NETWORKING

Ephesians 4:16 “Each part…helps the other parts grow.”
Next time you’re walking in the woods, imagine what’s taking place under your feet. As the roots of trees come into contact with one another they form an underground support system. One has access to water, another to nutrients, another to sunlight, etc. A networking is taking place that strengthens them all.
This is what Paul had in mind: “[Under His direction], the whole body is fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”
As we network, we must be conscious of the following:
(1) Mercy. “Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (Col 3:13). What motivates us to show mercy to others? God’s mercy to us. You’ll never be asked to forgive someone else more than God has already forgiven you.
(2) Understanding. “Be sympathetic …kind…gentle and patient” (Col 3:12). Sympathy meets two fundamental human needs we all have: the need to be understood and the need to have our feelings validated. The problem is we’re in such a hurry to fix people that we don’t have time to sympathize with them. We’re too preoccupied with our own hurts. Self-pity dries up sympathy for others.
(3) Encouragement. “I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you” (Ro 1:12). All of us are strengthened in our faith when others walk with us and encourage us.
So today, practice networking!


QUOTES
Desire, ask, believe, receive. -Stella Terrill Mann

Whatever God's dream about man may be, it seems certain it cannot come true unless man cooperates. -Stella Terrill Mann

If you think you can win, you can win. Faith is necessary to victory. -William Hazlit

Hope doesn't come from calculating whether the good news is winning out over the bad. It's simply a choice to take action. -Anna Lappe

Hope is the thing with feathersThat perches in the soul.And sings the tuneWithout the words,and never stops at all. -Emily Dickinson



The Lord is good all the time!