Month: November 2023

recently we began our discussion of palatable pairings (things in the kitchen that work great together), and the POWER OF TWO. We listed such delectable duos as peanut butter and jelly; bread and butter; peaches and cream; and we mentioned how the power of two can carry over into life. When two people work together to achieve a goal or realize a dream, they can accomplish far more than they might individually. The SUM really is greater than the parts. That’s why the buddy system works so well … on the job, when dieting, cleaning the house, etc. Usually makes things a lot more fun, too!

Here’s a few more examples of kitchen companions: fork and knife (only together can they conquer that juicy steak); cup and saucer (both serve a need, but only together are they an elegant couple); table and chair (Who wants to eat standing up? And when you’re seated, a table can hold far more dishes than your lap!); pot and lid. (Hey, do we really need to explain this dynamic duo?)

There’s a Biblical basis for the POWER OF TWO, one that goes well beyond all those cute animal couples that boarded the SS Noah’s ARK “two by two”! (Genesis 6:9) Yes, the POWER OF TWO has a spiritual application: the GOD Factor! What’s the GOD Factor? Well, we just now made that part up, but essentially it describes higher mathematics (“higher” as in Heaven). It’s when 1 + 1 = 3. Here’s how it works: “…Where two or three gather together as My followers, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20 NLT) In other words, when believers meet to pray or fellowship, God joins the gathering!

Prior to the coming of Jesus Christ (Yeshua), it took 12 men to form a “proper” spiritual gathering or assembly. Thanks to the presence of the Lord, it takes only two now! (Actually only ONE, but we’ll get to that.) It takes only two, because God shows up — AND HE CARRIES WAY MORE WEIGHT!! He’s the “CEO” in any meeting and He has the authority to get things done — even when there’s not a quorum.

But to ensure our team leader is present, we need to be sure we’re allowing Him to be in charge. We have to invite Him to be the Captain of our souls, to take the helm of our lives, and chart the right course for each of us. After all, He should be in charge, because He’s infinitely wiser and more powerful than we are. He’s our safe port in a storm: “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NLT)

“Okay, but what if I’m all by my lonesome? What then? Does God abandon me so He can go hang out in a ‘crowd’ of 2 or more?” No way! When it comes to a relationship with God, One is NOT the loneliest number! God is always in the midst of “two or more,” but He’s also CONSTANTLY at the side of every SINGLE believer! Remember, He’s “… a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24 NIV)

You may be single and feeling like you don’t have any real friends; you may be divorced or widowed, and struggling with isolation and despair; you may be an orphan, or at times you feel like one; someone may have abandoned you or left you in the lurch; you may feel all alone in this big world, but God “Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I forsake you.'” (Hebrews 13:8 NASB)

With Christ, you are never alone! “…Remember I am with you always until the end of time.” (Matthew 28:20 GOD’S WORD) So whether you’re “alone” or in a group, TAP INTO THE POWER OF TWO!

“…Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Ever notice how certain foods work really well together? Like bread and butter. Rice and beans. Cream and sugar. Biscuits and gravy. Peaches and cream. Salt and pepper. Lettuce and tomatoes. Mac and cheese. Peanut butter and jelly. We call these delectable duos “palatable pairings”! We’ve only listed a few, but our list could on and on. And we’ve probably started you thinking about a few of your own favorite culinary couplings.

Although any of the items listed above can stand alone, although each one has individual value and can fill a need all by itself, bringing two of them together greatly increases the appeal and value. Peanut butter is a good source of protein, but it can be a little dry and a little blah. Jelly is fruity and sweet, but it’s not very filling. Either one works well as a sandwich spread, but just ask any kid: mix the two and you have a nutritional sandwich that tastes like a snack! Because these two foodstuffs are BETTER TOGETHER!

Bet you already guessed this kitchen wisdom: there are tons of examples of things in life that work well together. Spices, such as brown sugar and cinnamon. Foods, such as apple pie and vanilla ice cream. Comedy teams, such as Abbot and Costello, or Laurel and Hardy.  Musical duos, such as Donny and Marie, the Righteous Brothers, or Simon and Garfunkel. (And by the way, did Art Garfunkel ever do anything noteworthy while he was on his own? Just curious.) And PEOPLE can work together to do great things. You, us, and them too.

No one is an island. God created people to be relational beings: to have interaction with Him, obviously, but also to interact with those around us. “…The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone.'” (Genesis 2:18 HCSB) Although this verse relates to marriage, the first institution God created (which we’ll examine in a future post), its wisdom applies to ALL relationships.

The Bible is full of relationships. Actually, it’s all about relationships. And it’s THE Book of God’s relationship to us! God knows us better than anyone, and what He knows is that WE NEED RELATIONSHIPS. Every human being has a basic need and desitre to love and be loved, to share, to communicate, to socialize. Even the grumpiest, seemingly most unapproachable person needs to talk to someone! Perhaps that’s why social media is so popular today.

Two people working together are better able to achieve their goals and realize their dreams, because there is power in two people who are mutually supportive and accountable; two people who can encourage and assist each other. That’s what the “buddy system” is all about. That’s why there are support groups such as AA, and mentoring groups such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters. That’s why a prayer partner can help keep us tuned in to God. And why corporations hope you have a “best friend” at work. Such connections make work more bearable, and life more enjoyable.

Please don’t face life alone. “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9 NLT)

“…One person (can) chase a thousand … (but) two people put ten
thousand to flight….” (Deuteronomy 32:30 NLT)

So find a friend, whether online, on the job, at church, or next door. And never forget that the Lord also longs to partner with you in every endeavor. He’s “… a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24 NIV)