Friendships

Friendships

3 John 1: ¹³ I have so much to tell you, but I do not want to do it with pen and ink. ¹⁴ I hope to see you soon, and then we will talk personally.

¹⁵ Peace be with you.

All your friends send greetings. Greet all our friends personally.

 

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After spending all day with a friend, I got home and heard a song playing on the radio. I immediately picked up the phone and called my friend. “Weren’t you two together all day? What more do you have to say?” were the questions asked to me.

 

I couldn’t explain my excitement.

I enjoyed people who would share in my excitement, and I theirs.

It felt good to be understood.

 

John closes his letter with a burst of friendship. He seemed eager to have a conversation rather than trying to contain all of his thoughts in a letter. He wanted to listen to his friend as well as tell what is going on in his world.

 

My Observations:

• Friendships based on GOD’s love help others to endure life’s pain.
• Solutions from friends who know the LORD enable me to be corrected as well as encouraged.
• Excitement about what GOD is doing can be heard from friends who seek JESUS as the Savior.

 

Work friends and organization friends are different. I mean, I have kept in touch with people who I met because we were forced together by the job or the group. These “friendships” enable me to have conversations that are safe. BUT GOD provides friends who can talk about HIM in meaningful ways.

 

Purpose driven people need encouragement, shared excitement and the bonds of going through the fire together. Those who place their purpose in the world may not be able to share in the understanding of the importance of having purpose in CHRIST. When you and I find people who are willing to pray for us, encourage us and share joy with us, our bonds grow stronger. I am grateful for my friends who call JESUS our LORD and Savior.

 

Challenge

• Can you feel the excitement from the writer?
• Have you ever had friends who could encourage you and share in your dreams the way GOD gave it to you?
• Will you be a friend to someone who needs encouragement, GOD’s way, and help those who seek HIM by sharing in joy today?

Purposeful Friendship

 

Purposeful Friendship

Philippians 4:1 So then, my friends, how dear you are to me and how I miss you! How happy you make me, and how proud I am of you!—this, dear friends, is how you should stand firm in your life in the Lord.

 

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“Why doesn’t he ever call me to check in on me?” and “Why do I have to be the one who responds to her needs?” were questions I have asked about certain people. After a while, I stopped calling and responding to people I was not getting anything “from.”

 

• I wanted to be served “for a change.”
• I wanted to have some attention “for a change.”
• I wanted to engage in a storybook friendship “for a change.”

 

Paul raises the bar on friendship by giving it purpose. He mentions how dear the people are and how happy they made him feel and how proud he is of them. Why? Because they shared experiences in their life in the LORD.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants the best for me, so HE gave HIS one and only SON to die for me.
• When JESUS was raised from the dead HE gave me the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me because I believed I needed a Savior.
• Now that I am saved, GOD wants me to want HIS best for others.

 

Giving oneself to others is commendable, but when I do it in the middle of being needy, it can become detrimental. I mean, friendship is messy. When I am in need, so is the next person. Some people stay in need for decades because GOD is shaping HIM or her to do something great and is not finished yet. Meanwhile, I may take pity on myself and say “What about me?”

 

GOD doesn’t want me to give up on him or her because amazing transformations are happening that I cannot see. But when a glimpse of GOD comes out of any of us, HE is pleased. I am glad the HOLY SPIRIT fills me up so I can overflow HIS love to others.

 

Challenge

• What is the “life in the LORD” look like to you that the writer speaks about?
• Have you ever asked “What about me?” when thinking about certain people?
• Will you seek GOD to fill you up daily so HIS purpose will overflow from your heart and so you can endear “that” person and miss “that” person and be happy and proud of “that” person for CHRIST today?

Friendship Tool

Friendship Tool

2 Corinthians 5: ¹⁶ No longer, then, do we judge anyone by human standards. Even if at one time we judged Christ according to human standards, we no longer do so. ¹⁷ Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come. ¹⁸ All this is done by God, who through Christ changed us from enemies into his friends and gave us the task of making others his friends also. ¹⁹ Our message is that God was making all human beings his friends through Christ God did not keep an account of their sins, and he has given us the message which tells how he makes them his friends.

 

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Forming friendships was not as easy as it seemed. I did not like people who ridiculed me, so at that time, I did not like many people. One friend, who I have known since kindergarten, looked beyond the items of ridicule and introduced me to other people who I call my friends to this very day.

 

• I was accepted with my flaws.
• I was not judged by human standards.
• I was stretched to learn to like others I would not have normally gravitated to.

 

Paul uses a strange word when describing a pursuit of GOD. He used the term “friend..” At one point we were HIS enemy, but through CHRIST, we become HIS friend.

