Better Together

“So I give you now a new commandment: Love each other

just as much as I have loved you. For when you demonstrate the same love

I have for you by loving one another, everyone will know

that you’re my true followers.” ~John 13:34-35

Before the foundations of the earth, God already knew us. There has never been anyone before us, and there will never be anyone after us exactly like us. We are uniquely us, and no other person will ever be us. God made us in His image, and He has a unique plan for our lives. However, He never created us for isolation. We all need each other to grow, to live, to be, and to experience true, deep love and joy. God loves us deeply, more than anyone or anything. Yet, He chooses to best show His love for us in the context of community.

It’s in community where we are sharpened and shaped to be more like Christ. We can read the Bible, but without the imperfections of the world and without each other, we cannot fully change. We need each other, for better or for worse, to be made more whole and to become more like Christ.

In a community that is rooted in Christ, where people are actively seeking Him to lead them, mold them, and change them, the world becomes a beautiful place. This is where His people sharpen each other. Where love flourishes. Where people challenge us to be our best and love us enough to help us see our blind spots and weaknesses. It’s in community where we help each other finish this race of life together with strength and endurance, with patience, with Christ-like love, and with the joy of what is to come.

In community is where we truly learn to celebrate others, to laugh with and love one another, and to gain a better understanding and deeper revelations of how much He loves us. The more we let Him love us, the better we love others. The better we love others, the more and more the world looks like Heaven on Earth.

Maybe God allowed us to be imperfect so we would need each other. Maybe challenges in community are needed to help us realize that we have our own flaws to work out with each other, in addition to being at the feet of Jesus. The more we foster ALL of our relationships with Christ at the center, the more we let Him love and heal us, the more we can do this for our brothers, sisters, and the world around us.

When the world sees us, the Body of Christ, be like Him and love like Him—with patience, kindness, and respect—it will cause them to seek Him on their own. Our biggest testimony to the world is how we love one another.

This week, let us grow deeper in our relationships with Christ. Let us grow more vulnerable with Him and with each other, and let anything that needs healing be brought into the open, allowing His love and the love of others to filter out the junk from our souls. When we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in our relationships, we let Him be our compass for how each relationship should look. We allow Him to teach us how we can all become better at loving each other. We can even show each other what it means to truly walk with Christ by praying together, eating together, and helping each other maintain hope and faith during life's hardest moments.

Community is risky. Getting to know others is risky. Trusting God is risky. Without risks in life, your life would be pretty boring. So take the leap and grow closer in your community. It is worth it. Even if it doesn’t work out, you are allowing the risk of love to sharpen you and to help sharpen others.

You cannot stand alone. You cannot hug yourself. And you cannot do life well without others.

With Love,
The G.O.A.A. Team

Scriptures to Meditate On

“Every believer was faithfully devoted to following the teachings of the apostles. Their hearts were mutually linked to one another, sharing communion and coming together regularly for prayer.”~Acts 2:42

“As iron sharpens iron, so a person sharpens the countenance of his friend. ~Proverbs 27:17

“Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love]. [John 13:34]” ~Galatians 6:2

“For just as in one [physical] body we have many parts, and these parts do not all have the same function or special use, so we, who are many, are [nevertheless just] one body in Christ, and individually [we are] parts one of another [mutually dependent on each other].” ~Romans 12:4-5

Read & Declare Over Yourself

My love for one another and for all people is growing more and more.

I am strengthened by the love of Christ and I am being made holy in the presence of God.

I choose to love deeply, live faithfully, and reflect the heart of Jesus in everything I do.

— Inspired by 1 Thessalonians 3:12–13

Uncertain Life. Unchanging God.

God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.

Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple

into the depths of the seas, though its water roars and foams and the mountains quake

with its turmoil [we will not be afraid]. Selah

~Psalm 46:1-3

2026 has been a crazy year, filled with wildfires, flash flooding, extreme heat waves, political unrest, devastating earthquakes, and droughts that have threatened food security for millions. With thousands of lives lost, and hundreds of thousands more displaced by natural disasters, and each day uncertain, despair can be rampant.

Even without these things occurring in your own personal life, the world can be shaky, unsteady, and filled with heartache, stress, and trouble. You could have lost your child, your parents, or even your spouse. You could be taking care of a sick relative. You could be stressed and worried about where your next meal will come from, or where you will sleep tonight.

The thing about life is, it’s always uncertain. Nothing about life is guaranteed.

So what do you do when you feel hopeless?

What do you do when you want to scream, run away, or spend your days numbing yourself with social media, television, alcohol, or busyness?

You turn around, go down on your knees, and cry out to God, the best, most perfect Father in the whole world.

You can even lay down, rest in His presence, and wait for His perfect peace that surpasses all understanding. You can read His Word and let His eternal truth pierce through your mind, body, and soul.

He loves you. He is waiting for you, and He will never judge you. He already knows how much it hurts when you are at your lowest. He already knows every mistake you have made and still loves you unconditionally.

There is nothing that you can do for Him to take His love away from you.

Will you go to Him?

Will you trust Him?

Will you release all of your stress, worries, and uncertainties at His feet?

What can you lose?

I challenge you to give it a try.

He is waiting for you, with open arms. Your Father in Heaven already sees you, knows you, and loves you.

There is no rejection from the One that made you before the foundations of the earth.

Go rest in His arms today, and every day. Let Him take your burdens. They were never meant for you to carry, dear child of God.

With Love,
The G.O.A.A. Team

Scriptures to Meditate On

“I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will guard and guide me, never letting me stumble or fall. God is my keeper; He will never forget nor ignore me.” ~Psalm 121:1-3

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know Him, and He will make your paths straight.” ~Proverbs 3:5-6

“I drew you to myself from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corner. I say to you: You are my servant; I have chosen you. I have not rejected you! Do not yield to fear, for I am always near. Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God. I will infuse you with my strength and help you in every situation. I will hold you firmly with My victorious right hand.” ~Isaiah 41:9-10

“The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” ~Deuteronomy 31:8

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” ~Hebrews 13:8

“So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that His love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken His love. There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. ~Romans 8:38-39