We Are Better Together

The saying, “We are better together”, is popular among social activists and churches today. It reflects the truth that we can accomplish more when we work together. We can more productive people when we work together, because our talents may be complementary providing synergism to the tasks. Another benefit to working together is the availability of encouragement by having others near us.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” We need each other. Work more fruitful when it is shared. Life is more beautiful with loved ones. Encouragement is only available when we have someone alongside us.

Building Fortresses

When we were young, we enjoyed making forts out of blankets, sheets and furniture. We would also make towers and forts out of legos, lincoln logs, and blocks of woods. We would imagine that these fortresses protected us from our imaginary enemies and gave us power in some way. Unfortunately, they did not and eventually had to come down when mom had had enough of the mess. We still build imaginary fortresses of wealth, fame, friends, and our good reputation. Unfortunately, these towers cannot maintain the power and security that we desire.

Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” Fame, wealth, friends, and a good reputation cannot provide the safety we desire. Only the powerful name of the Lord can give us the security we want. Seek the Lord with your whole heart and He will reward you with love, peace, and strength.

The Trees Speak

For the last two days, I have been hiking through some forests that are new to me. I don’t know about you, but the forest and the trees seem to speak to me. Just by looking at them, I know the season we are in. New green leaves tell me it is spring moving into summer. No leaves let me know that it is late fall and moving into winter. The trees also speak to me about the grandeur and majesty of my God and His hand in creation.

In Luke 21:29-31 Jesus said, “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the summer is already near.” We need to learn to discern the signs of the times. To do that, we should search the Scriptures to see what Jesus said about our world today and what will certainly happen in the future.

Shepherd’s Voice

In John 10, Jesus is recorded as He likened His place with His followers to the role of a Good Shepherd with his sheep. The Good Shepherd protects his sheep and leads them to bountiful postures. The sheep follow the Good Shepherd because they trust him. The sheep know the Good Shepherd’s voice and follow faithfully when he speaks. They do not follow other voices who use lies, deceptions, and accusations to mislead the sheep into dangerous paths.

John 10:4-5 says, “When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” We must learn to listen to God’s voice of truth and resist the voices of lies, deceptions, and accusations. God’s voice will lead us in paths of security, truth, and hope. Other voices will lead us to danger, hopelessness, and futility.

In the Spotlight

Some people seek the spotlight. They love the opportunity to be deemed noteworthy. Others of us would rather work behind the scenes and not be seen. However, we all enjoy the kind attention given to us by other people.

I Samuel 2:9 says, “Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man.” What was the key for Samuel to gain favor from the Lord and from men? Verse 30 says, “but now the LORD declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” Honor God, and He will bring you honor with Himself and with men.