24/365: Get Over That Barrier

Encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
~1 Thessalonians 5:11

Community is what makes our faith work. As we tackle our mountains, we fix the ropes, anchor the lines and provide a way for our brothers coming behind us.

While we all must make our own climb, we should never attempt to climb solo.

The most important thing you can do to build a strong faith - is connect to one another.

Don't climb solo. Keep encouraging each other. Reach back for your fallen brothers and accept help when it's offered.

GO DEEPER: Ecclesiastes 4: 7-12

NEXT STEP: Consider your journey right now. Solo or connected?

Jack

on 05/18/2023 at 03:14 PM

Heavily solo in the past and wasn’t until recently I am learning to come into a community of men. We share, learn, and encourage each other through our struggles. Amen.

Julian Martinez

on 01/24/2023 at 11:33 PM

Has been solo until here recently and am extremely grateful for the fellowship and connections being made. Looking forward to further growth with like minded men of Christ.

Kevin Miller

on 01/24/2023 at 07:05 PM

A small group is great. I’m helped a great deal by them. I pray those who don’t have a small group will find one soon.

Greg Nickel

on 01/24/2023 at 06:49 PM

My shortfall, I have work friends, once out of there no one to look to for accountability. I keep praying and looking, maybe not as hard as I could. Appreciate those that say praying for the likes of me.

Chris C

on 01/24/2023 at 06:33 PM

I agree with Omar. We all need Christian brothers that we can share and fellowship with. I have been in an online group now for nine years and I know I can share in confidence because we support and encourage one another. Praying that all of you men can find a group that you will grow to be comfortable with. Amen! 🙏

Omar A.

on 01/24/2023 at 04:48 PM

I’m praying for all you that don’t have a small group or a band of brothers. Seek them and you will find them, and if one group doesn’t feel right keep looking, don’t give up. If you’ve never been at a group meeting it’s similar to this. Picture all of us together talking through our problems, helping each other when needed, praying for each other. It’s a beautiful thing. Step out of your comfort zone, it’s the only way we grow. God bless you all! Thank you Lord for this group of brothers! We love You!

Will

on 01/24/2023 at 03:08 PM

I have always tried to do everything on my own. Everyday and in everything. I have focused my belief on never trusting anybody because I know I can get it done better. In my walk with God, I’m too afraid to connect because of it.

Bobby

on 01/24/2023 at 03:02 PM

Connected is my climb, but for some reason, there are times it feels like I'm alone. I have a great support system, but there are times I just need that person to just listen, so I can think out loud.

Jonas Woolbrigh

on 01/24/2023 at 02:43 PM

I find it really hard to take that first step in finding a small group. Really need one right now. Fear is the biggest obstacle. Prayers for the courage to step out of my shell.

Ashley Jarvis

on 01/24/2023 at 02:24 PM

I love this analogy of rock climbing a mountain. I realized something a couple months ago as I sat with my grandfather, watching him take some of his last breaths… He was about to finally reach the top of his mountain. I spent most of my life so far, thinking there were numerous mountains I must climb to find joy. A business one, a friendship one, family mountain… There’s truly only one, and there’s many resting cliffs along the way. What I needed to learn, was how to climb. Holding my Gpa’s hand, I reflected on how he’d been an example of scaling life gracefully, by being of service to all around him. Then I thought about all the men in my life who I knew had joy in their hearts, all had been servants to others needs before their own. Then I looked back at my life’s climb so far. There have been some great times elevating me, and all were in fellowship with others toward a common goal. And as for the times I slid and fell, I was climbing solo, focused only on my selfish desires. Brothers, reflecting on this great reading, I pray for each of us to open our eyes to those around us who may be hanging by a thread. That we seek to cling only to God’s will for us, helping others in their struggles, Amen 🙏🏻

Brandon Pembleton

on 01/24/2023 at 02:18 PM

Why fight solo? The enemy is not going to fight solo, oh no the evil one will send an absolute army to conquer me. By myself I will get worn down and defeated. But with fellowship and friendship in Christ and my brothers in spiritual arms we are a force for good that can not only withstand that assault but lead the counterattack to save other men who are pinned down under fire. I know I was once one of those guys pinned down by fire and stubborn oh so very stubborn that I can do it on my own because on my own no one can hurt me. At least that's what I thought but I forgot about me the most destructive force against me. Without my brothers keeping me in the fight, resupplying me, covering me and bounding up with me I'd be stuck behind that cover forever. With my brothers we can move and shoot back. Thank you God for the hardships that brought me to recovery and to the great expanse of your holy spirit. Together we all prosper. I love you God amen 🙏

Tim McDonnell

on 01/24/2023 at 02:13 PM

I am alive and sober because of fellowship with people like me. It's a "we" program focussing on helping others in every aspect of my life. Thank you Jesus for saving me.

