Hebrews 10:24-25 AMP “Let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities, Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together as believers, as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.”

 I am beginning to realize more and more how important it is to be surrounded by an intimate group of God fearing, God loving people. Let’s face it…life can be hard sometimes. We need others around us cheering us on to the finish line and correcting us when we stray off path. In fact Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us to not forsake meeting together with other believers but to admonish: warn, urge, and encourage one another. It also says to consider how we can stir one another up. The fact is that you need to be plugging yourself in with people that serve God right alongside of you. People that can spot the gifts and talents in you and become an encouragement to you. People that can warn you and hold you accountable when you begin to stray from God’s will for your life. If you are going to reap the full benefit of connecting with other believers in life, you are going to have to be willing to make your life more “see through”. To be willing to get real with some of the things you are dealing with. You are going to have to take off the mask.

 I am not saying that you just open yourself up to just anyone. You need to pray and ask God to surround you with mature Christians full of experience and wisdom that love Him. You need to plug yourself into a bible believing, bible teaching church; one that has leadership that encourages you to seek God for yourself. Ask God to plug you into a small group of people that you can trust to encourage you and hold you accountable to his will in your life.

Question: Who ARE you doing life with? What I see all too often is new Christians (and old ones for that matter) that share their most intimate parts of their life with friends that aren’t even serving or loving God. Or if they are, they are completely content staying at the level they are currently at and not interested in growing further in their pursuit of God. I see Christian women that are confiding in their unbelieving family and coworkers for advice. Many times the advice doesn’t line up with God’s plan or will and it just leaves that sweet Christian even more confused. I am challenging you to take a hard look at the people you continue to surround yourself with. Are they driving you towards God? Or away from him?

If you and I are going to be able to run towards God with perseverance we are going to have to be surrounded by people running just as fast towards him. There is something very powerful when people get equally yoked up. You just might have to do some rearranging in your life. I am not saying you just drop all your old friends like a bad habit. I am saying that God may want to do some weeding. Removing the weeds in your life and planting healthy seeds in their place. I can promise you that as you get connected with others loving and serving Jesus, it will be a fresh breath helping to revive your walk with God. I love you and want to see you know and love your God even more. He really is worth it.

 Hebrews 12:1-3 Message Bible:

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

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