THE CORD OF THREE STRANDS - When three strands are twisted together a rope is produced in which the strands are firmly pressed against each other - it is impossible to pull one of the strands loose from the rope. The greater the tension on the rope, when it is pulled, the firmer the strands become pressed against each other - a cord of three strands, or a rope of three stands, is a splendid image of a trinity. “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him — a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” - A trinity is mentioned frequently in the Bible. God, as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and man, as body, soul and spirit. A trinity that symbolises great strength is illustrated in Ecclesiastes 4:12. Rope for daily use is usually manufactured from three strands. A strand contains several hemp fibres twisted together . Three of these strands are twisted together so that a rope is made, as illustrated here. The three strands ensure that a stable rope is made. A rope made from two strands twisted together would have no stability. Four strands also produce an unstable rope. The four strands will slide over each other, so that three of them will end up next to each other, with the fourth on the outside. A cable with four strands will only be stable if a solid core is laid in the middle. When three strands are twisted together a rope is produced in which the strands are firmly pressed against each other. It is impossible to pull one of the strands loose from the rope.

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The cord of three strands

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When three strands are twisted together a rope is produced in which the strands are firmly pressed against each other - it is impossible to pull one of the strands loose from the rope. The greater the tension on the rope, when it is pulled, the firmer the strands become pressed against each other - a cord of three strands, or a rope of three stands, is a splendid image of a trinity, which cannot be broken quickly

The School of Life

^“12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him — a threefold cord is not quickly broken".” - Ecclesiastes 4:12 English Standard Version

A trinity is mentioned frequently in the Bible.
For example God, as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and man, as body, soul and spirit.

A trinity that symbolises great strength is illustrated in Ecclesiastes 4:12, which states:

“A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” 

Rope for daily use is usually manufactured from three strands.

A strand contains several hemp fibres twisted together – nowadays these are often made of plastic.

Three of these strands are twisted together so that a rope is made, as illustrated here.

The three strands ensure that a stable rope is made.

A rope made from two strands twisted together would have no stability.

(the rings in the illustrations represent strands, which consist of several separate threads.)

Four strands also produce an unstable rope.
The four strands will slide over each other, so that three of them will end up next to each other, with the fourth on the outside.

A cable with four strands will only be stable if a solid core is laid in the middle.

When three strands are twisted together a rope is produced in which the strands are firmly pressed against each other.

It is impossible to pull one of the strands loose from the rope.

The greater the tension on the rope, when it is pulled, the firmer the strands become pressed against each other.

This rope, with three strands twisted together, will not break quickly.

A cord of three strands, or a rope of three stands, is a splendid image of a trinity, which cannot be broken quickly.

Why The School of Life

To get acquainted with life to the full !
A signpost !

We have several ‘teachers’ throughout our life: parents, family, nursery, schoolteachers, employers, colleagues, and friends (male and female) too – simply the people around us. They all exercise an influence on how we think and act.
They each have their own view of life, as a result of which we are exposed to many different opinions. These are sometimes contradictory, so that it can be difficult to choose one’s own way through life.
Nothing gives more satisfaction than getting rid of confusion and uncertainty.

This is why it is important to know that there exists an extraordinary “Manual for Life”.
We are not given this extraordinary ‘Manual’ at birth, even though it was written long before we were born.
t was written for every human being, wherever in the world, and points the way to experiencing full joy and peace in this life.
What one needs to do, is to read and study this ‘Manual’.

The School of Life wants to be of assistance in understanding the ‘Manual’, so that life can be experience as intended.

http://www.manual4life.org/en/ecclesiastes-412-cord-three-strands/

THE SOURCE OF MY STRENGTH - I want to be the kind of woman God can count on. Yet, sometimes I look at my own weaknesses or the circumstances around me and am discouraged. I look at my children and the challenges that could face them and am afraid. But then, I lift my eyes to my heavenly Father and am reminded that He is strong. The Bible is filled with stories of men and women who, in the face of impossible circumstances, persevered and were mightily used of God. We need to keep our heart’s attitude right, but the ability and strength to persevere come from Him.

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The Source of My Strength

Terry Meeuwsen

The book Hiding Place chronicles the life of Corrie ten Boom.

Corrie and her family were Dutch believers who hid Jews in their home during the Nazi reign of terror.

They were finally arrested and imprisoned for hiding and smuggling Jews to safety. Corrie was the only survivor.

When I consider the condition of the world today – the loss of high moral standards, the increasing instances of violence and drug use, and the basic disregard for human life – I am frightened for us as a nation and am deeply concerned for my children.

In a world where rules are scorned and personal rights take precedence over all else, how do I teach my children that some things are worth dying for?

Stories like Corrie’s help me to keep on keeping on in my own faith walk and to encourage my children in theirs.

Years ago, at the age of 22, a friend encouraged me to enter the Miss America Pageant.

I wanted to study professionally in New York City, and the pageant scholarship was substantial enough to make that dream a reality.

But there was a process to it. You had to enter a local pageant first. If you won that, you went on to a state competition.

If you won that, you competed in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for the Miss America title. Oh, the effort I put into that endeavor!

It took hours, days, months of discipline and perseverance. There were mock interviews, rehearsals, and workouts.

There were sessions on walking, wardrobe, cosmetics, and speech. And singing, singing, singing.

Ultimately I won, and I was given many opportunities and blessings as a result of being Miss America.

But I did all that for a crown that will perish. How much more should I be willing to do for a crown that is imperishable?

The Bible is filled with stories of men and women who, in the face of impossible circumstances, persevered and were mightily used of God.

I want to be the kind of woman God can count on. Yet, sometimes I look at my own weaknesses or the circumstances around me and am discouraged.

I look at my children and the challenges that could face them and am afraid. But then, I lift my eyes to my heavenly Father and am reminded that He is strong.

In The Hiding Place, Corrie expresses her fear to her father and asks how she can be sure she’ll have the courage to walk out her faith if they are caught.

Her father says, “Corrie, when we take a train ride, when do you get the ticket to get on the train?”

Corrie answered, “When the train is ready to leave.”

So it is with our God. We need to keep our heart’s attitude right, but the ability and strength to persevere come from Him.

Lord, make me a woman of conviction, willing to pay the price and finish the race. When I am weary, remind me that You are the source of my strength.

Excerpted with permission from Near to the Heart of God, by Terry Meeuwsen ©1998

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Terry Meeuwsen was born and raised in the Green Bay area of Wisconsin, where she grew up the oldest of four siblings.  Gifted from a young age, Terry developed her God-given vocal talent, eventually joining the New Christy Minstrels for two years before turning her attention to a larger stage. Terry was crowned Miss America 1973 and she used her new platform to share her faith.

Winning the Miss America crown helped Terry launch a career in broadcasting that would ultimately bring her to the Christian Broadcasting Network. Since 1993, Terry has been the warm, engaging personality greeting The 700 Club guests on weekday mornings. Serving as co-host with Pat and Gordon Robertson, the trio has shared the love of God with millions of viewers from the CBN studios in Virginia Beach, VA over the last 23 years.

Terry is also an accomplished author, with four titles to her name, including The God Adventure, a story of God’s power and purpose in her life.

A lifelong advocate for children, Terry and her husband Andy are the parents of seven, including five adopted children. It was this passion for adoption that led Terry to launch Orphan’s Promise in 2006. Orphan’s Promise is CBN’s ministry to children around the world; it recently celebrated 10 years of taking vulnerable children from at-risk to thriving.

To find out more about Orphan’s Promise, visit OrphansPromise.org.

https://www1.cbn.com/devotions/terry-meeuwsen-source-of-my-strength