Tag: community

Teamwork Triumph! There is such strength and a sense of community in working together with God toward a common goal. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Authorized (King James) Version

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he ; for he hath not another to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

What is Ecclesiastes trying to tell us?

Ecclesiastes explores the incomparably vast futility of ‘chasing’ worldly pursuits and the importance of fearing God and enjoying life’s simple gifts, ultimately suggesting that the truest meaning and purpose are found in a knotted relationship with God, not in material success or fleeting pleasures. 

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

  • The Futility of “Under the Sun”: The book uses the phrase “under the sun” to describe life without God, where everything seems meaningless and ultimately unsatisfying. 
  • Vanity and Meaninglessness: The author, traditionally believed to be Solomon, explores various aspects of life, including wisdom, knowledge, pleasure, work, and time, and concludes that they are all ultimately “vanity” or “meaningless” when considered apart from God. 
  • The Importance of Fearing God: Ecclesiastes emphasizes the importance of “fearing God” which means trusting, obeying, and serving God, rather than relying on oneself or worldly achievements. 
  • Enjoying Life’s Gifts: While acknowledging the limitations of life, the book also encourages people to enjoy the simple gifts of life, such as good food, good company, and the beauty of creation. 
  • Finding Meaning in God: The book suggests that true meaning and purpose are found in a relationship with God, not in material possessions, achievements, or fleeting pleasures. 
  • Hope for God’s Judgment: Ecclesiastes also reveals the surest hope for God’s judgment that will destroy evil and bring justice, which fuels a life of honesty and integrity, despite life’s mysteries. 

What is the main point of the book of Ecclesiastes?

The book reveals the necessity of fearing God in a fallen and frequently confusing and frustrating world. Humans seek lasting significance, but no matter how great their accomplishments, humans are unable to achieve the lasting significance they desire.

How do I apply Ecclesiastes to my life?

8 Lessons From Ecclesiastes

  1. Everyone Faces Challenging Times. …
  2. Be Cautious of Busyness. …
  3. Uncertainty Is a Part of Life. …
  4. A Relationship With God Gives Life Meaning. …
  5. Focus on God’s Gifts. …
  6. The End Is More Important Than Life. …
  7. God Is in Control. …
  8. Follow God’s Commandments.

Teamwork is important.

There is strength and a sense of community in working together toward a common goal.

Working together is essential in overcoming challenges and achieving shared objectives.

Matthew 28:16-20 Authorized (King James) Version

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Teamwork develops synergy, where individual strengths complement each other, leading to greater productivity and creativity.

Through teamwork, various perspectives and skills contribute to thorough problem solving and innovation.

The Bible emphasizes the values of teamwork.

From Moses and Aaron leading the Israelites to Jesus sending out his disciples, cooperation and mutual support are foundational to God’s work. Together we can all encourage, support, and build each other up in faith and good works.

Looking way, way back, I see how teamwork has enriched my personal growth and accomplishments. It has taught me humility, patience, and the spirit filling joy of celebrating collective achievements. Glory to God! Each team effort has strengthened relationships and fostered a sense of community and belonging.

We can embrace collaboration in all areas of life, seeking opportunities to work alongside others, leveraging people’s strengths for the greater good.

Let’s strive to imitate Savior Christ’s example of unity and service, knowing that together we can accomplish far more than we could if we worked alone.

What do now hold is the meaning of Ecclesiastes 4:9-12?

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 emphasizes, raises, the value of shared companionship and sound teamwork, stating two are better than one because they can help each other succeed, withstand challenges, and find warmth, while also highlighting the strength of a “threefold cord” (relationship with God) is not easily broken. 

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

  • “Two are better than one” (v. 9): This verse highlights the benefits of working and living together, as opposed to alone, emphasizing mutual support and shared success. 
  • “For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion” (v. 10): This illustrates the practical advantage of having someone to help when facing difficulties, emphasizing the importance of support and encouragement. 
  • “Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?” (v. 11): This emphasizes the comfort and warmth of companionship, both physically and emotionally. 
  • “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (v. 12): This verse introduces the concept of a “threefold cord”, often interpreted as a relationship with God, which adds a powerful layer of strength and resilience to a partnership or relationship. 
  • “Threefold cord”: This is a metaphor for a strong and unbreakable bond, often used to describe the strength of a marriage or friendship which includes God. 

What is the moral lesson of the book of Ecclesiastes?

It acknowledges that if we could understand why things happen, difficult circumstances would be easier to deal with somehow. Ecclesiastes helps us understand that the ups and downs of life are normal and part of God’s plan and that we each must keep an eternal perspective without having all the answers.

God did not create us to be alone — to be a solitary person trying to make it through life alone in a harsh world. 

When we read the Scriptures, we discover that some of God’s strongest servants had trouble when trying to serve Him when alone. 

