“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” - I Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV).
There are many things that occurred during the 1992 Olympics in Spain, Barcelona, which no one ever recalls. However, there is an event that has lived through memory. In the course of the 400 meter semifinals race, a British record holder sprinter, Derrick Redmond, tore his hamstring. He hobbled to a halt, and then fell to the ground in pain. Stretcher bearers made their way over to him, but Redmond pushed them off. He got up and began to hobble along the track.
Then from nowhere his father, Jim Redmond, tore through security and on to the track, lifting up Derek. Jim and Derek completed the lap of the track together, with Derek leaning on his father's shoulder for support. As they crossed the finish line, the crowd of 65,000 spectators rose to give father and son team a standing ovation.
That event signifies in many respects the meaning of the Christian faith. After killing Abel, “Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?” (Genesis 4:9). Of course Cain was at fault. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity.”
Looking out for one another is a call for every believer. “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1).
When someone once asked why Christians must engage in the habit of regularly sharing answered prayer requests, the answer was, as one listens to answered prayer requests of other's then if his faith is down, it might be uplifted. This is why the Apostle Paul writes, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25).
Like Jim and Derek, let us lift each other up, to finish the race.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, creator of heaven and faith, just as your son Jesus Christ died for my sins, may I always be looking out for my brothers and sisters, to build them up in faith.
Related upcoming events
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08/05/2024 - 09/05/2024 All day“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)
The culture of sharing gifts runs through scriptures and is at the heart of the Gospel. Upon realizing that Jesus Christ had been born the three wise main did not just go empty handed. “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” (Mathew 2:11).
When Jacob decided to return to his country, he went with gifts to soften the heart of his twin brother Esau, whom he had left maddened at him for various wrongs. “Then he selected these gifts from his possessions to present to his brother, Esau: 200 female goats, 20 male goats, 200 ewes, 20 rams, 30 female camels with their young, 40 cows, 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys, and 10 male donkeys” ( Genesis 32: 13-15). The reason was, Jacob thought, “I will try to appease him by sending gifts ahead of me. When I see him in person, perhaps he will be friendly to me.” So the gifts were sent on ahead, while Jacob himself spent that night in the camp” (vv 2—21).
Esau was already a wealthy man and had no need of the gifts presented. But Jacob pleaded with him. “Please take this gift I have brought you, for God has been very gracious to me. I have more than enough.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau finally accepted the gift” (Genesis 33: 11). This symbol of good touched Esau, brightened his heart, burying the old acrimonious relation.
Taking after these two instances believers should be in the habit of sharing gifts. We should visit each other not empty handed but like the wise men with gifts, not so much that those we are gifting are lacking, but as a way of blessing them. Proverbs 11:25-26, says, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”
Most importantly we bless each other with gifts because we have received the most important gift there is in life, the gift of salvation. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I thank you for the most precious gift of all that you gave me of eternal life through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and so I pray that I may not hesitate to share this gift and bless those with as much whom you enable me to meet, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
