We Need Each Other
"Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you." Romans 1:12 NCV
Next time you take a walk in the woods stop and think about what is taking place right under your feet. As the roots of the trees connect with each other they form a support system. One has access to water, another to nutrients, and another to sunlight. No single tree has it all, but together they can grow, thrive, and withstand the storms of life. "Then we will grow in every way to be more like Christ, the head of the body. Christ holds it together and makes all of its parts work perfectly, as it grows and become strong because of love" (Ephesians 4:15-16 CEV). Some of us independent types have difficulty with this concept. We want to fly solo until we crash, and then we realize our need for: (1) Encouragement. Even Paul need cheering on: "Everyone in Asia has turned against me, especially Phygelus and Hermogenes. I pray that the Lord will be kind to the family of Onesiphorus. He often cheered me up and wasn't ashamed of me when I was put in jail. Then after he arrived in Rome, he searched everywhere until he found me" (2 Timothy 1:15-17 CEV). (2) Sympathy. "Be sympathetic" (Colossians 3:12 GWT). We all need to be understood and have our feelings validated. But sometimes we are in such a hurry to "fix" people we don't have time to sympathize with them. (3) Grace. "Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others" (v. 13 NLT). What motivates us to extend grace to others? God's grace to us! Remember, you will never be asked to extend more grace to someone than God has already extended to you.
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word For You Today
Next time you take a walk in the woods stop and think about what is taking place right under your feet. As the roots of the trees connect with each other they form a support system. One has access to water, another to nutrients, and another to sunlight. No single tree has it all, but together they can grow, thrive, and withstand the storms of life. "Then we will grow in every way to be more like Christ, the head of the body. Christ holds it together and makes all of its parts work perfectly, as it grows and become strong because of love" (Ephesians 4:15-16 CEV). Some of us independent types have difficulty with this concept. We want to fly solo until we crash, and then we realize our need for: (1) Encouragement. Even Paul need cheering on: "Everyone in Asia has turned against me, especially Phygelus and Hermogenes. I pray that the Lord will be kind to the family of Onesiphorus. He often cheered me up and wasn't ashamed of me when I was put in jail. Then after he arrived in Rome, he searched everywhere until he found me" (2 Timothy 1:15-17 CEV). (2) Sympathy. "Be sympathetic" (Colossians 3:12 GWT). We all need to be understood and have our feelings validated. But sometimes we are in such a hurry to "fix" people we don't have time to sympathize with them. (3) Grace. "Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others" (v. 13 NLT). What motivates us to extend grace to others? God's grace to us! Remember, you will never be asked to extend more grace to someone than God has already extended to you.
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word For You Today
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2021
January
A Word For The New Year (1)A Word For The New Year (2)Trust God and Don't Be AfraidKeep PerseveringLet Go, And Let GodA Word For The New Year (3)A Word For The New Year (4)Why Pray?Have You Read Your Bible Today?Learn To WaitWhere Can You Find Peace?Trust God's Saving And Keeping PowerDealing With Fear (1)Dealing With Fear (2)Dealing With Fear (3)Dealing With Fear (4)Dealing With Fear (5)Dealing With Fear (6)Dealing With Fear (7)Are You Successful But Unfulfilled?Choice MorselsYou're Commanded To LoveLive For What Matters!Today God Is With YouThe Assurance Of SalvationHave You Stumbled?You Can Have Peace And ProsperityHow To Walk In God's Blessings (1)How To Walk In God's Blessings (2)You're "Graced" For This TestAre You Under Pressure Today?Why You Need A Relationship With GodHow To Strengthen Your MarriageGive God The First Moments Of Your Day
