Dear Friend,

It is important in life that we recognize that we need each other for strength and encouragement. Every believer that is born into the kingdom of God is now called our brother and sister in Christ. When you are sitting in the church pew and you see believers to the left and right of you, they are not only friends and acquaintances, but are your brother and sister in the Lord. We are to realize this fact and know that God is well pleased when we are there for one another just as we are available for our immediate family members. (John 15:9-14) (Hebrews 10:24-25)

I hope this story encourages your heart to always lend a helping hand when you see someone struggling in an area which you have already been Victorious over.

Story of the Little Grape Stem

Once upon a time there was a little grape stem. This stem was so glad to be alive…She drank water and minerals from the soil and grew and grew. She was young and strong and could manage quite well…All by Herself.

But then, the wind was cruel, the rain was harsh, the snow was not one bit understanding, and the little grape stem suffered. She drooped, weak and suffering.

It would be so easy to stop trying to grow, to stop trying to live. And the grape stem felt poor! The winter was long, and the stem was weary.

But then the little grape stem heard a voice. It was another grape stem calling out to her…“Here, reach out…hang on to me.” But the stem hesitated. “What would this mean?” she thought, for you see, the little stem had always managed quite well…All by herself.

But then, ever so cautiously, she reached out towards the other grape stem. “See, I can help you”, it said. “Just wind your tendrils about me and I will help you lift your head.” And the little stem trusted…and suddenly she could stand straight again.

The wind came…and the rain…and the snow, But when it came, the little grape stem was clinging to many other stems. And although the stems were swayed by the wind…and frozen by the snow, They stood strongly united to each other. And in their united strength…they could smile and grow.

And then, one day the little stem looked down and saw a tiny stem, swaying and frightened. And our little grape stem said, “Here, hang on…I will help you.” And the other stem reached up to our grape stem…And together all the stems grew…Leaves budded…flowers bloomed…And finally, grapes formed And the grapes fed many.

Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances dictate.

Be encouraged and know that you are never alone in this world. There is always someone around that cares for your well-being and wants to help lift you up when you are feeling low. Never allow the trials of life to make you want to give up, but rather look towards the positive influences around you and grasp to their stems to be lifted up and sustained. (John 13:34-35)

Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Hebrews 10:23-25 “Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of His coming back again is drawing near.”

1 John 4:9-12 “God showed how much He loved us by sending His only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love has been brought to full expression through us.”

Galatians 5:22-26 “But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another.”

Matthew 7:12 Jesus declares, “Do for others what you would like them to do for you. This is a summary of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”

In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya Gods Work Ministry Godswork100@hotmail.com