"No Man is an Island"

"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.

                                  John 14:26-27 NIV

Have you ever felt desperate or alone, like the world, and maybe even your own family and all your friends, are against you? Have you felt like you are on an island? As followers of Christ, we are never truly alone anymore. We should take comfort in knowing that the Holy Spirit of God, our Advocate, lives in us and with us! Although we are living in the world, we, the followers of Christ, are no longer of the world. We are citizens of heaven (see Philippians 3:20), and if we are part of the body of Christ, more than likely the world will hate us (see Mark 13:13). As part of a local expression of the body of Christ, we are also comforted by knowing that we have brothers and sisters to whom we can turn if needed. 

So, how can we continue "The Pursuit of Happiness" in a world so often filled with hate? This week at Friendship, we will discuss the wisdom in Ecclesiastes 4, which addresses the reality of being slaves to the world if we are not following Jesus, and the worthlessness or meaninglessness of living that way. Join us for this important reminder to seek the wisdom of the Holy Spirit of God!