To Strengthen Your Faith, Find Your Tribe

Who’s your tribe?

Some people shave their heads. Some wear Greek letters. Some buy the same car. Some go to the same gym. Some meet together annually, monthly, weekly, daily. Who’s your tribe?

“We have received the Good News just as they did. But the word that they heard did not profit them, for they were not united in faith with those who listened.”

I was struck when I read this from Hebrews 4:2: “For in fact we have received the Good News just as they did. But the word that they heard did not profit them, for they were not united in faith with those who listened.”

To think that we might all hear the same Good News, but unless we are “united in faith with those who listen,” it might not profit us.

Do you want to live a full and meaningful life? The Good News states: “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Do you want to be forgiven and set free? The Good News states: “If we acknowledge our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing” (1 John 1:9).

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Do you want to have a new heart and renewed spirit to do His will? The Good News states: “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26).

Do you want to live a joyful, loving and peaceful life? The Good News states: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Do you want Him to meet your every need? The Good News states: “My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Do you want to live a super-human, super-natural life? The Good News states: “I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me” (Philippians 4:13).

“Iron is sharpened by iron, one person sharpens another.”

Get with a tribe that listens and believes, that walks out the truth and encourages you to as well. If you fail to do so, all of this Good News will profit you nothing.

“Iron is sharpened by iron, one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).

Dear Lord,
Help me to find an encouraging TRIBE! I want to be free, loving, strong, committed, able to rise above myself, to live a joyful and empowered life. I want the life You promise in Your Good News. I know I cannot do this on my own. I need you and I need the Body of Christ. Help me to not be prideful and think I, alone, am enough, for even YOU are Three! Please give me the grace to be diligent and persevere. Please give me the grace to create a TRIBE if I can’t find one. Give me the grace to be a humble leader or seeker. If You are asking more of me than the status quo. Lord — connect me, not only to You, but to like-minded listeners and doers of Your will. Only then will all that You have to give fully profit me. Thank You, Lord.

I ask this in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Melissa Overmyer is founder of Something Greater Ministries in Washington, D.C., and has been teaching the Bible for over 30 years.