RobN

on 01/24/2023 at 02:11 PM

I used to be in a Band of Brothers and we were tight. It saved my marriage, my family, and literally my life. I got together with one guy outside of Saturday morning meetings who was a retired CPO in the Navy. It was truly an "iron sharpening iron" experience. Being the chief of sinners that I am and stubborn as a mule, he helped kick my butt back to Jesus and my family. I wish I could find another Band of Brothers. I moved 6 hours away 2 years ago and wish I could find another Band if Brothers locally. Todays Scripture from Ecclesiastes reminded me of the deep connection I have been missing with other men. It makes a difference!

cyrilwins

on 01/24/2023 at 01:59 PM

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another psalms 27:17

Jeff Arnold

on 01/24/2023 at 01:55 PM

In this day and age of fast paced, shootings and people really not caring about others. It seems hard to drop your defensive ways to let people in, but that is the way the enemy wants it. When you are solo it is much easier to get beat down. We all need others to be there for us and we should be there for others. Pray that God helps bring others to have a brotherhood we all need. At times it will get really tough to not retreat into our private fortresses and shut people down. But every time we do that we let the enemy win and we loose a lot more than we ever realised. Let God bring those in to us and let us allow that to happen. God Bless and bring us all through our battles in this life,Amen

Boyce Moses

on 01/24/2023 at 01:36 PM

As each of us has had others help us, we need to help others. Our main job on earth is to help each other. Reach out in Christian fellowship and help those that need it. Love you Jesus! 🤎💜🧡💚

michael f vinning

on 01/24/2023 at 01:23 PM

I’ve been where all of you guys are at some point in life. Agreed that a band of brothers saved my life more than once, struggle like Tommy with walls from way back also so it’s the hardest thing for me to do is get close to others, and the season I’m in keeps me riding solo a good deal…young kids, sick wife, work…but praying this too shall pass and hope to be in another small band of brothers soon

Tommy Williamson

on 01/24/2023 at 12:56 PM

For me it is walls that I built around myself to protect from the pain, hurt, sorrow and bitterness from the abuse that I suffered early in life. At one point my goal in life was to become as emotionless as the Vulcans of Star Trek and I nearly made it until young lady that I worked with and had started dating wanted in deeper and started to chip away at them. Though most of those walls are gone now. The one wall that is there helps prevent me from getting yo close to anybody. I’ve had lots of friends. They have seldom been allowed beyond my inner fortress because in some ways I still don’t trust letting anybody get real close. So really there is nobody there to help me pull myself up when I need it. I have one brother here in the neighborhood that is trying to break through and he is s good Christian brother who has done a lot for me in the 22 months that we have lived here, but in some ways he is as unemotional as me given his job as a law enforcement officer. We have had our moments but both of us have that hard time connecting in that really close way. I think part of it is trust of other men because most of my pain and abuse came from guys that I looked up to and trusted.

Trent Cain

on 01/24/2023 at 12:22 PM

Dan, I am in the same boat. Working swing shift and working a lot of OT.

Robert McFaddin

on 01/24/2023 at 12:10 PM

I have a group of guys I meet with every other Saturday. They aren’t close friends though. We don’t do anything together outside of those meetings. They all attend the same church. I go to a different church - but not as consistent as I should.

joe meyers

on 01/24/2023 at 11:41 AM

Dan, a lot of churches actively encourage “small groups”. Outside of Sunday service, THE biggest thing that has helped me grow in my faith is my men’s group which meets on Saturday mornings. Five years now, couldn’t imagine my journey without my faith brothers. A lot of small groups meet in the evenings also. Might want to look into that. Praying for you, pal.

on 01/24/2023 at 11:17 AM

Dan, maybe there are people at work you can lift up and help. Maybe this is a sign to reach out to someone.

Eairrick Kinsey

on 01/24/2023 at 10:38 AM

Lord thank you for reminding me it’s not just about me, but others. As I continue walk my faith pleasing to you, please make me aware of those around me that I can help build up in their walk - Amen

Dan james

on 01/24/2023 at 08:43 AM

Mostly solo got a job am working all the time

24/365: Get Over That Barrier

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