February
Keep Believing in ThemSeek God's "Peace" Concerning ItDecide, and Stick With It!Dealing with Your Doubts (1)Dealing with Your Doubts (2)The StingGod Will Provide "All" You NeedLoving and Accepting OthersGenerational BlessingsYou Must Respond With GraceTurn Your Loss Into Gain (1)Turn Your Loss Into Gain (2)Turn Your Loss Into Gain (3)Your Identity Determines Your InheritanceTake it to God in PrayerGiving to Your SupplierHow Are You Coming Across?Get a "Preparation Perspective"Believe it, God's Word is TrueThe Power of Intimacy With ChristLive For Something Greater Than YourselfDealing With Our SinUnderstanding True Holiness"Do" God's WordUse What God Has Given You"Be of Good Courage, And Do It"Always Keep Your Conscience ClearThinking of Yourself Less
March
People Pleasing (1)People Pleasing (2)Can You Pay The Price?Today Try To Be GraciousGoodness (1)Goodness (2)Tell Someone About Jesus TodayPreparing For Greater ThingsYour Words Reveal Your HeartYour Family Background Doesn't MatterOur Nation Can Be SavedShow Some Enthusiasm!Let God Use Your BusinessCultivate An Awareness Of God's PresenceLoving People You Don't LikeCast Out Your FearsDon't Belittle Your GiftGod Will Visit You AgainAccept Responsibility For Your LifeLearn To Set BoundariesWhat Will Your Legacy Be? (1)What Will Your Legacy Be? (2)What Will Your Legacy Be? (3)Sow For The FutureCrossing The "What If" LineDo What God Called You To DoBe Who God Made You To Be!Keeping The Excitement AliveGetting Beyond "The Splat"Don't Worry, God is FaithfulKeep on Persevering
April
Always Be HonestRedefining "Good" FridayThe Battle Over the ResurrectionThe Work Was FinishedRenew Your Love for ChristConquering Your Toughest Enemy - Yourself!Are You Struggling With Change?Don't Listen to the AccuserHarmony at Home (1)Harmony at Home (2)Harmony at Home (3)The Secret to Surviving Hard TimesYour Old Nature and Your New OnePrayer Can Change Your LifePrayer: Make it Simple and FrequentAre You Worried? Pray About It!Either Rule, Or Be RuledAnswering the Big Questions (1)Answering the Big Questions (2)Answering the Big Questions (3)Answering the Big Questions (4)Answering the Big Questions (5)How to Handle Disagreements (1)
2020
October
Facing Death Without Fear (1)Facing Death Without Fear (2)Training Leaders Who Can Train Others (1)Training Leaders Who Can Train Others (2)The Martyr's ContestOld VoicesThink God Picked the Wrong Person?What You Weren't Sent to Do!Love and Enjoy Your ChildrenQuality and QuantitySoul HungerGod is Working in YouGrowth is More Important than GoalsDon't Stagnate!True Understanding Comes From Your BibleGet Rid of ItBelieve That God Has Heard YouLove ListensAre You in a Storm Today?How to Keep Your Peace and JoyHow to Pray EffectivelyGive Your Worries to GodTry Brainstorming (1)Try Brainstorming (2)Be Generous With GodFinding Purpose in Your WorkYou "Must" Love YourselfThe Gift of EncouragmentDon't Spread DiscouragementGo Back to Bethel!When Your Family Doesn't Understand You
November
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December
By God's Grace You Can OvercomeStrength Through SharingSustaining GraceWe Serve a Generous GodForgive Because You've Been ForgivenTry to Make RestitutionProtect Your MindMake Your Life Count for GodYou're Accepted, Loved, and SecureThe Bible and Your Health (1)The Bible and Your Health (2)The Truth of Creation (1)The Truth of Creation (2)The Truth of Creation (3)The Truth of Creation (4)The Truth of Creation (5)The Mickey Mantle StorySet Healthy Boundaries for YourselfDollars and DiamondsHave You Prayed About It?Forget It and Move OnHold On Until Your Joy ComesKeep Your Conscience ClearAre You Alone This Christmas?Christmas is About - ChristBe FlexibleFocus on the Solution not the ProblemHave You Been Betrayed?
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