It Starts With Me Being A Friend First

Luke 6:35-36 (ESV)

35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Too often people complain or tweet about not having friends or community in their life —if only they knew that the solution lies within them! Just as Jesus initiated a relationship between Himself and humanity, sometimes we must be the instigators and initiators of friendships so that we can enjoy the fullness of community that God intends for us. Why not create quality community for yourself by being a friend first!

Jesus didn’t wait for us to approach Him; He made the first move. Romans 5:8 says, “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” We did not ask for Jesus, nor did we do anything to deserve Jesus, but yet He still came to us.

Rather than wait for others to acknowledge us, look in our direction, or invite us to sit with them, as Christians we should imitate Jesus and go first in friendships. Make the first move: make eye contact, be the first to smile, have a good attitude, and introduce yourself! While your friendliness won’t always be reciprocated, most of the time it will be received and returned in your direction. The more you do this, the more confident we will become and the more we will recognize community happening in and around our life.

Go today and extend your friendship to a stranger, or to someone you have known for years (but have never been friends with).

Dear Lord, help us to be a friend today. Give us the courage to make the first move like You taught us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Biblical friend

Proverbs 17:17 (ESV)

A friend loves at all times,

    and a brother is born for adversity.

The Christian life is not a solo venture. It requires teamwork. God has given us an incredible resource in our brothers and sisters in Christ. We desperately need each other so that when we want to quit, we can’t, because our friends won’t let us give up. Lasting change requires biblical friendship.

Note the qualification: biblical friendship, because not all friendships are biblical. In fact, some are very unbiblical. They not only don’t help us, but they also impede our progress on the path toward transformation. People who are growing and becoming more mature followers of Christ are surrounded by biblical friendships. Without that kind of friendships, Christians cannot flourish spiritually.

Change does not happen in a silo, just you plus God (and maybe your Bible and a flashlight). It’s time to knock the silo down and invite others into your life. As you read God’s Word, you can’t help but notice that great men and women of faith always had supportive friends around them. Always!

When you think of Abraham, you think of Sarah, his loving wife and good friend. Although she made mistakes, just like Abe, Hebrews 11:11 raves about her faith. Sarah stuck with her husband through thick and thin. Without her loving support, Abe would have had a much harder time following God’s call.

Moses’ life can’t be understood apart from the role of his supportive relationships. His brother, Aaron, spoke for him, and his father-in-law, Jethro, provided leadership consultation on how to delegate, which saved Moses’ sanity. Moses’ sister, Miriam, stood with him when the people rebelled. Moses’ friendships also extended beyond his family. When everyone else doubted, Joshua and Caleb stood with Moses, insisting that the children of Israel could conquer the land.

The list could go on and on. Ruth and Naomi loyally served each other. Alone in the seductive world of palace life, Queen Esther stood firm in her faith because of her cousin Mordecai, a solid friend to her. David and Jonathan became soul brothers. Elijah and Elisha, two prophets under attack, stuck together.

Barnabas was a true friend to Paul, even when everyone else feared the former Christian-hater. Silas and Paul sang together in prison. Paul mentored Timothy, and Timothy comforted Paul when he was again imprisoned near the end of his life. And of course, Jesus had twelve close companions who lived, ate, slept, and journeyed with Him. When Jesus sent His disciples out to do ministry, He sent them two by two. Why? Because of the power of biblical friendship.

In contrast, some of the worst disasters in the Bible happened when people had the wrong friends or no friends. Adam and Eve should have challenged each other, “What are you thinking? Don’t bite that; put it down!”

God sent the prophet Samuel to teach King Saul how to lead well, but Saul refused to listen. As a result, his life ended tragically.

David’s downfall was directly related to the lack of wise counsel from his military general and personal friend, Joab. When David sent orders to set up Uriah’s death in battle, Joab obliged. Rather than warning the king against being an accessory to murder, Joab stayed silent.

Samson had potential—handsome and strong, chosen by God from birth, with the Spirit of God resting on him. But he made foolish, self-destructive choices, and in every bitter moment, he was alone with the enemy.

Just like the men and women in God’s Word, we have abilities and potential and a desire for God, but without biblical, truth-telling friends, our lives will flop.

Do you already have biblical friends? If so, cultivate those priceless friendships! Maybe you need to verbalize your friendship and its value, even as David and Jonathan did. True, biblical friends are instruments God will use in your life to help you grow. Change flourishes when it’s a partnership; it’s easier to go where God wants you to go when you have a friend who’s on the same journey.

You need a true, biblical friend. Pray and think about someone who can hold you up when you stumble and hold you down when you stray.

