Acts 2:46 (ESV)
And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking
bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts.
It’s game day, time to start school. You know what you have
to do, so you get out on the court or field to face your opponents. Then you
realize something’s wrong. You’re all by yourself. The other team is there,
looming over you like a dark storm cloud from the other end of the field.
However, not one of your teammates can be seen. Not on the court. Not on the
bench. Nowhere. You have no one on your side.
Do you ever feel like that is your spiritual situation?
Maybe you feel like the only Christian at your school facing the whole science
department that teaches evolution as truth. Maybe you’re the only one at your
job who doesn’t want to take a longer break than allowed.
In those situations, you may feel alone and unable to
handle the pressure. You know his promise to always be with you, yet the
present situation makes you question God’s presence.
That’s one of the reasons God surrounds us with the church
and puts other Christians in our lives. God does not want us to be alone. He
wants us to be together.
God equips your Christian friends to help you through all
kinds of life’s problems, earthly or spiritual. Whether you have questions
about the Bible or about your homework, whether you’re trying to pick a college
or what to wear to school tomorrow, Christian friends can help because they
(like you) know where to find answers to life’s critical questions. Christian
brothers and sisters can remind you of God’s promises and give encouragement,
comfort, or even correction from God’s Word. And not only do you get to enjoy
these benefits, but to share them! God calls you to be that encouraging,
supportive Christian friend to others too.
Most importantly, when you do crack under the pressure and
give in to sin, your Christian friends are there to point you to Jesus. Your
Christian friends are there to show and give you Jesus’s forgiveness. His
perfect life and innocent death paid the penalty for all your sins. That’s the
message you need to hear most of all. That’s also the message your friends need
to hear from you most of all.
Do you have Christian friends? Thank God for them! Surround
yourself with them. Then be one for them!
Dear Lord, thank You so much for blessing us with Christian
friends so we can encourage each other to stay close to You. Forgive us for the
times we haven’t been the friend You want us to be. Thank You for being the
perfect friend. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
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