“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)

“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” (James 1:26 ESV)

Let your words be acceptable

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14 ESV)

Our words reveal what truly rules our hearts. Before speech ever reaches the mouth, it is shaped in the mind and heart. God desires both to be pleasing to Him.

A gentle tongue gives life

“A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” (Prov. 15:4 ESV)

Words can heal or harm. A gentle, restrained tongue brings encouragement, peace, and life—while careless or harsh speech wounds deeply.

Small tongue. Massive impact

“So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things… How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!” (James 3:5 ESV)

Like a bit in a horse’s mouth or a rudder on a ship, the tongue—though small—directs the course of an entire life. Uncontrolled words can destroy far more than we ever intend.

Choose words wisely

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” (Prov. 25:11 ESV)

Right words, spoken at the right time, in the right spirit, carry lasting value and beauty.

Therefore

If our faith is genuine, it will be evident in how we speak. Ask God daily to guard your mouth, soften your tone, and align your words with His heart—because a bridled tongue reflects a surrendered life.

“Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. (Prov. 13:3 ESV)

God declares you to be righteous—with many wonderful added benefits!

The President of the united states can give a full pardon to a long-time prisoner. He will be set free and his criminal record will be expunged as though it never existed. His slate will be completely clean. He becomes a free man with a new beginning.

This is a picture of what happens when a person becomes “born again,” as stated in the Bible in John 3:3 and 1 Peter 1:23.

A New Creation

The Bible says it very clearly this way:

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17)

Declared Righteous

At the moment a person becomes “born again,” God completely forgives their past! He no longer remembers their sins as though they never happened. He then declares them to be a righteous person!

“Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:1)

“Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life! And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (Rom. 5:9-11)

Benefits for the Righteous

There are wonderful benefits for the righteous in the form of God’s promises! Look at what the Bible says about the righteous person:

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.’” (Psalm 92:12-15)

They will

·      Flourish like a palm tree

·      Grow like a cedar of Lebanon

·      Be planted in the house of the Lord

·      Flourish in he courts of our God

·      Bear fruit in old age

·      Stay fresh

·      Stay green

·      Proclaim great truths about the Lord:

·      "The Lord is upright”

·      “He is my rock”

·      “There is no wickedness in Him”

Claim the above promises for yourself!

They are for those who are saved. For those who have believed and confessed Jesus as their savior.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Rom. 10:9-10)

“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15 ESV)

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!” (Psalm 100:4 ESV)

Give thanks in all circumstances

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (2 Thess. 5:18 ESV)

 Give thanks always for everything

“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Eph. 5:20 ESV) 

Praise Him for He is good!

“Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord, or declare all his praise?” (Psalms 106:1-2 ESV)

Therefore

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:4-7 ESV)

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:57 ESV)

We are more than conquerors through Jesus

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Rom. 8:37 ESV)

The Lord goes with us to give victory

“For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’” (Deut. 20:4 ESV)

We can do all things through Jesus who gives us strength

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13 ESV)

We do valiantly with God

“With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.

God provides a way of escape

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Cor. 10:13 ESV)

Therefore

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” (Eph. 6:13 ESV)

“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” (Luke 10:19 ESV) 

Subject to Jesus’ Name

“The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” (Luke 10:17 ESV) 

Greater is He who is in you

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 ESV)

Resist the devil and submit yourself to God

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 ESV)

Therefore

“And give no opportunity to the devil.” (Eph. 4:27 ESV)

 “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (Rom. 16:20 ESV)