YOU NEED A PARTNER!: OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL, 22ND JULY 2018

MEMORISE:

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. Ecclesiastes 4:9

READ: Genesis 2:18-25

18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

MESSAGE

Partnership or friendship involves a deep, strong connection between two individuals who are bound together in a way that affects every aspect of their individual lives. It is a close relationship that involves mutual trust, fellowship, sharing and companionship.

Friendship enriches human life. The mutual affection and devotion that David and Jonathan shared with each other was extraordinary, and it is a prime example of what friendship of partnership is (1 Samuel 18:1-4). A friend or partner is a person you feel connected to like your own soul.

The Bible discuses the benefits and requirement of friendship or partnership in Proverbs 18:24, while it stresses loyalty and steadfastness as hallmarks of true friendship in Proverbs 17:17, which says:

 “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

In Ecclesiastes 4:8-12, the Holy Spirit explains the dangers of being a lone ranger and the benefits of partnership. This passage of scripture states clearly that two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor.

If they should slip on any issue, they will console and help each with an adversary, the two will put up a more formidable defense, and they stand a better chance of surviving the enemy’s attack together than as individual entities.

The Holy Spirit also reveals some more truths about friendship and partnership in Proverbs 19:4 & 6, saying:

“Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.  Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.”

The wise will keep these truths to heart. Many Christians in the business world would have done better with godly partners, but they are running their business alone because they feel that introducing partners will increase their overhead and reduce their profits.

The position of the Bible on this is that a right partner will help to increase production and push up profit margins. For example, the great catch of fish in Luke 5:6-7 would have been wasted without the involvement and assistance of partners. The advantages of partnership cannot be overemphasized, even though some people are in a friendly relationship for personal gain.

Nevertheless, God wants His children to prayerfully identify, acknowledge and appreciate His talents and special gifts in others. More importantly, He wants us to harness His wonderful investments together in our lives for maximum profit in all that he has destined us to do. The Lord’s declaration in Matthew 18:19 encourages us to work together to achieve greatness that would otherwise be impossible.

Begin to harness the power of this word from today.

PRAYER POINT:

Father, please connect me with partners that will lead to greater productivity and efficiency in my life, in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezra 4-6 Matthew 5:43-6:15

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE

HYMN 4:  TRUST AND OBEY.

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

o Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.