Manna for Your Morning

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. — 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (NIV) When you are experiencing troubles of any kind or feeling greatly pressured, it's an opportunity to put your trust in God. Cast all your cares on Him and rely on Him to show you the way out or through. The Message Bible says: As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead! And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he’ll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing. (2 Corinthians 1:9-10 MSG)

and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, — Hebrews 10:24 (AMP) A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity (Proverbs 17:17 NIV).  But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). Be that friend. The New Living Bible says: Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony . (Colossians 3:13-14 NLT)

Two people are better than one because together they have a good reward for their hard work. If one falls, the other can help his friend get up. But how tragic it is for the one who is all alone when he falls. There is no one to help him get up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (GW) Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed (Ecclesiastes 4:9, NLT). David's relationship with Jonathan is a perfect example of friendship in the Word. First Samuel 18:1 says,  Jonathan became David’s closest friend. He loved David as much as he loved himself. Be a friend who loves at all times and sticks closer than a brother.