21 Days of Drawing near 2024 Strengthened in Connections and Encouraging One Another

Every trip on a commercial aircraft begins with the safety information.  Passengers are advised in an emergency to fix their own oxygen mask and then to help someone else if needed.  The same advice holds true for our life journey that we need to be strengthened in our connection to the Lord before and while we help others.  During this 21 Days of Drawing Near the Harvest family has focused on Strengthening ourselves in the Word and in Prayer.  During this final leg of the journey we are looking at Strengthening our Connections and Encouraging one another. Increased strength is not just for us but for others as well!

In the Old Testament we observe that David strengthened himself in the Lord (I Samuel 30:6) and in other situations his companions, his mighty men strengthened him.  Jesus spent time with the Father on a regular basis and set aside time to pray alone.  Just before the Cross Jesus invited his closest companions to go with Him to pray in Gethsemane (Mark 14: 33-34)
at a time when He needed great strength. We need each other to strengthen, encourage and walk together our lives of faith.

From the early days of the Church we see lives of faith as community and mutual building together.  in Acts 4:32 (TPT) " All the believers were one in mind and heart.  Selfishness was  not a part of their community, for they shared everything they had with one another.".  Paul tells the believers in the Thessalonian church : "So speak encouraging words to one another.  Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it."   (I Thessalonians 5:11 The Message).  In the difficult places of life, in the swirl of chaos around us in the world we need to be always looking out for each other with help, strength and encouragement.  

I challenge us all to be strength builders for each other, to help the weak, to lift up the stumbling, to cheer on the discouraged and to build hope for the hopeless.  We are all tellers of Good News, the Gospel, to the lost and to the believers as well as we walk by faith.  Start at home and with those closest to you and speak an affirming, encouraging word over them today.  Look at  the people that are around you in your daily work, school, marketplace routine and notice, affirm and strengthen them with kindness and compassion.  Let's be the voice, hands and feet of Jesus in all places today.