Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth for he hath not another to help him.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
As I’ve been studying and reading my Bible I’ve been reminded that it’s important for us as the members of the body of Christ to stay connected with other members. In my personal Bible Study, I came across the story of Aaron and Hur who held Moses’ arms up and as long as Moses’ arms were up with his staff, Joshua and the army of Israel had victory against the Amalekites.
Though Moses was the one who held his hands in the air, Joshua only had victory in the battle while he did. Moses, being human, became tired. His hands became heavy and it was hard for him to hold them up. So, Aaron, the man whom God had ordained to support Moses, and Hur, a faithful man of the tribe of Judah, sat Moses down and held his arms up in the air, so that Israel could win the battle.
As I studied this, I was reminded that if we’re a child of God (through the Blood of Jesus Christ), then when we have battles that God has directed us to, we must allow others to be a part of that battle. They may not be in the actual fight but they may be prayer warriors, they may be those who bring us the message of God through encouraging words.
You see, human nature makes it too easy for us to decide not to share our battles with others… Satan comes in and says, but “what would others think?” “Won’t they think you’re not spiritual?” He brings in shame because of the battle, when in reality the shame is found in not fighting the battle. God has ordained that we help each other in the battles of life. That is what the shield of faith does. The shield of faith is rectangular in shape and has hooks on either side, to connect to the shield of the soldier on either side.
When we’re in a battle, we need to stay connected with others of God’s people. We need to have the support of those who know how to pray. We need to have the support of those who know God’s Word well enough to give us encouragement from the Word of God.
I’m not suggesting that we should become complainers… nor that every battle must be as public as I’ve allowed mine to be. However, when you’re in a battle, you need to find someone who is a strong Christian who can come alongside and stay connected with them in the battle. Then when God gives you the victory in the battle, be sure to share that victory with the ones who came alongside to help keep you going day to day.
When you’re in a battle, you need to have someone who can share God’s Word with you, particularly if you feel so besieged by the enemy that you find it hard to be in God’s Word yourself.
Paul said it this way in 1 Corinthians 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many. I am aware that this passage is often used in reference to our service to the Lord as we think of it in relationship to church activities, but is not supporting another member of Christ’s body during a time of specific battle, service to the Lord?
If God allows you to be a support to another, be there for them. Stay connected with them. If God makes you aware of someone in a particular battle and He lays it on your heart to pray for them…. Pray for them. If He lays it on your heart to send them a card of encouragement… send the card. If He lays it on your heart to supply food…. supply the food. It may seem like a little thing to you but one who is in the heat of a battle, needs all the support they can get. They need to stay connected. A word of caution: Don’t misuse God’s Word as a weapon against your fellow child of God. Though God says in His Word in Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. It is never to be used by the wielder as a weapon against our own. Though God’s Word pierces and divides, it is meant to have a an ultimate healing capacity when used properly.
Perhaps you are the one in battle and your natural inclination is to pull away from the body of Christ thinking it best not to share your battle with another. If you decide to keep your battle to yourself… even though God may have given you someone specifically in your life to support you during this time, two things can happen. Number one, you run the risk of prolonging your battle. War is always easier to win when there is more support on your side. Number two, you run the risk of robbing those who would support you of the joy of the victory God wants to give you. Your victory in battle is a source of encouragement and joy to others who’ve come alongside you in the fight.
When you have battles in your life… and you will if you’re a child of God…Satan will make sure of it… allow others to help in your fight.
Perhaps you’re not a child of God, yet you find yourself fighting “something”… you know not what. Won’t you give your life to the Lord Jesus Christ and allow Him to come alongside you along with others of His children to give you support in your fight? Won’t you do it today?
As I thought on this, I’ve thought about the last 2+ years, when we started this journey after Katie’s diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. I remember that day as clearly as if it were yesterday. It was then that I reached out to you, my Christian sisters, through these devotionals and I know that many of you have prayed for me and my family. I want to say thanks for being faithful to that call. Thanks for joining in my battle with me. Thanks for encouraging me to continue in the fight. Thanks for reminding me the fight isn’t about me… but about God’s desire for victory in my life and the life of my family. Thanks for reminding me to stay connected with you.
