As Christians, We Need Community--Don't Navigate Life Alone! (Ecc. 4:7-12)

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Ecclesiastes 4:7-12

7 Again, I saw vanity under the sun: 8 one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business.
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Application

I remember when I was heading to South Korea for what I thought would be an experience of teaching and living in my own apartment for one year. Once I arrived and moved into my apartment, I was really excited. It was the first time I had ever lived by myself. The funny thing is that the school that I was going to work for hadn't been finished being built yet! I was in limbo for two weeks and living next door to an American guy who would be my coworker. However, after one week I was alone because I didn't have my family there and I didn't have a church yet. I was living in the city of Ulsan in 2003, where few people spoke English. I found out that my friend was raised a Christian, although he seemed like a nominal one at the time. I told him that if we don't find a church soon, then I am going to go crazy just because I feel so alone without any friends or a community. Thankfully, he went to a Korean church and found someone that spoke English and she told us there was an English service in the city! We started going to that church and the loneliness was gone!

Some people think they are street-smart and have the survival skills to endure the wilderness, go camping, and handle all of the wildlife. However, separating ourselves from the community is a sure way to fail. The wise author of Ecclesiastes (Solomon) said, "Two are better than one, because...one can help the other up" (4:9-10). Even with all of the messiness of sinners in the community, a Christ-honoring community is essential to thrive in life. We don't stand a chance against the trials and tribulations in this world if we try to tackle all of our problems on our own. Solomon said that someone who toils alone toils in vain (verse 8). Without community, we're more susceptible to danger (verses 11-12). The gift of a loving, Christ-focused community is one that not only provides encouragement but also gives us strength to thrive despite challenging situations. We need each other!

Reflect 

How can you commit to spending time with the family of believers? Who around you is isolated and in need? 

Pray

Father, thank you for the gift of community. We know that are are made to edify and encourage each other and not navigate this life alone.  Put it on my heart and let me know if there's someone that needs care right now. Maybe it's a phone call, a text, or asking if they need to get together for dinner. Please put this person in my heart. In your name, I pray, Amen.

Scott Worden (The L.A./Seoul Guy)

Instagram: l.a.seoulguy

View from Gateway Seminary after Huge Rainstorm

One week after a huge rainstorm that battered Southern California, which included 14 inches in the San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys as well as 475 mudslides, the weather is beautiful and the mountains are dusted with snow.

If you want to go to the mountains and head for Lake Arrowhead or Big Bear, you will need chains this week. But most of us will just enjoy the sun and seeing the snow from a distance!

Scott Worden (The L.A. Seoul/Guy)

Instagram: l.a.seoulguy

Uber Riders: If you Smell like Weed, Don't Expect a 5-Star Rating

 Listen to my story of when I had three people in my car between the ages of 19-25 get into my car smelling like they spent the whole day at a marijuana dispensary. I also have advice to both Uber drivers and Uber riders when this stuff happens:

Scott Worden (The L.A./Seoul Guy)

Instagram: l.a.seoulguy

Uber Drivers: Watch out for scammers!

I have been an Uber driver for over a year and most of my riders are pretty cool. But there are times when I thought to myself, "Wow, I really should've _____ " or "I really shouldn't have _______." One of those times happened recently when a rider wanted me to take them back to their home because he was too lazy to call another Uber. This required him to pay me upfront via cash or via Zelle or Venmo. Listen to my story on YouTube as to what mistake I made even though I was very careful:

Scott Worden (The L.A./Seoul Guy)

Instagram: l.a.seoulguy

Laguna Beach: My Favorite Beach in Southern California

 

Yes, Laguna Beach can get very congested on weekends and yes, trying to find parking can be quite the chore if you happen to arrive there at one in the afternoon on Saturday. But if you get there early enough, you will find a few good reasons to stay. There are some great art galleries that will inspire your creative side, good places to eat at in the heart of Laguna Beach, and some walking trails that are near the coastline just north of the center of Laguna.

 But the best part of Laguna Beach is the sunsets!

My wife and I arrived at 4:30pm on Sunday when most people were going home. We parked on a side street and walked two blocks down to the beach and we weren’t disappointed! God is an amazing artist!

Scott Worden (The L.A./Seoul Guy)

Instagram: l.a.seoulguy

Devotional: Proverbs 2:1-11

 

Store up God’s word in your heart

Do you long to know God better? Would you like to be wiser, more skillful and to have more knowledge and understanding?

Make a lifelong, daily habit of reading God’s word. The writer of Proverbs urges, ‘store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding… For wisdom will enter your heart’ (vv.1–2,10).

1. What do you need to do?
   ‘Store up’ God’s words within you (v.1). You need to ‘accept’ (v.1), listen and apply (v.2), ‘call out’ (v.3) and ‘search’ (v.4). ‘Searching for it like a prospector panning for gold, like an adventurer on a treasure hunt’ (v.4, MSG). This takes time and commitment. Don’t just prioritise your schedule; schedule your priorities. Set aside a regular time to read the Bible and schedule it as a top priority.

2. What does God promise if you do this?
   You will ‘find the knowledge of God’ (v.5). ‘God gives out Wisdom free’ (v.6, MSG). Because of God’s character he ‘gives wisdom’ and ‘understanding’ (v.6), ‘victory’ (v.7), protection (v.8) and ‘discretion’ (v.11). He promises that God will ‘keep his eye on’ you (v.8, MSG) and ‘protect you, and… guard you’ (vv.8,11).

Lord, help me to continue to spend time with you each day and to apply the teachings of the Bible to my life.

Devotional Courtesy of: YouVerse Bible App

Photo Credit: David Mathis of desiringGod.org

Scott Worden

Instagram: l.a.seoulguy