“Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” (Phil. 2:4 NIV)

There is a surprisingly simple formula for happiness: help others.

Helping others does at least two immediate things:

·      First, you feel good because you are helping someone.

·      Second, they feel good because they are being helped. It’s a win–win situation.

Helping others reduces stress, increases joy, and creates a sense of peace and purpose.

 Kindness is contagious. When we see others do good, it inspires us to do good too.

Fulfill the law of Christ

But the main reason we help others isn’t because it benefits us. We do it because God tells us to.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal. 6:2)

When you help others, you are serving Christ Himself

“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matt. 25:40)

Therefore

Look for someone to help today. Real joy doesn’t come from focusing on yourself—it comes from loving and serving others.

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matt. 6:14–15)

Two Promises

This passage of Scripture has two promises: one is positive, and one is negative. The one you receive depends totally on you. It has to do with forgiving others who have sinned against you. If you do forgive them, your Heavenly Father will forgive you (positive). If you do not forgive them, your Heavenly Father will not forgive you (negative).

Finding it hard or impossible to forgive someone?

One of the most difficult things a Christian will face is offering genuine forgiveness to those who have deeply hurt us. I love the story of Corrie Ten Boom’s encounter with the forgiving love of Jesus in her amazing book The Hiding Place.

Corrie Ten Boom worked against the Nazis in World War Two hiding Jews in her home. When she was caught, she was sent to a concentration camp where she was stripped of her dignity, saw her father and her sister (Betsie) die, and suffered more at the hands of other people than we could possibly imagine. This is precisely why her encounter with forgiveness is so memorable:

“It was at a church service in Munich that I saw him, the former S.S. man who had stood guard at the shower door in the processing center at Ravensbruck. He was the first of our actual jailers that I had seen since that time. And suddenly it was all there – the roomful of mocking men, the heaps of clothing, Betsie’s pain-blanched face.

He came up to me as the church was emptying, beaming and bowing. ‘How grateful I am for your message, Fraulein.’ He said. ‘To think that, as you say, He has washed my sins away!’

His hand was thrust out to shake mine. And I, who preached so often to the people in Bloemendaal the need to forgive, kept my hand at my side.

Even as the angry, vengeful thoughts boiled through me, I saw the sin of them. Jesus Christ had died for this man; was I going to ask for more? Lord Jesus, I prayed, forgive me and help me to forgive him.

I tried to smile, I struggled to raise my hand. I could not. I felt nothing, not the slightest spark of warmth or charity. And so again I breathed a silent prayer. Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me your forgiveness.

As I took his hand the most incredible thing happened. From my shoulder along my arm and through my hand a current seemed to pass from me to him, while into my heart sprang a love for this stranger that almost overwhelmed me.

And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world’s healing hinges, but on his. When he tells us to love our enemies, He gives, along with the command, the love itself.”

Therefore

It’s a very simple concept. Forgiveness is a choice you choose to make, and non-forgiveness is also a choice you choose to make. Choose wisely!

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” — C. S. Lewis

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

This verse tells us three important promises about God.

1) He is our refuge (a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble).

2) He is our strength (the quality or state of being strong, in particular).

3) He is our ever-present help in the time of trouble (assist, aid, lend a helping hand to, give assistance to, come to the aid of).

Therefore

Because God is our refuge, our strength, and our ever-present help in trouble, we can stand firm without fear, confidently trusting Him in every circumstance and running to Him—not away from Him—when difficulties arise.

“For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance.” (Matt. 13:12)

We serve a God who supplies more than enough! In fact, one verse says it is, “a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over!” (Luke 6:38)

God Gives You the Power to Get Wealth!

“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…” (Deut. 8:18)

Notice that this verse says it is God who gives you the “power to get wealth.” He doesn’t simply drop it out of the sky for you. You have a part in getting it.

You Must “Remember the Lord Your God”

Include God and put Him first in every part of the process (Matt. 6:33). Ask Him for wisdom and knowledge so that you will know what to do to obtain it (Matt. 7:7). He will give you productive ideas, talents, personal skills, gifts, and opportunities that will help you.

You must look for them, recognize them, develop them, and put them to work!

Keep in mind that even though God promises to supply all your needs (Phil. 4:19), it is usually disguised as work!

Therefore

Work hard with a good attitude, as though you are working for the Lord. After all, everything you need will come from Him!

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Col. 3:23–24)

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Cor. 15:58)

Your labor in the Lord is not in vain!

Sometimes it can be tiring “doing the right thing,” especially when so many others around you are not. It’s no longer popular to live according to God’s standards. But you may be surprised to know that it is not a new problem. Elijah complained to the Lord, “I am the only one who has remained faithful!” (1 Kings 19:10). But God told him that He was incorrect. He told him that 7,000 others also had remained faithful. That information must have been encouraging for Elijah to hear.

It’s true! God has lots of faithful followers!

You are not alone! So, be encouraged and don’t quit!

Therefore

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9)

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

When I was a teenager, I spent a couple of wonderful Alaskan summers commercial fishing and living with Joe Redington, Sr., and his family. Those summers were Alaska at its best!

