Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Change”
Our Bible verse for today: “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Change is easier when we have others to help us with it.”
In recent days we’ve been considering strategies which will help us to implement and maintain needed change in our lives. We have already spent some time thinking about the fact that first and foremost, we need to seek for God’s guidance and empowerment when it comes to bringing about changes in our lives. And we have considered the truth that many times God will use other mature Christians to help us understand the change He wants to bring into our lives.
Another way others can help us with change is to experience the change with us. Workout programs are more fun and more effective when we do it with another person. Being part of a group of people who are in the process of reading the entire Bible and then meeting weekly to discuss it, can be motivational and encouraging.
Another way to involve others in the change that God is bringing about in our lives is for them to serve as an accountability partner. Years ago I knew a new Christian who had the bad habit of using profanity. He had spent years in a military environment where foul language was the norm. Now, as a new Christian, he discovered that in unguarded moments those words still came popping out of his mouth – sometimes even when he was with other Christians and sometimes even at Christian events. Obviously this was embarrassing for him and for everyone else. So he recruited his spouse and a couple of Christian friends to hold him accountable for his language. Whenever he used a curse word someone would confront him about it, and make him pay a dollar into a fund that was ultimately donated to the church. In the process his language got much better and the church got a little richer. So it worked out well for all of us (Lol).
One of my favorite “guy” Scriptures of all time is Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Although the language used is masculine, the truth applies to all of us regardless of gender. We need each other because we can strengthen and help each other. Change is easier when we have others to help us with it.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 