Fellowship
It’s hard seeing friends and family suffer. You wish you had a million dollars, a new car, an extra home, the perfect job, and a way for a fresh start. Sometimes you think what you have isn’t enough.
Give what you can…do what you can…even if it’s your time, a text, or a phone call. We all need people around us who empathize and genuinely care for us.
It takes a village to raise a person and not everyone will have money, jobs, and resources. Your presence is priceless. Your encouragement and support is welcomed. Your compassion is needed.
They will remember you were there for them in their darkest moments. Your investment, no matter what it might be, will be appreciated.
And remember: God has unlimited resources and we can all pray.
We all would like to have a friend who walks with us during the best and worse of times; a friend who is not afraid to see our scars or hear our heart; a friend who will not hesitate to tell us we are wrong or encourage us to do what is right; a friend who loves us as we are but will not stand by to watch us fall…be such a friend to another. (Ref. Proverbs 18:24)
Job 16:17-22 – Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure. O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place. Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God. O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour! When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.
As Job assures himself that he hasn’t committed any injustices, he looks for someone who would plead with God on his behalf rather than receive the scorn from his friends.
1. We often speak before pray…or think. Many times when our friends are struggling, in sin, or needing answers or help, we rush to share our opinion. When we rush to help, we can cause greater damage, even when we have the best intentions (Proverbs 19:2, 25:20). Therefore, it’s important that we first hear from the Lord on whether we should say or do anything. Who else better to speak with than God?!
Job 4:7-9 – Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.
Eliphaz believed Job had committed some type of sin for so much to happen to him (Job 1:1-2:13). He couldn’t imagine that Job could be righteous in spite of all that have occurred.
Oftentimes the same occurs today when people associate good news or situations with God’s favor and the opposite as a punishment for sin. (God rains blessings on the just and unjust alike, Matthew 5:44-45). Without foreknowledge from the Lord, we have no idea why someone is experiencing a season of sorrow. Every story sounds true until we hear the other side (Proverbs 18:17).
Be careful not to judge the circumstances of others (Matthew 7:1-2). We may have no idea what the Lord is doing in the life of another (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Photo courtesy of iStockphoto.com/DlikeDagmara
1 Corinthians 12:13-14 – For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.
1. One God…many denominations. Across the landscape of Christendom, there are hundreds, if not thousands of separate denominations and churches. Some are separated due to personal convictions or callings to specific locations and people groups, but many are due to varying doctrinal beliefs and earthly traditions. Sadly, these differences have created great schisms in the body of Christ.
SITE NOTICES
Search the site
Shopping cart
Total
Shipping and discount codes are added at checkout.
Checkout