A Note on the Door

It began when I came home from the last day of school and found a note on the door telling me my parents had moved to California! They told me to go to Emard Cannery in Anchorage to meet Joe Redington. Working with Joe was a great experience and a privilege. Joe is an Alaskan legend and the “father” of the Iditarod dogsled races. I helped him feed his dogs and loved watching him practice dog sledding—even in the summertime—with sleds equipped with wheels!

Joe Was a Great Mentor to Me and Taught Me a Lot

He and his family lived in a big house next to Flathorn Lake, completely off the grid—no electricity, no running water, no indoor plumbing—but we didn’t miss any of it! We collected seagull eggs and hunted and fished. I helped him deliver groceries and supplies to folks out in the wilderness. On long Alaskan summer days, we commercial fished in Cook Inlet until we had a full load of salmon. Then we made the long twelve-hour trip to Emard Cannery in Anchorage to deliver our load.

I Lost My Footing

One day, when we had a big load of fish and were about halfway across Cook Inlet, we stopped for a rest and dropped anchor. Joe went below to take a nap, and I was alone topsides. Part of my job was to keep the fish from drying out, so I hauled up seawater with a bucket on a rope. This time, as soon as I lowered the bucket over the edge into the water, it filled up—but I lost my footing, and the weight of it pulled me overboard!

My hip boots instantly filled with water and dragged me down even more. My boots stuck to my legs, and I couldn’t get them off. I couldn’t swim with them on! I was quickly running out of air.

Then I felt something grab me by the top of my hood and pull me up to the surface—and then back onto the boat! It was Joe! Joe told me he had just awakened from his nap. He came onto the deck just in time to see me disappear under the water. He was able to grab the gaff pole to reach for me. It was miraculous that he came on deck at exactly the moment he did and was able to snag the top of my hood. It was a miracle!

God Is the God of Perfect Timing!

“God sends angels to minister to those who will be heirs of salvation.” (Hebrews 1:14)

“My times are in Your hands—deliver me…” (Psalm 31:15)

“You are my hiding place; You will preserve me from trouble.” (Psalm 32:7a)

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2 ESV)

God never asks us to carry life alone

One of His greatest gifts is friendship—people who step in when the load is heavy. When friends help carry burdens, they are not just being kind; they are living out the law of Christ, the law of love.

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” (Psalm 68:19 NIV)

We help others because He helps us!

Before anyone ever helps us, God does. Daily—not occasionally—He carries what we cannot. Our willingness to help others flows from the grace we ourselves receive from Him.

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4 ESV)

True friends lift their eyes off themselves. They notice needs, listen carefully, and step in without being asked. They strive to encourage, respect, and serve one another with sincere zeal.

Therefore

Be the kind of friend who lightens the load. Look for someone whose burden you can help carry today, remembering that as you do, you reflect the heart of the God who daily bears yours.

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10–11 ESV)

“Two better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 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! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Eccles. 4:9-12 ESV)

God designed us for relationship, not isolation

Life’s work is more rewarding, and its burdens are lighter, when shared with others. When one person stumbles, a friend is there to lift him up. When conditions grow cold or difficult, companionship brings warmth, protection, and endurance. Unity multiplies strength, while isolation leaves a person vulnerable.

Friendship becomes even stronger when it is centered on Christ

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matt.18:20 ESV)

When believers gather in His name, Jesus Himself is present among them. His presence transforms ordinary relationships into sources of encouragement, accountability, and spiritual growth.

True friends do more than comfort — they refine one another

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Prov. 27:17 ESV)

Just as iron sharpens iron, godly friendships help shape our character, deepen our faith, and strengthen our walk with God.

Jesus calls us friends

Most remarkably, Jesus does not keep His followers at a distance. He calls us friends. He shares His heart with us, reveals the Father’s will, and invites us into close relationship with Him.

“No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15 ESV)

The greatest expression of friendship is sacrificial love

Jesus demonstrated that love fully by laying down His life for His friends — a love without equal and a model for how we are to love one another.

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13 ESV)

Therefore

Value the friendships God has given you. Walk in unity, invest in godly relationships, and be a friend who strengthens, sharpens, and stands firm in times of need. Above all, remember that Jesus Himself is your closest and greatest Friend.

“A friend loves at all times,” (Prov. 17:17a ESV)

“Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.” (Prov. 27:9 ESV)

True friendship brings joy to the heart. Just as fragrance lifts the spirit, wise and loving counsel from a sincere friend refreshes the soul.

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” (Psalm 133:1 ESV)

God delights in unity. Friendship rooted in Him creates peace, strength, and a shared sense of purpose.

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Prov. 17:17 ESV)

Real friends remain constant—especially when life is hard. They don’t disappear in adversity; they step closer.

Grateful hearts recognize that godly friendships are gifts from God and partnerships in His work.

Therefore

Thank God regularly for the friends He has placed in your life. Treasure them, pray for them, and be the kind of friend who brings sweetness, unity, and faithful love to others.

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” (Phil. 1:3–5 ESV)