“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fail, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him – a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV
It is vitally important as we go about our daily lives that we make time for our friends, especially those that are fellow believers. We need to strengthen each other and to be strengthened in our daily Christian walk. We need to be praying for each other, seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit on all who we come in contact with. We need to intercede daily for those whom we are called to love and serve. As we spend more and more time with other who are seeking Godly lives, we will be changed to be more Godly. If we spend most of our time with those who live sinful lives and who do not see their need for God, we will become more like them. We certainly are called to be a witness to all, but it is vitally important to make time to press together with other believers to interceded one for another in prayer and to spend time together in comradery. Here are several verses to ponder and consider:
“Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”” 1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20 ESV
“Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.” Proverbs 22:24-25 ESV
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” 1 Peter 4:8-10 ESV
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the ore as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
“One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Proverbs 12:26 ESV
“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7 ESV
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:12-15 ESV
It is vitally important for us to forgive all those whom have wronged us. We are also to forgive ourselves for our own shortcomings, and to see forgiveness from others when we have failed them. Only as we are able to forgive others, will we be able to accept the forgiveness that Christ has for us. If we fail to forgive others, we are failing to receive the whole blessing God intends to give us. This does not mean that you have to trust someone that has grossly violated your trust ever again. You may not even have to allow them in your life. Forgiveness is as much for you as it is for the other person, if not more so. It is a choice to let go of the pain and the anger and resentment that comes from being wronged by that person. To seek to forgive others, pray that God will give you His eyes for the other person. That He will cause you to love them the way that He does and to see them the way He does. Ask Him to make it clear to you if it’s His will, why they would have chosen to hurt you if you believe it might help you to be able to forgive them, but do not get caught up on this, even if you are unable to understand. If you feel like God is convicting you to let them know that you forgave them, do so either with a letter or in person, but please be safe. Some people are best avoided. Judge each situation carefully. Abusive people are best avoided as much as is possible. You can wish someone well and forgive them and yet maintain distance for safety. This isn’t wrong.
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the LORD has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:12-14 ESV
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV
We are called to help others in their daily lives. We should be praying for others and interceding on their behalf to our Father in heaven. If you think of the analogy that we are each a coal in a fireplace, you can begin to see how important it is to support one another. If you take a coal out of a fireplace and set it aside, it will grow dim and die. Only by seeking companionship with our Father and fellow believers can we maintain a fire and zeal for heavenly things. This will give us much victory in life. If you have been neglecting service to and with others for the cause of Christ, then repent and commit to spending time each week with fellow believers.
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the LORD.” Romans 12:10-11 ESV
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 ESV
“And this commandment we have from Him: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” 1 John 4:21 ESV
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15 ESV
Our influence should never be considered unimportant. Even our enemies are affected by our presence. We can be praying for all those we come in contact with in secret. We can see to be a blessing, to be God’s hands and feet to others whom we come in contact with daily. Ask God to send you divine appointments with others and He will do just that. He will set people on your path with whom you can begin to share with how God is leading you. As you commit to Him daily and to the baptism of the Holy Spirit daily, you will feel His calling to love your fellow man and to reach out to them. Do not feel like you are ill-equipped. Just ask God to lead, pray frequently for the right words to say, and most importantly, serve others in love. God will lead you. Your influence on others should never, ever be considered unimportant. As you act more and more like God, you will cause others to desire to live more like God as well. This doesn’t mean that you will be free from all conflict, but you will shed a certain peace to others that they won’t be able to deny.
“When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7 ESV
“But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16 ESV
“I therefore, a prisoner for the LORD, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call – one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Ephesians 4:1-6 ESV
May it be said of you that you are a true friend, sharing God’s love to others. This is a beautiful verse below of one friend greeting his beloved friend named Timothy. Imagine the prayers that they must have shared for each other if they talk to each other in letters like this. May you be able to bless others with your words, and may you have many friends who share blessings with you. Seek Godly friendships. Never treat your friends as unimportant.
“To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our LORD. I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.” 2 Timothy 1:2-4 ESV
Biblical Health And Wellness 