December 19, 2006

 

It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

                                                                                     

--Philippians 1:7

 

Life is not meant to be a solo journey. Christ didn’t intend for us to walk this road without any fellow travelers. Sooner or later, we will all discover that we can’t make it alone.  And when we figure that out, we’ll be a lot better off!

 

One place where we need each other is in the church. The work of Jesus Christ advances through a network of relationships and friends. Paul considered his fellow believers as partners with him in sharing the Good News of Christ with others.

 

Paul knew how important the believers at Philippi were as his spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ who encouraged him in his Christian life…even as he encouraged them.

 

As Christians, we are a spiritual family. Paul felt this way toward the members of the church at Philippi. This is why he thanked the Lord for the privilege of knowing and serving with them.

 

We need friends and supporters in life—it’s just that simple. Christ puts people in our life to encourage and strengthen us in our walk of faith…and for them to receive those blessings from us.

 

Is there someone in your life who has been a special friend and encourager to you? Thank the Lord for that person today. Do you know someone who needs you to be a friend and encourager today? Reach out with that helping hand.

 

THANK THE LORD FOR YOUR SPECIAL ENCOURAGER—AND TAKE THE TIME TO ENCOURAGE SOMEONE ELSE TODAY!