Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV

In Luke 10 we read that Jesus sent seventy-two of His followers out two by two to go ahead of Him, healing the sick and preaching about the coming Kingdom of God. Why in pairs? He knew that a man or woman alone is vulnerable. Loneliness, doubts, and a constant barrage of hostile questions and false truths can be irritating. When we’re on our own, those things distract us and even threaten our well-being. But when we pair with others, we can offer encouragement. We can remind one another of what Jesus taught and what Scripture says. We can uphold one another through hardship and heartache, knowing that God loves us and will never abandon us. We can challenge each other to look for new ways to love and serve those around us. These are all ways to, as Hebrews 10 says, “spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

Great benefit comes from partnering with other believers–for accountability, for encouragement and for support as we seek to do the work the Lord has set before us.

REFLECT

aRE YOU FACING STRUGGLES THAT YOU’RE ATTEMPTING TO HANDLE ON YOUR OWN? hOW MIGHT PARTNERING WITH ANOTHER BELIEVER ENCOURAGE YOU AND HELP YOU TO ESCAPE TEMPTATIONS AND DOUBTS?

APPLY

tHINK OF ONE NEW MINISTRY OR ACT OF SERVICE OU HAVE BEEN NERVOUS TO TRY ON YOUR OWN. cONSIDER WHOSE PARTNERSHIP MIGHT BRING YOU THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND ENCOURAGEMENT YOU NEED.

CONNECT WITH GOD

lORD jESUS, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE TIMES THE BELIEVERS AROUND ME HAVE SUPPORTED ME IN MY TROUBLES AND CHALLENGED ME TO FOLLOW yOU MORE WHOLEHEARTEDLY. i’M GRATEFUL FOR THE GIFT OF COMMUNITY.

(Francine Rivers, Earth Psalms)