ISOLATION EQUALS DEVASTATION

ECCLESIASTES 4:9-12 "TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE, BECAUSE THEY HAVE A GOOD RETURN FOR THEIR WORK: IF ONE FALLS DOWN, HIS FRIEND CAN HELP HIM UP. BUT PITY THE MAN WHO FALLS AND HAS NO ONE TO HELP HIM UP!...THOUGH ONE MAY BE OVERPOWERED, TWO CAN DEFEND THEMSELVES. A CORD OF THREE STRANDS IS NOT QUICKLY BROKEN."

This scripture and my above title should be self explanatory of what I'm trying to say, but let me elaborate.

Plenty of men want to fight their battles alone. This is one of the biggest mistakes you can ever make. Isolation is the first step toward devastation. Two are better than one. God has two (pun intended) much to say about this issue in his Word, lol.

At one time, Jesus gathered 70 anointed men (Luke 10:1) and sent them out in pairs not individually. There is power in numbers. That's why Jesus said if, "..If two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for , it will be done for you by my Father in heaven."

This is something I struggle with to this day. I have been on my own since I entered my teenage years and as a result I initially always try to go at things alone. I am discovering that this is a bad habit that must be broken in my life. I am not only trying to get support from God (which is always important) but we as men need support from those we trust around us. Let's learn to get help when needed, learn to get support, learn to trust someone. Get a friend, get a mentor, get a prayer partner.

SEE YOUR BATTLE AS PREPARATION TO PROMOTION!

JAMES 1:12- BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT ENDURETH TEMPTATION: FOR WHEN HE IS TRIED HE WILL RECIEVE THE CROWN OF LIFE, WHICH THE LORD HAS PROMISED TO THEM THAT LOVE HIM.

I have a friend that sent the following in an email that I want to use as a basis to encourage you today.

"I love the line in Transformers II that goes, "fate rarely calls upon us at the moment of our choosing..." It underscore the importance of preparation.... spiritual, mental, physical, emotional, and financial. More often than not, great opportunities (challenges) present themselves when it is least convenient for us. The average person doesn't recognize this as an opportunity. They see only hardship and hope for it to pass without much impact on them. They don't allow themselves to transform into the person they can be to deal and handle the situation. I've been taught to seek out the hardest problems for those who deal with them will reap the greatest rewards (finances are but a part of the rewards). Shower me with hardship for I get tougher and the can handle even more. I know larger rewards are attached to these harder problems. That's why I loved your message today. You prayed for wisdom. That is exactly what I seek. For through wisdom I can handle the greater challenges."

As a warrior in the Kingdom of God you must be prepared to fight. Warfare may appear to be an obstacle to you, however, God will use it to determine your next promotion.

Remember, Daniel was promoted ONLY AFTER the lion's den. Job received a double blessing ONLY AFTER his suffering. Joseph (one of my favorites) reached the palace and controlled Pharaoh's wealth ONLY AFTER he went in the pit and through the prison. And more importantly, Jesus was promoted and exalted ONLY AFTER he was nailed to the cross. Dont run from the battle and don't quit because of it. Stay around to receive your crown. Your Award Ceremony is ONLY AFTER!!

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