Molly Winter
Col. 1:9-10
My Comments: The content of this message really hit home with me, since I have been through a number of battles lately and have really needed the body of Christ to help me stay strong and focused. I found a lot in this message that I need to go back over and deal with in my life. I’m convicted that I am often not available to others in the way I need to be for the battles they face.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
As I’ve been studying and reading my Bible I’ve been reminded that it’s important for us as the members of the body of Christ to stay connected with other members. In my personal Bible Study, I came across the story of Aaron and Hur who held Moses’ arms up and as long as Moses’ arms were up with his staff, Joshua and the army of Israel had victory against the Amalekites.
Though Moses was the one who held his hands in the air, Joshua only had victory in the battle while he did. Moses, being human, became tired. His hands became heavy and it was hard for him to hold them up. So, Aaron, the man whom God had ordained to support Moses, and Hur, a faithful man of the tribe of Judah, sat Moses down and held his arms up in the air, so that Israel could win the battle.
As I studied this, I was reminded that if we’re a child of God (through the Blood of Jesus Christ), then when we have battles that God has directed us to, we must allow others to be a part of that battle. They may not be in the actual fight but they may be prayer warriors, they may be those who bring us the message of God through encouraging words.
You see, human nature makes it too easy for us to decide not to share our battles with others… Satan comes in and says, but “what would others think?” “Won’t they think you’re not spiritual?” He brings in shame because of the battle, when in reality the shame is found in not fighting the battle. God has ordained that we help each other in the battles of life. That is what the shield of faith does. The shield of faith is rectangular in shape and has hooks on either side, to connect to the shield of the soldier on either side.
When we’re in a battle, we need to stay connected with others of God’s people. We need to have the support of those who know how to pray. We need to have the support of those who know God’s Word well enough to give us encouragement from the Word of God.
I’m not suggesting that we should become complainers… nor that every battle must be as public as I’ve allowed mine to be. However, when you’re in a battle, you need to find someone who is a strong Christian who can come alongside and stay connected with them in the battle. Then when God gives you the victory in the battle, be sure to share that victory with the ones who came alongside to help keep you going day to day.
When you’re in a battle, you need to have someone who can share God’s Word with you, particularly if you feel so besieged by the enemy that you find it hard to be in God’s Word yourself.
Paul said it this way in 1 Corinthians 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many. I am aware that this passage is often used in reference to our service to the Lord as we think of it in relationship to church activities, but is not supporting another member of Christ’s body during a time of specific battle, service to the Lord?
If God allows you to be a support to another, be there for them. Stay connected with them. If God makes you aware of someone in a particular battle and He lays it on your heart to pray for them…. Pray for them. If He lays it on your heart to send them a card of encouragement… send the card. If He lays it on your heart to supply food…. supply the food. It may seem like a little thing to you but one who is in the heat of a battle, needs all the support they can get. They need to stay connected. A word of caution: Don’t misuse God’s Word as a weapon against your fellow child of God. Though God says in His Word in Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. It is never to be used by the wielder as a weapon against our own. Though God’s Word pierces and divides, it is meant to have a an ultimate healing capacity when used properly.
Perhaps you are the one in battle and your natural inclination is to pull away from the body of Christ thinking it best not to share your battle with another. If you decide to keep your battle to yourself… even though God may have given you someone specifically in your life to support you during this time, two things can happen. Number one, you run the risk of prolonging your battle. War is always easier to win when there is more support on your side. Number two, you run the risk of robbing those who would support you of the joy of the victory God wants to give you. Your victory in battle is a source of encouragement and joy to others who’ve come alongside you in the fight.
When you have battles in your life… and you will if you’re a child of God…Satan will make sure of it… allow others to help in your fight.
Perhaps you’re not a child of God, yet you find yourself fighting “something”… you know not what. Won’t you give your life to the Lord Jesus Christ and allow Him to come alongside you along with others of His children to give you support in your fight? Won’t you do it today?
As I thought on this, I’ve thought about the last 2+ years, when we started this journey after Katie’s diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. I remember that day as clearly as if it were yesterday. It was then that I reached out to you, my Christian sisters, through these devotionals and I know that many of you have prayed for me and my family. I want to say thanks for being faithful to that call. Thanks for joining in my battle with me. Thanks for encouraging me to continue in the fight. Thanks for reminding me the fight isn’t about me… but about God’s desire for victory in my life and the life of my family. Thanks for reminding me to stay connected with you.
Molly Winter
Col. 1:9-10
My Comments: The content of this message really hit home with me, since I have been through a number of battles lately and have really needed the body of Christ to help me stay strong and focused. I found a lot in this message that I need to go back over and deal with in my life. I’m convicted that I am often not available to others in the way I need to be for the battles they face.
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