Dear Lord, thank You for friends. Thank You that You don’t want us to be alone. Please help us to find a true, biblical friend who will challenge us, and help us to cultivate that friendship. Teach us to be a true friend, to love that person at all times. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Bring a friend to Jesus

Luke 5:17-26 (ESV)

17 On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18 And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, 19 but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”

We have looked at friends and friendship in the last few devotions. I want to take a look at some questions regarding friends and what God wants us to do for them.

1.  What is a quality we most look for in a friend?

2.  What are some benefits of friendship?

3.  What are some good reasons that people seek friendship?

4.  How well do your friends know you?

5.  How well do you know your friends?

Now let’s look at some questions form our verses.

1.  How would you describe the paralyzed man’s friends from this story? Why?

2.  Why do you think they did what they did?

3.   Look closely, whose faith does Jesus take note of in order to heal the paralyzed man?

4.   We already know what the Pharisees and teachers of the law thought, but how do you think the other people reacted to this interruption?

5.   Do you have friends like this? How do you know?

6.   Do you think your friends consider you as good as the paralyzed man’s friends? Why or why not?

7.   How important is Jesus within your friendships?

8.   To what lengths are you willing to go to make sure your friends know Jesus?

9.   What can you do to make sure all of your friends know Jesus?

I don’t know about you but I know I want to have those kinds of friends around me, and I also want to be that kind of friend to others.

1.  How well do you really know your friends?

2.  Do they know Jesus?

3.  Are they saved?

4.  Do you know if they have a relationship with the Lord of all lords?

5.   If so, great! If not, what are you going to do about it?

Here is a challenge for everyone.  Take out your cell phones and get ready to send a text to a friend whose salvation you’re not sure of – maybe you know they don’t love Jesus, or you’re just not sure.  Send them the following message: Hey, can we talk about something really important soon? If so, I’ll call you later.

Spend some time in prayer about what you are going to do for your friends this week.

Dear Lord, we pray that we would be bold this week and reach out and bring a friend to You. We pray that You would put that person upon our heart today. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Be a Good Friend

Proverbs 17:17a (NIV)

A friend loves at all times,

   

We had the joy of spending the holiday at the beach with our extended family.  As I was sitting there writing my blog My Grand Nephew thought he would help. With his help I thought I would write a devotion as if a child was writing it. I hope it is a blessing and brings a smile to your face.

  

Friends are so important. Not just because they are really fun and nice to be with but because they help you in times of need. God wants us to make good choices and pick good friends because friends are going to be there your whole life. If it’s one thing that will last, it is a really good friend.   Good friends have your back and are there for you. They play around with you and make you smile when you are sad. A true friend is a friend no matter what is going on around you. God wants us to remember that to have good friends we need to be a good friend too.

Be a good friend to someone today.

Dear God, thank you for this day. Thank You for the friends You gave us. Help us treat them like they are important. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Will You Be the Legs, Arms or Eyes Today?

John 15:12 (NIV)

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

Bob Butler lost his legs in a 1965 land mine explosion in Vietnam. He returned home a war hero. Twenty years later, he proved once again that heroism comes from the heart. Butler was working in his garage in a small town in Arizona on a hot summer day when he heard a woman's screams coming from a nearby house. He began rolling his wheelchair toward the house but the dense shrubbery wouldn't allow him access to the back door. So he got out of his chair and started to crawl through the dirt and bushes.

"I had to get there," he says. "It didn't matter how much it hurt."

When Butler arrived at the pool there was a three-year-old girl named Stephanie Hanes lying at the bottom. She had been born without arms and had fallen in the water and couldn't swim. Her mother stood over her baby screaming frantically. Butler dove to the bottom of the pool and brought little Stephanie up to the deck. Her face was blue, she had no pulse and was not breathing. Butler immediately went to work performing CPR to revive her while Stephanie's mother telephoned the fire department. She was told the paramedics were already out on a call. Helplessly, she sobbed and hugged Butler's shoulder. As Butler continued with his CPR, he calmly reassured her.

"Don't worry," he said. "I was her arms to get out of the pool. It'll be okay. I am now her lungs. Together we can make it."

Seconds later the little girl coughed, regained consciousness, and began to cry. As they hugged and rejoiced together the mother asked Butler how he knew it would be okay.

"The truth is, I didn't know," he told her. "But when my legs were blown off in the war, I was all alone in a field. No one was there to help except a little Vietnamese girl. As she struggled to drag me into her village, she whispered in broken English, 'It okay. You can live. I be your legs. Together we make it.'

Her kind words brought hope to my soul and I wanted to do the same for Stephanie. "There are simply those times when we cannot stand alone. There are those times when we need someone to be our legs, our arms, our eyes or our friend.

