People Need People

“People… people who need people are the luckiest people in the world." These are the words to a song Barbara Streistand recorded 60 years ago.  She was spot on, even though I would have phrased it differently.  I like the poem by John Donne: “No man is and island.”  (see footnote #1.)

Hebrews 10:24-25 says: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing…”

Not giving up meeting together.

The phrasing in the original Greek is stronger than it comes across in English. We should ‘not abandon’ doing so—not only should we not abandon the gatherings themselves, but we should not abandon the community of faith! 

In our highly individualistic world, this is easy to do. It’s convenient to make faith about ‘me and Jesus’ and turn a blind eye to what the Bible says about journeying with other believers in the church God established.

As I say this, I should point out that there are times when factors preclude some from gathering, like illness or mobility challenges. But when and where we are able, we should not forsake the community. 

1 Corinthians 12 speaks of the church as the “body of Christ.” Think of a body and what it can do. Now think of an ear or a left thumb totally detached, sitting there by itself.

When and where you’re able, don’t give up meeting together. It’s tempting. Community is easy to say and hard to do. But you enrich the community of faith; and the community of faith enriches you.

“As iron sharpens iron, so a man shaprens the counteance of his friendl." —Proverbs 27:17 

Have you ever wondered about the people in your life? Why some are a blessing, and some are…not?

As God is transforming and renewing our lives, He is engraving the character of His Son into our lives, and the engraving tools often come in the form of people.

And what sharp tools they can be!

We know certain individuals—family, friends, teachers, neighbors— who either bless us or bring us heartache and turmoil. Either way, they are part of God’s plan for our lives.

“All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose,” Romans 8:28 promises. “All things” includes the people who cross our paths.

David, the king of ancient Israel and beloved Psalmist, had numerous influences to help him become who the Lord called “a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do” (Acts 13:22).

Three, in particular, shaped his life.

Everyone needs a Samuel in their lives: An older, wiser person, filled with the Spirit, anointed in following God’s leading, and able to see something in you that no one else can quite fathom. Samuel prayed, listened to the Lord, and knew David, the shepherd boy, was the chosen king, even though his youth and circumstances said otherwise.

Then there was Saul. We probably all need a Saul in our lives as well.

Without Saul, David could not have become the king that he was.

Saul was alternately a friend and an enemy, more often an enemy. Driven by jealousy and insecurity, he made David’s life miserable. Saul drove David into exile. Forced to live by faith and wits as a fugitive in the wilderness, David hid and lived in dark caves and learned to cope with fear, failure, depression, and betrayal. God used all of it to shape and build his character.

If we are truly fortunate, we will also be blessed with a Jonathan in our lives. Jonathan was that rare and priceless friend.

If a Saul sharpens your life, makes you wiser, wary, and shrewder, a Jonathan brings balance through love, commitment, loyalty, and trust. A Jonathan can be a trusted friend, brother, sister, or spouse.

God handpicked three people to build character in His chosen servant.

We might look at the people in our lives differently if we realize they are part of God’s plan, a vital part of His work in our lives.

“We have a responsibility to influence the people in our lives to be the best possible people they can be: ‘Therefore encourage one another and build each other up’” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). —Henry Cloud, John Townsend

Lord, thank you for the people you have put in our lives.  We pray peace, helath and joy for them. May we fully appreciate them and bless them, and may we be a blessing to them... all for your glory and honor, but also for the good of the family of God.

Weekly Schedule @ Faith Fellowship:

Wed. @ 7 PM Prayer Meeting / Fri. @ 7 PM Prayer for our Nation

Sat. @ 7 AM Men’s Bible & Breakfast / Sun. 9 AM: Sunday School / 10 AM Worship

Faith Fellowship -Our Forever Family, 2597 State Hwy 35, Luck, WI

Ken Mettler, Pastor (715) 475-7666

PS

Do you attend Sunday School?  Are you in a Bible study group?  If not, there are opportunities at church and in small groups.  For instance, on Tuesdays at our house several ladies meet for Bible study. If you want to be in a Bible study, please let us know.  We will be glad to plug you in and get you going.  People need people.

Also...

We are thankful for Lee Elmer, John and Linda Iwasczo, Lindsay Christianson and Steve Sylvester who bless us by leading our music on Sunday mornings.

1. John Donne's poem goes like this:

No man is an island, 

Entire of itself, 

Every man is a piece of the continent, 

A part of the main. 

If a clod be washed away by the sea, 

Europe is the less. 

As well as if a promontory were. 

As well as if a manor of thy friend’s 

Or of thine own were: 

Any man’s death diminishes me, 

Because I am involved in mankind, 

And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; 

It tolls for thee.