Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ... Please take the time to take in song, images, and lyrics from the group, The Hollies, singing He Ain’t Heavy - He’s My Brother … poignantly singing for how we need to lift one another up in God’s Family.
1997 Ironman Triathlon Women's Final
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Highlight Verse[s]: Ecclesiastes 4:12 [ESV] ... 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
… Lone Ranger Christianity just doesn’t cut it in life!!
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Highlight Passage [context]: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 [ESV] ... USE THIS LINK ...
… God, thru Solomon, shows us that two, working together, are stronger and more successful than one.
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Reference Passage : … Exodus 17:8-13 [ESV] ... USE THIS LINK …
… Moses needed help from Aaron and Hur, who lifted Moses’ hands to help defeat the enemy. We all do better when we work together as Christians to do battle against our enemies.
Reference Passage : … Proverbs 27:17 [ESV] … 17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another
… More often in life we do better when we’re helping one another.
Reference Passage : … Philippians 2:3-4 [ESV] … 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
… God, thru Paul, exhorts Christians to look beyond our self interests and help one another in the struggles of life.
Reference Passage : … Hebrews 10:24-25 [ESV] … 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
… When we come together as Christians, we do so much better in these evil days when we encourage one another.
My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Xochitl Dixon, relates the heart-warming story of two desperate triathlon finishers showing their competitive, yet helpful, spirit in the famous Ironman Triathlon. … The ODB author wrote: In the 1997 Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii, two women fought to stay on their feet as they hobbled toward the finish line. [see photo] Exhausted, the runners persevered on wobbly legs, until Sian Welch bumped into Wendy Ingraham. They both dropped to the ground. Struggling to stand, they stumbled forward, only to fall again about twenty meters from the finish line. When Ingraham began to crawl, the crowd applauded. When her competitor followed suit, they cheered louder. Ingraham crossed the finish line in fourth place, and she slumped into the outstretched arms of her supporters. Then she turned and reached out to her fallen sister. Welch lunged her body forward, stretching her weary arm toward Ingraham’s hand and across the finish line. As she completed the race in fifth place, the crowd roared their approval. [see also THIS VIDEO]
Even in competition we do better when are lifted up and encouraged by the crowd or from another competitor. God’s word is repetitively clear (see scriptures above) that followers of Christ, in the competitions or battle of life, are more successful for God’s kingdom when we come TOGETHER and help one another. And my guess is that all my fellow Christians reading here have experienced the uplifting strength of a fellow believer when we needed their strength or help to compete or do battle in life.
If not, I pray we will experience that kind of help … maybe even today. But, we’re going to have to set aside ego and pride and be willing to reach out and seek the help of a fellow Christian if we need it. “Lone Ranger” Christianity is not where it’s at in life!! So, if we need help, let’s reach out and get it from a fellow believer today.
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My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for showing us the value of working together to encourage one another in the challenges of life.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray, Lord, that all reading here will join me today, to reach out and seek help if we need it today. Amen
Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.</ span>
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