Keep the Fire Burning

Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

There won’t be many more campfires this summer!” Mom said as she put down an armload of logs. “But fall is a lot of fun too.”

Jase nodded. “I’m going to try out for the football team.” He glanced at his sister. “And Gwen gets to start going to youth group this year.”

Gwen shrugged. “I’m not sure I want to go,” she said. “Do I have to?”

“Why wouldn’t you want to go?” asked Mom. “It’s a good place to develop close friendships with other Christians.”

“Yeah, but since we moved here, I haven’t gotten to know any of the church kids very well yet,” Gwen said. “Besides, do my friends have to be Christians to be good friends?”

“Of course not,” Dad said as he carefully piled logs on the fire, “but there’s something special about having Christian friends.” He looked at the logs he had just stacked and then knocked them apart with a stick.

“Those logs aren’t going to burn well like that,” said Gwen. “One of the first things you taught us about building fires was to place them against each other.”

“Do you remember why?” asked Dad.

“Because that way they create more heat and keep each other burning,” replied Gwen.

“Right,” said Dad. “Did you know that Christians are like logs? On our own, without the encouragement of other Christians, it’s harder to keep burning for Jesus. When cold winds blow, the warmth of close Christian fellowship reminds us of God’s love for us and encourages us in our faith.”

“What do you mean by cold winds?” Gwen asked.

“Oh, things like sickness, losing a loved one, or feeling pressure to do things that are wrong,” said Dad. “When you’re faced with trials and temptations, won’t it be helpful to have friends who will pray for you and encourage you?”

“Okay,” said Gwen, “I’ll give youth group a try for two reasons.”

“What are they?” asked Dad.

“One is that I know you’re right about needing Christian friends,” replied Gwen. She grinned. “And the other is that I know you’ll make me go anyway!” Heather M. Tekavec

How About You?

Do you have Christian friends you can share your joys and troubles with? You can have friends who aren’t Christians too, but your best times of fellowship will come with those who know the Lord. When things get tough, Christian friends can encourage you in your walk with Jesus—and you can encourage them in their faith too.

Today’s Key Verse:
Hebrews 10:24 Let us help each other to love others and to do good.(NLV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Spend time with Christian friends