Jesus intentionally sent out his disciples and apostles in pairs to do His work.  

In the Torah, God insisted that any legal testimony had to be established by at least two or three witnesses. 

In addition, the Lord Jesus emphasized the complete importance of two or three believers gathered together in His name to put aside hatted, sit with God, have tall, active fellowship involved forgiveness, reconciliation, discipline, daily. 

So, we shouldn’t be surprised by this insightful proverb found in our verses today. We are better off with a friend to share in our work, and they need us also.

We can help each other up when we’ve fallen, keep warm when it is cold, defend each other when under attack, be a solid and cohesive team when we weave our lives together with God.

And these principles apply to physical, emotional, and spiritual situations!

So, dear brother or sister in Savior Chris Jesus , please don’t try to do the Christian life alone on your own deserted island. Join with other believers and encourage each other. Our mutual support is vital to our faithfulness to Jesus!

In the name of God, the father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Psalm 84

To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.

1 How amiable are thy tabernacles,
O Lord of hosts!

2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord:
my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house,
and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young,
even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.
4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house:
they will be still praising thee. Selah.
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee;
in whose heart are the ways of them.
6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well;
the rain also filleth the pools.
7 They go from strength to strength,
every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.

8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer:
give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
9 Behold, O God our shield,
and look upon the face of thine anointed.
10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.
I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God,
than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield:
the Lord will give grace and glory:
no good thing will he withhold from them that walk upright

O Lord of hosts,
blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Valuing Self, Others, More Like Jesus: Are We Recognizing The Truest Value We All Have To the Kingdom of God? Mark 6:7-13

Mark 6:7-13 English Standard Version

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles

7 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— 9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.[a] 10 And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. 11 And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 12 So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Adeste Fideles! Laeti Triumphantes! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.

Community Is Our Doing Difficult Things Together

When Jesus sent out his disciples, he had very specific thoughts in mind.

He sent them out together to do difficult things.

He sent them out together.

He gave them authority over unclean spirits.

He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff.

He charged them to take no bread, no bag, no money in their belts.

He charged them to wear only one tunic at a time and wear only sandals.

He charged them to knock on doors they did not know and ask for hospitality.

He sent them out into the villages ahead of them to preach and to heal.

He charged them to give their testimony wherever they went and stayed.

That meant each of the six pairs of Apostles went to six different villages.

To proclaim a message of repentance and of the coming of God’s Kingdom.

Even though it was incredibly unlikely they had a very clear grasp of exactly what they were being commanded to preach and give their testimony about.

And it is highly doubtful that any one of the twelve Apostles had spent any amount of time or expended any measure of effort towards believing they had the ability, could exercise any authority or power over any unclean spirits.

I’m sure they were apprehensive at first.

I am not so sure they seriously believed they could actually accomplish the task before them, to act directly, decisively in the astounding measure of confidence they were told, nay commanded by Jesus, to display before all of those people.

One does not get the very clear idea that any one of those twelve believed that much in themselves, believed that they had that even minimal value to others.

But, one thing is abundantly clear about this whole scene and that is Jesus said nothing to them about of any rescinding his direct command of their mission.

He commanded them to “Go!”

Told them how and when to “Go!”

And such was his command of the moment and his authority over the twelve:

So, in obedience, Go they did out into those random villages ahead of them.

What were they told to expect of their efforts – nothing specific.

What did Jesus hope and pray they learned from whatever levels of success or failure each of them would report back to him with?

Again, we note there were no specific expectations of success or failure.

No standards of measure for either success or failure are given to anyone.

No graphs or charts, no percentages, no lectures from any in management.

“Go! and do as I have commanded exactly as I have commanded you!”

“Learn your unspecified lessons from your efforts and report back to me.”

Unspecified Lessons being perhaps:

“Learning of God.”

“Trusting in God”

“Testifying and Witnessing of and to God”

“Your immeasurable inestimable undeniable VALUE to the Kingdom of God”

But when they came back, with no specific expectations having been placed upon them they each had amazing stories to tell of God’s power displayed in their world and perhaps hidden even from their own perception – Value to God!

They returned to Jesus with a new found confidence.

They returned to Jesus with a new found sense of self esteem, value to others.

They learned to believe in themselves.

They learned to believe in themselves and to value themselves.

They learned to have confidence in God.

They learn to trust and believe in God.

They learn to highly value God in the undeniable role God plays in their lives.

They learned to have confidence, to trust in, place high, higher, highest value on the words and the plans and the intentions and the works of their Rabbi.

God, together with us in faith Community brings all of that ‘wonder’ together.

How many of those villagers lives were touched and transformed, now found themselves with a renewed, fresh and refreshed and refreshing belief in God?

How many of those villagers found themselves and their curiosity peaked to start wondering about and following this Itinerant master Rabbi named Jesus?