How can you be the legs, arms, eyes or a friend today?

Dear Lord, we pray that we would be the arms, legs or friend that someone needs today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Just a Little Bit of Friendliness

John 10:10 (NIV)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

It started small. In 1931 the Wall was just an ordinary pharmacy with one huge goal: to reach out to those in need. The depression years were terrible, and many businesses were going belly up; but despite the fact that the home of this particular pharmacy, Wall, South Dakota, was only a tiny town, it knew how to survive.

How?

Located at the entrance to the South Dakota Badlands, tourists frequently passed through Wall during the hot summer months. The pharmacist figured out that the greatest need he could fill for these tourists was to quench their thirst. Although in those days they did not have refrigerators like we do now, he figured out a way to provide free ice water to anyone entering his pharmacy. But more than this, he treated anyone visiting his store like royalty.

Before long, the little pharmacy of Wall, soon to be known as "The Wall", along with its pharmacist who cared enough to take an interest in his customers, became famous all over the state, and eventually all over the US. People literally flocked in.

Over the years, business continued to boom, and now The Wall has expanded to the point that it could better be called an indoor mall. Covering an entire city block, it contains a variety of stores where one can buy clothing, shoes, books, toys, souvenirs, music, food… and of course, pharmaceutical drugs. But it is still renown not only for its many services, but especially for its friendly and caring staff and its free ice water.

Being friendly attracts people. Caring for others makes people think. Being genuinely interested into the welfare of others opens up even the hardcore introverts. People flock to places where they really feel welcome.

I have to wonder why so many churches can't seem to attract those who don't know Jesus.

I mean, the gospel message is powerful. Not only does it free people from addictions, it also provides freedom and real life beyond anyone's wildest dreams. Jesus is alive and He backs up his message of salvation: "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10 NIV); "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt 28:18-20 NIV).

So why aren't people flocking in?

Is it possible that it's because we, as Christians, do not know how to genuinely be interested into the welfare of others? Is it possible that we don't really know how to love others like Jesus did? Is it possible that we don't know Jesus intimately enough? "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35 NIV); "No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." (1 John 4:12 NIV)

If newcomers don't feel welcome in an establishment, especially in a church, they will eventually stop coming. Churches are famous for clicks, but we have to ask ourselves if we attend church to be with our friends, or if we attend with the single purpose of worshiping the One who makes a difference in our lives, of loving and adoring Him and of loving and encouraging those He died for? Isn't attending for any other reason truly a waste of time?

"Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (Matt 7:22-23 NIV)

What is your purpose for attending church? Do you want to follow in Jesus' steps? Do you want to obey His call to love one another and to broadcast His dynamic message of love and deliverance to a generation that hungers for real meaning in life?

A little bit of friendliness will have a huge impact on someone's life. If you don't believe it, visit the Wall in Wall, South Dakota.

Dear Lord, we pray that we would display the friendliness that will impact somebody today and bring them to You. Help us be that glass of water. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

All For an Enemy

Romans 5:6-10 (New International Version)

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

In the days of the American Revolutionary War there lived in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, a preacher by the name of Peter Miller who enjoyed the friendship of General George Washington. There also dwelt in that town one Michael Wittman, an evil-minded man who did all in his power to abuse and oppose this preacher.

One day Michael Wittman was involved in treason and was arrested and sentenced to death. When the old preacher heard this news, he started out on foot and walked the whole seventy miles to Philadelphia to plead for this man's life. He was admitted into Washington's presence and at once begged for the life of the traitor.

Washington said, "No, Peter, I cannot grant you the life of your friend."

The preacher exclaimed, "My FRIEND?? Why, this man is the bitterest ENEMY I have."

Washington cried, "What? You've walked seventy miles to save the life of an ENEMY? Now that puts the matter in a different light. I will grant the pardon."

And so he did. And Peter Miller took Michael Wittman from the very shadow of death back to his own home in Ephrata -- no longer as an enemy, but as a friend.*

Due to our sins, you and I have been found guilty and sentenced to death. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," and "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 3:23; 6:23). However, Christ walked the road to Calvary to seek reconciliation to God for US (His enemies) Romans 5:10. But unlike Peter Miller, Christ did not just enter "the very shadow of death" to save us; He actually gave His life so that we might be reconciled to God.

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a RIGHTEOUS MAN, though for a GOOD MAN someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still SINNERS, Christ died for us! Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For IF, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the DEATH of his Son, HOW MUCH MORE, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his LIFE!" (Romans 5:6-10).

