"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
Men are sharpened for battle. Just as a dull sword is useless in combat, so is a dull man. And we know that our war is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Eph 6:12) Men, we were not made to wage war against each other. We are not each other's enemies but it is Satan himself who sows confusion among our ranks so that brother fights brother to tear each other down. Brothers, this should not be!
We were made to sharpen each other as iron sharpens iron. We were made to grow stronger together. And now, it is Christ, the man of men, the king of kings, and the lord of lords, who has bound himself to us eternally by faith. And when we are bound to him and bound to each other we will not fall but we will prevail against the enemy. Your brother is not your enemy even though he may attack you. Realize he needs the truth of Jesus Christ to set him free (John 8:32) from the true enemy's grasp so that he may join you in the fight.
Do not hate your brother and tear him down, but build him up as a fellow soldier in Christ. Offer him the Truth and set him free.
Showing posts with label fellowship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fellowship. Show all posts
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Luke 9:13-14
"But Jesus said, “You feed them.”
“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?” For there were about 5,000 men there."
This was 5,000 men, not including women and children. The problem here is complex and not easily solved with money. To feed this multitude of people would cost 200 years worth of wages and all that was had was two fish and five loaves of bread. But when they shared all that they had, they still had extra to collect.
So if you care enough to ask as Jesus's disciples did, "Who will feed all these people?" You shouldn't be surprised to hear Jesus say, "You feed them." Jesus gives a very simple and practical solution to a very complex problem. So simple, in fact, that it seems he doesn't grasp the situation or is being inconsiderate and uncaring. But Jesus Christ is God and no one understands the situation better than He and still he says, "You feed them."
Jesus doesn't expect you to go out and spend your entire life savings feeding people. He knows you don't have that kind of money and one person alone cannot solve world hunger. However, as God has provided you with what little or what plenty you have, share it and God will make it enough.
“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?” For there were about 5,000 men there."
This was 5,000 men, not including women and children. The problem here is complex and not easily solved with money. To feed this multitude of people would cost 200 years worth of wages and all that was had was two fish and five loaves of bread. But when they shared all that they had, they still had extra to collect.
So if you care enough to ask as Jesus's disciples did, "Who will feed all these people?" You shouldn't be surprised to hear Jesus say, "You feed them." Jesus gives a very simple and practical solution to a very complex problem. So simple, in fact, that it seems he doesn't grasp the situation or is being inconsiderate and uncaring. But Jesus Christ is God and no one understands the situation better than He and still he says, "You feed them."
Jesus doesn't expect you to go out and spend your entire life savings feeding people. He knows you don't have that kind of money and one person alone cannot solve world hunger. However, as God has provided you with what little or what plenty you have, share it and God will make it enough.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Philippians 1:27
"Whatever happens, above all else conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel"
No matter what, we are in this together. That is the message Paul is giving us in Philippians. This is the first command he gives and it is also the most important. Above all else, do this. It is a call to unity and to endure together no matter what comes of him, whether he lives or dies in prison. But why is it so important that the church be unified?
In John 17, Jesus Christ prays for all believers to be one just as He and the Father are one in order that the world would know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
It is through our unity that Christ proves his divinity.
It is our unity that shows the world that there exists a God in heaven who loves them.
It is our unity that brings about saving faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
It not only saves others, but it saves us as well.
And so not only our salvation but the salvation of the entire world depends on the church standing firm together.
No matter what, we are in this together. That is the message Paul is giving us in Philippians. This is the first command he gives and it is also the most important. Above all else, do this. It is a call to unity and to endure together no matter what comes of him, whether he lives or dies in prison. But why is it so important that the church be unified?
In John 17, Jesus Christ prays for all believers to be one just as He and the Father are one in order that the world would know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
It is through our unity that Christ proves his divinity.
It is our unity that shows the world that there exists a God in heaven who loves them.
It is our unity that brings about saving faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
It not only saves others, but it saves us as well.
And so not only our salvation but the salvation of the entire world depends on the church standing firm together.
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