It goes and does difficult things together—all the time witnessing the amazing work of God in the world around us, all the time assigning inestimable value to each, every one of us, what we have to bring “just as we are” unto His Kingdom.

Are We Recognizing Our Value to God’s Kingdom?

John 15:12-17 English Standard Version

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13  Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14  You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants,[a] for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

When we think of these original apostles, we perhaps think of holy men of God.

And though they were gifted and dedicated, they also were all rather ordinary. 

Jesus did not call these men because they were great; their greatness was the result of the call upon their lives through Jesus being obedient to His Father.

A great writer can take an ordinary unvalued piece of paper, and with the addition of his or her words, and God it suddenly becomes extremely valuable.

It wasn’t the blank piece of paper that was valuable; it was what the inspired thoughts which the writer, for whatever reason, just put down on that paper.

History has repeatedly taught us that a great artist can take a canvas and paint, and suddenly it becomes $$$$ costly work of art because of what the artist did.

It wasn’t the canvas that was valuable; it is what the inspired artist painted on the canvas.

As believers, we recognize in ourselves that we are sinners separated from God.

But let’s also recognize that when Christ came into our lives, He gave us value.

He put His treasure in earthen vessels, or in jars of clay, which are our lives.

As 2 Corinthians 4:7 tells us, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”

As Ephesians 2:8-10 Amplified so eloquently reminds each and every one of us;

8 For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; 9 not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]. 10 For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].

With a new confidence and boldness, we have something to offer.

It is not self-confidence; it is God-confidence.

It is not self-esteem; it’s God-esteem.

God graciously forgave us and took us into His kingdom, and now He has made us someone of inestimable value to the work which God began at the beginning.

In the same way,

the original twelve apostles, called by their Master Rabbi Jesus were valuable because of what Jesus did in their lives, by summoning and sending them too.

Valued of Mankind versus Valued of God

“Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
perfect in power, in love and purity.”

Sinful man who goes to indescribable, unnecessary lengths to devalue itself in the eyes of self and of each other, devalue others through indescribable means,

Indescribably, stereotypically “crucify,” unimaginably devalue and degrade, disenchant, disenfranchise, dehumanize and to fully and utterly humiliate,

Sinful man whose eyes no longer are focused upon the inestimable value of life which God has assigned to each, every single cell of one of His own creations,

From the very beginning of all created things, and through the very end of all created things, God has always had one very specific, undervalued message;

God’s never changing message to everyone is exactly and exactingly this:

Genesis 1:26-27 Authorized (King James) Version

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

“I, and I alone assign all the value you will ever need or require in your life!”

God wrote His name on your heart when you gave your life to Jesus Christ.

He has given you incomparable value, valuable gifts and invaluable abilities.

He has fully, utterly and completely invested everything of Himself in you.

That is where your absolute value to God and His Kingdom comes from.

And that’s why you can make an absolutely miraculous, wondrous difference.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 139:1-18 Complete Jewish Bible

139 (0) For the leader. A psalm of David:

(1) Adonai, you have probed me, and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I stand up,
you discern my inclinations from afar,
3 you scrutinize my daily activities.
You are so familiar with all my ways
4 that before I speak even a word, Adonai,
you know all about it already.
5 You have hemmed me in both behind and in front
and laid your hand on me.
6 Such wonderful knowledge is beyond me,
far too high for me to reach.

7 Where can I go to escape your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I climb up to heaven, you are there;
if I lie down in Sh’ol, you are there.
9 If I fly away with the wings of the dawn
and land beyond the sea,
10 even there your hand would lead me,
your right hand would hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Let darkness surround me,
let the light around me be night,”
12 even darkness like this
is not too dark for you;
rather, night is as clear as day,
darkness and light are the same.

13 For you fashioned my inmost being,
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I thank you because I am awesomely made,
wonderfully; your works are wonders —
I know this very well.
15 My bones were not hidden from you
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes could see me as an embryo,
but in your book all my days were already written;
my days had been shaped
before any of them existed.
17 God, how I prize your thoughts!
How many of them there are!
18 If I count them, there are more than grains of sand;
if I finish the count, I am still with you.

Psalm 139:23-24 Complete Jewish Bible

23 Examine me, God, and know my heart;
test me, and know my thoughts.
24 See if there is in me any hurtful way,
and lead me along the eternal way.

Invaluable Father, Invaluable Son, Invaluable Holy Spirit, send us into the world together, in your inestimable name, to immeasurably love and value all thy children and to ceaselessly witness to your power at work through changing lives. Let us each bring to you only ceaseless, incalculable, indescribable, immeasurable, inestimable, invaluable, unrelenting glory unto your name and into your name alone. Amen.

Adeste Fideles! Laeti Triumphantes! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.

Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.

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