Through Christ you and I can be reconciled to God, IF. we will respond to Him in faith (Hebrews 11:6), repentance (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confession (Romans 10:9-10), and baptism (immersion) for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Then, as we CONTINUE to walk in the light of His Word, the cleansing blood of Jesus will CONTINUE to wash our sins away (1 John 1:7).

The VALUE of something is often determined by the PRICE one is willing to pay for it! Consider the GREAT price that was paid for OUR reconciliation (a restored relationship) to God.

Dear Lord we thank You for being our friend even when we were Your enemy. We pray that we would be the friend for those around us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

President Lincoln and Forgiveness.

Psalm 118:14 (New American Standard Bible)



The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.






Today is President Lincoln's birthday, so I thought I would share a story about one of the great presidents.


This anecdote begins when the president was visited by a state delegation composed of unhappy people. The displeased representatives were protesting the character of their senator, a man by the name of Baker, a man who was a close personal friend of the president.


Lincoln patiently listened to the delegation; then he read their document which summed up their disagreements and disappointments with the man.


When he had finished, Lincoln looked up and asked, "Is this paper, does this paper -- the one which you have presented -- belong to me?"


They assured him it did.


Then Lincoln asked, "I can do with this paper as I wish?"


"Certainly, Mr. President," replied the leader of the group. Lincoln, listening to his conscience, placed the paper on the fireplace coals, turned to the group and said, "Good day, gentlemen."


Lincoln did much the same kind of thing that God does for us.


When our sins were lined up, protesting our admission into heaven, the Father decided He would dismiss those charges.


This He did not because we were His friends. How could He? We hadn't been His friends.


No, God dismissed the charges against us because of Jesus who had given His life to take those sins away.


Because of Jesus' sacrifice, God was able to discharge all accusations made against us and bring us into His circle of forgiven friends and family.


It is a practice we should copy. Today we may also be given the opportunity to stand up for others. If we do, we need to make sure we ignore rumors, plug our ears to wagging tongues and, wherever possible, put the best construction on everything.


If we do, we'll be a friend like Lincoln was to Baker and we'll be bringing honor to Jesus, our best and truest Friend and Savior.






Dear Lord we pray that we would be a friend just like you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Friendship in the Pit.

Proverbs 17:17 (New International Version)



A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.






Here is a story I received in an email last year. I thought it was a good thing to share.


"I am in there again," I told my friend. "The pit." A time when no one can cheer you up and you wonder if there ever was or is a God. Have you ever had such times? Discouragement can be devastating even to the best of saints. It can bring us so low. The writer of Proverbs phrased it well when he said, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick" (Prov. 13:12). When we get so low that we despair of our belief, we can identify with the prophet Elijah who wanted to die after being so discouraged with life.


"I'm coming over," my friend said.


"Aw, you don't have to do that," I said.


"I'm coming over. We're going to pray."


About 30 minutes later my friend walked in the door. We sat down on the living room floor and simply lay on our backs as my friend began to pray. I didn't feel like praying. I was too deep in the pit. All I could do was listen. After a while my friend was quiet. We both sat quietly for ten to fifteen minutes, praying quietly to ourselves. Suddenly my friend said, "First Thessalonians 5:24!"


"What verse is that?" I asked.


"I don't know," she said. "That is the verse He spoke to me."


I grabbed my Bible and looked up the verse. "The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it."


We laughed. Can He be so personal? Can He care that much? That night I grew more in my love of my two friends, not to mention being brought out of the pit.


As I read the story I wondered. Do you have a friend who is there when you need somebody at any hour of the day? Are you there for your friend? Ask the Lord how you can be a better friend to someone today.






Dear Lord we pray that we would be the friend to someone today. Help our eyes be open so that we can see those who need a friend. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

ABC's of Being a Friend

We are told in the Bible to be a loyal friend, here is the ABC’s of being a friend.



A Friend…


Accepts you as you are.


Believes in "you."


Calls you just to say "Hi."


Doesn’t give up on you.


Envisions the whole of you, even the unfinished parts.


Forgives your mistakes.


Gives unconditionally.


Helps you.


Invites you over.


Just wants to "be" with you.


Keeps you close at heart.


Loves you for who you are.


Makes a difference in your life.


Never Judges.


Offers support.


Picks you up.


Quiets your fears.


Raises your spirits.


Says nice things about you.


Tells you the truth when you need to hear it.


Understands you.


Values you.


Walks beside you.


X-plains thing you don’t understand.


Yells when you won’t listen and,


Zaps you back to reality.






A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.


- Proverbs 17:17 (New Living Translation)






Dear Lord help us be the friend today that somebody needs. In Jesus’ name, Amen.