 

My Observations

• GOD accepted me with all my sinful flaws.
• GOD did not keep account of my sins because I accepted JESUS as my Savior.
• GOD has given me the message to explain how to become HIS friend through CHRIST.

 

Being a friend to people is important to GOD, but in a different way. I mean, HE wants me to have a real relationship with HIM and enjoy HIS company enough to want to share HIM with other people. My earthly friends wanted to share friendship with people, so does GOD.

 

HE gives me an important message that all sins have been forgiven through JESUS and the relationship is totally healed by believing in the need to be forgiven by HIM. I gladly tell how to make friends with GOD, because HE showed HIS love to me.

 

Challenge

• Do you see the genuine friendship expressed by the writer?
• What does it mean to be an enemy of GOD?
• What friendships have you formed over the years?
• Will you accept the highest form of friendship by believing in JESUS so HE can give you purpose to make others a friend of GOD today?

Friendships

Friendships

2 Corinthians 2: ¹² When I arrived in Troas to preach the Good News about Christ, I found that the Lord had opened the way for the work there. ¹³ But I was deeply worried, because I could not find our brother Titus. So I said good-bye to the people there and went on to Macedonia.

 

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Upon arrival in a certain country, we settled down and went to the same church we had attended years before. A person called out my name, which I though was a miracle. He was someone I had spent time with on the last trip. He was now a preacher.

 

• It was great to see someone familiar in an unfamiliar place.
• It was nice to pick up the discussion where we left off.
• It was a faith builder for me to run into someone who remembered me.

 

Paul wanted to see Titus in Troas but could not find him. He was deeply concerned about Titus and while he could have done a marvelous work for the LORD there, he left and went to Macedonia.

 

My Observations

• Friendships formed because of CHRIST can be special.
• Friendships created out of unity with CHRIST overcome obstacles.
• Friendships started because of living purpose in CHRIST help make sense out of a sometimes senseless world.

 

I hung around people who I called “friends” who had no concern for me or anyone else. I mean, our “friendship” was formed by the current sin we were into. BUT GOD opened my eyes to my sins and wanted me to speak about JESUS.

 

When I went back to my “friends” they asked questions about why I stopped doing what I used to do. I said “It doesn’t make me any better to stop my sins, but I do feel better when I don’t sin and I am forgiven when I sin.” Some listened, some did not. I am learning to be grateful for everyone I meet because the friendship I show may lead to a relationship with JESUS.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer left even though the LORD opened up a way for work there?
• Have you ever been in an unfamiliar place but had a friend there to experience it?
• Do you have friends you can speak to about what JESUS is doing in your life?

Someone Has to Die

 

Someone Has to Die

Romans 9: I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— ² I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. ³ For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, ⁴ the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. ⁵ Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

 

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After I returned to attending church, I felt my life was getting better. I mean, the guilt was no longer there and I was now teaching people about GOD. I went back to visit the college I graduated from to see some of my “friends.”

 

“There is a party tonight” people gladly told me. They were proud to do so, because I was the one who used to throw the parties. I knew this was a code word for getting everyone drunk to have sex. “Should I go?” I pondered. I had to make a choice.

 

• There have been times when I wished I could convince people that CHRIST is the answer.
• There have been times when I wanted to tell people I have changed and hoped they could see a difference.
• There have been times when I desired my “friends” to be saved so perhaps, I needed to leave my old life and show a new one.

 

Paul expresses deep sadness over those who overlooked JESUS as the Messiah. He wished he could be the sacrifice who would be separated from GOD forever so all Jews would be saved. He knew this was impossible. Each person had to accept or reject JESUS as the Savior especially since HE chose this group to become a human through.

 

• GOD wants me to desire everyone I encounter to be saved.
• GOD wants me to make a choice to allow my desires to die so perhaps other people can live.
• GOD wants me to anguish over people who have decided to reject JESUS as the one and only Savior.

 

Someone had to die to pay for the sins of the world. Either it was all humans or one. JESUS took on the responsibility of every sin ever committed by every human. HE was blamed, convicted, and murdered for my sins. HE was raised form the dead and holds all power.

 

But what does that have to do with me? HE wants me to die to my old ways so someone else can live. No longer should I crave the old sinful life that seemed harmless, but was filled with pain and death. I am glad GOD helps me to lay down my old life to serve HIM.

 

• Do you anguish over your family’s relationship with JESUS?
• Do you want your neighbors and friends to believe in JESUS as their Savior?
• Are you willing to put your old life to the side so people can see JESUS through you today?

