When I'm going on long distance hikes, there are times I'm in incredible pain and just flat-out exhausted. If I didn't have a partner along with me, I'd just sit down, or I'd flat-out turn back. Having a partner in tough times keeps us going.
Spiritually it's the same. Who we surround ourselves with really matters. God says that, "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up," (1 Thess 5:11), and that's exactly what we need. Are your closest companions going to push you to excel spiritually, to remain faithful to a spiritual workout regimen? Will you do it for your friends?
"For the entire Law is fulfilled in in this one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."—Gal 5:14
Filtering by Tag: encouragement
The applause of a single person.
You've seen the scene: a man makes a daring speech, and there is silence. Suddenly, one person in the crowd stands up, and begins to clap. Then another. Then another. It is true that the applause of a single person is of great consequence.
How daring are you for the Christ? Do you keep quiet about it? In Philippians 1, Paul was thrown in prison for not keeping quiet, but he noted, "Most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear....yes, and I will rejoice."
One person's boldness can be infectious. How bold will you be?