“Iron Sharpens Iron”

Proverbs 27:17 NLT

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. KJV

Countenance:

-appearance, especially the look or expression of the face:

-calm facial expression; composure.

-approval or favor; encouragement; moral support.

Hebrews 10:24 NLT

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

We don’t think about motivating others unless we have a close family member or an extremely close friend. 

At this time in our lives, if we can continue to do this much for someone we care about, it is better than doing nothing. There are others who will give encouragement to people without the need to know them. 

It should be for your spouse too. Do not become stagnant in your relationship that you two cannot build one another up.

A person’s struggle may be in the area that you are familiar with and you can give them positive feedback that is helpful.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NLT

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 

Ecclesiastes 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

Let me point out that in being there for the other person, the best way to help them through their struggles is by being honest with them. 

Your friendship with may be one of longevity and it is a given that you and your friend or friends are honest with each other. 

For the friend or person you do not have longevity with. Honesty is still needed and important. Be gentle, but by all means by honest. 

You will not do them any favors by trying to make them feel good with compliments if there are real issues present.

🌟Be more concerned with what God thinks of you. 

It is important to some people to make a good impression on others. You want to be known as a great person, strong, intelligent, the best there is.

Be careful, it is self worship. People can admire you and your accomplishments, and you can admire them. 

Ensure though, that all of the things you do are genuine and if they are then great. A humble spirit should be found in you.

You Have Knowledge, Use It.

🌟If the Lord has not given you anything new, it is possible that he is waiting on you to work on what you currently know., but have made no move to improve.

We know areas of our lives that need work. We don’t advance when we 

lack spiritual maturity, initiative, and respect of self, the path we are on feels stagnant, bumpy. Pot holes.

However, when we move forward with building, repair, and perfecting what we currently have and applying the knowledge we have toward self improvement, we will see a difference and it is a good feeling.

One of our greatest missteps in life is wanting greater responsibility from God. When we haven’t worked on areas of our lives he has pointed out. 

We lack self discipline, self control, self confidence, and spiritual maturity.  

We often fail to realize it takes effort. We may not want to apply effort to our current situation because we are tired of being in it. 

But why should God give us new endeavors when we lack the discipline to complete the current ones. That gave lingered for a couple of years?

The knowledge he has given us to complete our tasks should simply be applied. There is no time like the present. 

We need to complete the project because he often builds on what we are working on that will take us to the next phase.  Don’t jump ahead of what he has assigned you to do.

Do you k know how  many years we waste because we try to make things happen that we aren’t equipped for? It is a stagnant state to be in. Start where you left off and get busy with putting in the work. 

He isn’t going to give you what you are not ready for. People with their own agendas jumping ahead of God and putting themselves in positions God has not called them to be in. 

Stop the madness. 

Thought Process 

🌟Something to hold on to and keep in your heart.  The messages you receive regarding A holy life, let it go beyond what you hear right now as you listen to this podcast.

Entertain thoughts of:

-what is the right thing to do?

-speaking of thoughts, as they pop in your mind, examine your thoughts.

-we often say, “hold that thought”.

do that, literally. 

It will be the difference between speaking what you think or acting on what you think versus not doing it. And not doing it could break the cycle of a repetitive sin.

-remove the thought if you know it is a wrong one.

If each of us do this exercise daily, it is a healthy and effective method of weighing our thoughts and striving to live right.

There is a lot that goes on in our mind. It will be interesting how much stuff we can get rid of by choosing to do what is right. Even in our thoughts.

Ecclesiastes 10:10 NLT

Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That's the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.

James 1:5 NLT

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

We don’t have to walk without wisdom. Read proverbs and ingest it the wisdom of God’s inspired word.

My closing prayer:

Lord, let us pray for wisdom as we pray for our needs and desires. As we strive to improve our lives, allow truth to come your way our spirit and hearts. It is a growing process, but maturity comes with truth and I pray we receive it. In the name of Jesus. Amen.