Ingenuity

Luke 5: ¹⁷ One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. ¹⁸ Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. ¹⁹ When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

²⁰ When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

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“We have a business problem” were the words posed to me that started my wheels turning. I loved solving business problems, the more complex the problem, the better. I pondered solutions for days, even weeks. Finally I came up with a solution and when I implemented it, I received awards and cash!

• There were times when I spent enormous amounts of time thinking of business solutions.
• There were times when I spent huge amounts of time trying to get the company ahead.
• There were times when I put forth large efforts developing complicated business solutions that made wealthy people wealthier.

The paralyzed man’s friends probably came up with a simple plan to go see JESUS who was healing people left and right but they ran into a problem. The crowd was too large. They had to think of something.

I could imagine the quick meeting as they discussed options. “Do you think the roof would support our weight?” “How will we get through the roof?” “Does anyone have any rope or should we use our clothes?” JESUS saw their faith as they implemented their solution.

• GOD wants me to think of ways to bring people to HIM.
• GOD wants me to spend time pondering solutions to bringing lost people back to HIM.
• GOD wants me to spend some time developing solutions to meet the needs of people who are seeking HIM.

“Your sins are forgiven” was the unexpected reward JESUS gave the paralyzed man. Who knows how he got paralyzed in the first place. Was he doing something that he wasn’t supposed to? The Bible does not say. JESUS forgave him and I believe his friends benefited as well. GOD sees any ingenuity I can give HIM.

• Do you have someone who is seeking GOD but they are facing barriers to accepting HIM?
• Do you know someone who is trying to run from GOD?
• Can you ask GOD for HIS ingenious plan to be brought to you so you can begin implementing it today?

Steps to “All is Well”

Jeremiah 22: ³ This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.

⁴ For if you are careful to carry out these commands, then kings who sit on David’s throne will come through the gates of this palace, riding in chariots and on horses, accompanied by their officials and their people. ⁵ But if you do not obey these commands, declares the Lord, I swear by myself that this palace will become a ruin.’”

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I sometimes wonder why problems occur. I mean can’t I simply have a peaceful existence? Can’t I hide in my house, not engaging anyone with problems and just live?

• GOD wants me to actively meet people so I can “Do what is just and right.”
• GOD wants me to meet other people so I can “Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed.”
• GOD wants me to seek other people so I can “Do what is right in the LORD’s eyes” by not being violent to the foreigners, fatherless or widows.

Hiding in my house and waiting to die is a travesty. GOD has bestowed on me gifts and talents that are HIS. HE wants me to use them on other people so that HE can draw people, who have rejected HIM, back to HIS saving graces.

Each and every day, GOD places another opportunity in my face to share HIS love. HE gives me twenty four more hours to seek others around me and to actively engage in what matters to HIM. It is up to me to make the most out of each day.

• Are you actively seeking to grow GOD’s kingdom?
• Do you want all to be well in your life?
• Can you use the next twenty four hours a little more wisely?

Words of Encouragement

Isaiah 35: ³ Strengthen the feeble hands,
    steady the knees that give way;
⁴ say to those with fearful hearts,
    “Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
    he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
    he will come to save you.”

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“Your tie is supposed to line up with your belt and zipper” was the great dressing lesson my uncle gave me. “Use fine sandpaper after the clear coat” was another lesson from another uncle. “Make a loop when stitching your pants” my aunt told me in yet another lesson.

• Sometimes I need help.
• Sometimes I need assistance.
• Sometimes I need someone to teach me.

Many times I really needed help. I mean I ran into situations where I felt lost and could not accomplish what I set out to do. I was faced with problems and sometimes had no way out. Fortunately I was blessed with people I could call.

• GOD says to me “Strengthen the feeble hands” meaning I need to help someone who cannot do for themselves.
• GOD says to me “Steady the knees that give way” meaning I need to support those who cannot stand for themselves.
• GOD says to me “Say to those with fearful hearts, Be strong and do not fear, your GOD will come with vengeance; with divine retribution HE will come to save you.”

Many times I received help and now it is time to be the help. GOD calls me to speak words of encouragement into others so they will continue on HIS wonderful path. HE removes barriers and HE is the only one who can speak blessings into existence. HE shows the way and holds up the weak. GOD wants me to not just talk, HE wants me to “do” and to “be.” GOD wants me to help.

• Are you passing by the weak and feeble?
• Are you dodging those who need your help?
• Can you reach out and help someone in need today?
• Will you ask GOD for more strength to help others?

Throwing Monkey Wrenches

Psalm 14: ¹ The fool says in his heart,
    “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
    there is no one who does good.

