I could feel the perspiration on my hands as I gently sealed the envelope containing my letter of resignation. I was giving two weeks’ notice at my job, but I still had significant financial matters to settle, including a car to sell, before entering the leadership training program The Way Ministry provides, The Way Corps. Thinking about all the things I needed to accomplish was a little overwhelming. One minute I was tempted to think I would fail, and the next minute I was excited about how God would meet my need. I continued to hold on to God’s promises, but I knew I needed help from someone who would believe with me.
That evening, after our household fellowship meeting, a couple of disciples asked if they could help me prepare for my training. I immediately said, “Yes!” Over the next two weeks I prayed with those wonderful disciples every day, and their words and believing action encouraged me. We put together a major garage sale and located a buyer for my car. By the end of the two weeks, I was free of all my financial responsibilities and set up to successfully move ahead with my plans. Their encouragement strengthened my believing, and I received the benefits of our believing together. There are other occasions when I have benefited from the believing support of disciples, and I have had the privilege of providing that same support also.
Having the collective believing of other disciples can be a source of inspiration and can help fortify our believing when faced with challenges in life. We will look at some of the benefits of having the support of fellow believers who will encourage and inspire us to continue claiming God’s promises until we receive the prevailing results.
One benefit of collective believing is that it gives us a godly advantage—we do not have to face challenges alone. At times our own efforts are not enough to break through situations. Then we need the believing support of fellow disciples who will help us strengthen our resolve to prevail.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 and 10:
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
We do not need to shoulder circumstances alone. Two are better than one. When we first confessed with our mouths the Lord Jesus and believed in our hearts that God raised him from the dead, we became born-again believers, members in particular of the Body of Christ. God’s desire is that we function together and draw upon each other’s strengths and abilities.
Romans 12:5 [The Amplified Bible]:
So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another].
God has designed for this Body to work together; therefore, we mutually rely on each other for support. We look for ways to encourage, exhort, and uplift each other.
Romans 14:19:
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
The word “edify” in Greek is related to the verb oikodomeō, which means to build up and establish. Edification is the act of one who promotes another’s growth. As functioning members of the Body of Christ, we promote or assist in each other’s growth when we help disciples overcome obstacles.
Another advantage of having the collective believing of other disciples is that the results and the blessings are magnified. Not only is God at work within us when we have a need, but He is also at work in the hearts and lives of those who come to our aid and lend their support.
Psalms 54:4:
Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.
When we uphold one another, we give support to each other, keep each other elevated, or lift up one another. In teaming up with like-minded disciples, we help to elevate each other’s believing. As a result, the believing is multiplied in intensity and quality, and we can have a tremendous impact.
Matthew 18:19:
Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
The impact of two believing together is clearly a benefit. Our ministry publication Outreach Strategies of Jesus Christ says, “The believing energy of two who agree enables believers to ‘run through a troop and leap over a wall’ when witnessing, ministering, and moving God’s Word in all other ways.”
In chapter 9 of the Book of Acts, we see an example of the believing energy of the disciples in Joppa in the record of Peter raising Dorcas from the dead. Dorcas, who was also called Tabitha, was a wonderful disciple who lived in Joppa and abundantly shared of her time and resources with the believers in her local area. It came to pass in those days that Dorcas became sick and died. However, the disciples loved Dorcas and believed she should live. They took action by sending for Peter, who was ministering in Lydda, which was about ten miles southeast of Joppa. Perhaps the disciples had heard of the recent healing of Aeneas that had taken place in Lydda (Acts 9:32-35)….
This is an excerpt from the July/August 2006 issue of The Way Magazine.
Copyright© 2006 by The Way International. All rights reserved.
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