. But there is plenty of love and forgiveness. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Proverbs 27:17

Iron sharpens iron,
And a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Encouraging Words

Our early church fathers taught that our salvation is worked out in our Christian communities We need one another in order to grow in our sanctification. This proverb reminds us that in our community we sharpen each other so that we can be better instruments for God’s use. Sometimes this sharpening is painful. Sometimes it is delightful. As we yield more to those in our lives that are there to sharpen us, the closer we come to being like Christ. Glory be to God!

John 15:5

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Personal Challenge

I am nothing without Christ. I can do nothing of eternal value without Christ. He is the lifeblood of His children just as the vine is the lifeblood of the branches and the source of life for the fruit that they bear. However, with Him, I can do great works and produce great fruit. Glory be to God!