Words of Wisdom Heal

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. 

Romans 14:19 

It goes without saying, that God wants us to build one another up.  In fact, the word used for "build one another up" comes from a root word meaning "architecture."  It is the supporting structure attached to the foundation (Christ) that keeps everything together. It carries the idea of strengthening one another, to make one another more able to face the challenges of living.    Paul wrote to the Philippians, "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.(Ph'p.3:14)" To complete the course we need encouragement to keep running, to keep pursuing!  Young, old, we are in the race together. There will be people that will drop out, walk out, and fall out. While we wish that this would not happen, it does. But, we can minimize this by being there for one another and helping to be someone's strength when they have need.  The writer of Hebrews states,  “Encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25, NIV).

God does this for us. He “supports us in every hardship, so that we are able to come to the support of others, in every hardship of theirs because of the encouragement that we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:14). In the same way, God wants us be patient with one another, supportive of one another. Even after we grow close enough to each other to learn one another’s quirks and annoying little habits, we still stick by each other’s side. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “With all humility and gentleness, and with patience, support each other in love” (Eph 4:2).

Is there someone who could use your encouragement today? Don’t wait until later! Encourage them now. This is vital, because they may not be here to run the race tomorrow. Your words of encouragement may be just what they need to make it another day!  So, today you have a choice. Will you build up? Or will you tear down?

Sharp words cut like a sword, but words of wisdom heal . ~ Pro 12:18    

Jim

New Book: The Year of Living Like Jesus

Reading a new book - The Year of Living Like Jesus by Edward Dobson

At first, I thought this was going to be a cornball book, but after reading just the initial pages and 1st chapter of the book, I have changed my mind. This is going to be good.

I have to admire the gentleman's take on this, I would not have thought of approaching this this way. And it begs you to consider what living like Jesus means - if taken in a literal sense. It shows me at least, that I'm not as "mindful" of this as I should be. He mentions some new phrases that I have come to admire - "the Jesus thing to do" and whether something is "Jesus-ly" I like this, and these are becoming my new personal buzz words.

Why would I do this you might ask? Well - I will admit. I have studied many different religions and religious views. Some - I have adapted. I have studied Native American religion, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Zen. Each have principles that I find appealing, all of them revolving around how to get along with other people, stay out of fights, etc. Yet, it is Jesus that stands out to me more than any of them, because I find in him, what I aspire to be. Not a guru, but the character, the ability to handle himself, the quality of life that comes from him and the reasoning behind it all. There are other reasons more in depth that I won't write here, but suffice it to say - He is what I want to be like.

I find this book so far, interesting in helping me to understand another perspective of that walk.