² The Lord looks down from heaven
    on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
    any who seek God.
³ All have turned away, all have become corrupt;
    there is no one who does good,
    not even one.

⁴ Do all these evildoers know nothing?

They devour my people as though eating bread;
    they never call on the Lord.
⁵ But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
    for God is present in the company of the righteous.
⁶ You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
    but the Lord is their refuge.

⁷ Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
    When the Lord restores his people,
    let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

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“That pastor didn’t preach right” were the words that came from my lips as I sat in the audience critiquing the sermon. I mean at least I was in church and I was paying attention and I was dressed in this jamming new suit! I quickly wrote that church off as “not holy enough” and stopped going. I wonder what other church I could go to that meets my criteria?

• Sometimes my attitude is the barrier.
• Sometimes the way I think is the cause of a broken plan.
• Sometimes my judgmental actions cause me to not help.

I heard before that if I am not “part of the solution I am part of the problem” and not I see that to be true. When even the slightest complaint crosses my lips about another person or group I am part of the problem. My righteousness quickly turns into soiled diapers or used tampons (sorry for the graphic but that’s what the writer meant). GOD expects me to act different.

• GOD wants me to help the poor rather than creating more hurdles for them.
• GOD wants me to point people to HIM as a refuge rather than believing in themselves.
• GOD wants me to let people know the HE and only HE can restore them to their full glory, not humans.

In order to be part of the solution I must drop any superior thinking and join in. I may not understand what the plan is or even how to solve the problem, but my dependence on GOD will always bring fruit.

• Are you frustrating someone’s plans with your complaints?
• Do you think your complaints about that person or those people are acceptable to GOD?
• Can you become part of the solution by dropping your judgment?

Listening to the Cry for Help

Job 35: ⁹ “People cry out under a load of oppression;
    they plead for relief from the arm of the powerful.

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Bonus this particular year was a little light. I had made plans for that money and it just didn’t materialize. Then I got a request from someone asking to borrow money. “Can’t they just get a job?” was my thought. I pouted and reluctantly handed over the funds. Within days, another person asked for money! “What am I… a bank?”

• Sometimes I blame the oppressed for being oppressed.
• Sometimes I look at the oppressed as the problem.
• Sometimes I think the oppressed could do more for themselves so I would not have to be bothered.

People cry out in different ways and I do understand that I have to be cautious about the schemer. But it seems like there were times where I put my plans over people. What does GOD want from me?

• GOD wants me to seek the lost rather than waiting for them to come to me.
• GOD wants me to be generous to those who HE delivers into my life.
• GOD wants me to add flexibility to my plans so that I can move in the direction HE leads me.

When people cry out for help, I still must use discernment, but have a heart that is willing to make sacrifices rather than stockpile riches. Money is not meant for total comfort, that breeds greed, fear and protection of wealth. Money meets needs and as my cup runs over so should those who are oppressed. I should always expect GOD to deliver people to me who are in need because HE said, “The poor you will always have.”

• Are you listening to the cry of people?
• Are your ears deafened by your own fears and debts?
• Are you busy looking at what others are doing and not being generous?
• Why are you waiting on giving?

Friendly Fear

Job 6: ¹⁴ “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend
    forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

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A few weeks ago I was in a hurry to get to an event. I parked downtown and exaggeratedly paid $2.5 Million for parking. While walking to the door a homeless person stuck her hand out asking for some cash. My excuse for not helping was “I’m in a hurry” so I stuck my hand up and said a small prayer and kept going. This bothered me all while I was at the event. I could not find her afterwards.

• Sometimes I have withheld my kindness for various reasons.
• Sometimes I have rationalized why I should not give to a particular person.
• Sometimes I have determined “this person is scamming me” when I really don’t have the full picture of their life.

I do understand that I cannot cure homelessness, but sometimes I have turned my eyes from them and I say to myself, “I have bills of my own I have to pay.” Then I poke my mouth out when no one turns to help me. How should I act

• GOD wants me to understand that sometimes I could be entertaining an angel and not be aware of it.
• GOD wants me to give sacrificially when HE delivers someone to me.
• GOD wants me to be honored to give when the SPIRIT leads me.

I actually should be seeking those in need but GOD delivers people to me when I don’t feel like being generous. HE wants me to fully understand HE owns everything and I should not get upset at how he distributes HIS wealth. My focus should be on the kingdom and that means helping out friends. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.

• Are you judging that person and have determined they are not “worth” your help?
• Have you elevated their sin above yours?
• Can you take the beam out of your eye that may be blinding you and help people?
• Will you seek GOD’s kingdom out who are in need today?