One of the things that Pam and I have learned over the years is that friendship really does make life better. Last week one of our neighbors dropped by and brought us a dozen and a half blue crabs that they had already steamed. What a blessing! Pam and I have many friends that have lasted a lifetime and we continue to make new friends. Have you ever been in a low place in your life and someone reached out to help you? It can be life-changing. In fact, friendship can even be life-saving! Today, let’s consider the power of relationships as we listen to passages from both the Old and New Testaments: 

And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. (1 Samuel 30:6) 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are already doing. (1 Thess. 5:11) 

These two passages, when taken together, help us to see something about faith and relationships. First, when our faith is flagging, you and I can strengthen ourselves. Today’s first verse says, “David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” Second, we learn that we don’t have to do it all by ourselves. Paul writes to the congregation in Thessalonica, telling them to “encourage one another and build each other up.” One of the many blessings of friendship is that we can be a source of strength to others and they can be a source of strength to us. When our friends’ faith is weak we can tell them, “You don’t have to be strong today; I’ll be strong for you.” Today, do you know someone who is going through a difficult time? Let me encourage you to encourage that person and build them up. God has given you and me the power to change the lives of people around us and make life better for them.  

Today, be a gift from God to your friends…and when you do, that’s always very Good News!