Promise for Today - This Kind of Friend

Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have! And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.
Romans 4:18-19 NLT

Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
Romans 4:20 - Romans 5:11 NLT

Prayer:

Father,
           Help us to be friends who don't let You down. Ones who won't forget all that You've done for us. Friends who hasten to answer when You call. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Are You There?

Like a cool drink of water when you're worn out and weary is a letter from a long-lost friend.
Proverbs 25:25 The Message

Have you ever been dry in your journey with the Lord? Have you ever been parched from the heat of the battle? Or worn out from wielding your sword, and weary from holding up your shield of faith? So busy fighting off the onslaught of the enemy that you couldn't even look to see if anyone was fighting with you? And half afraid to look in case there wasn't anyone there?

If so, then you know what it's like when you call out and hear a friend's voice answer. It IS like a cool drink of water; refreshing, strengthening, renewing, solidifying your place in the fight. Providing hope that enables you to stand when you've done all you can to stand, pushing you toward the Father, for the battle is His and the victory is ours!

So whether you're the caller or the callee - reach out! Someone needs to know you're there.

Prayer:

Father,
            Cause us to be ever mindful of those around us who are fighting every day, spiritually, physically, emotionally. Let us see with Your heart of compassion so we may call out to them...just like You call to us. Let our words be words of hope, just as Yours are to us...Come all ye who are heavy laden and I will give you rest... Help us to not be weary in well-doing. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

The Love of Counsel

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.
Proverbs 27:9 NLT

I find it interesting that in this proverb, a friend's counsel is compared to perfume and incense, scents used to soothe one's soul. Well, more than one soul, for sure. Do you know that in the US alone the scented candle industry is valued at over 3 billion dollars? Yes, BILLION...

We love freshening our homes and offices with scents that are pleasing to our olfactory senses. We use them for aroma therapy and stress reduction. There is just something so comforting about the combined light and fragrance that invites you to come in, sit down and relax...

In the same way, when you're in need of a true friend's counsel, there is nothing sweeter or more loving. Trusted counsel is comforting in its ability to keep us safe, to help break down the walls of stress we build, to keep our hearts from hardening. That's what love does.

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for faithful friends - those You've entrusted to us and us in return to them. Thank You for those with arms that hug us close, hands that reach out in support, and for those whose hearts beat in time with our own to lend strength for those days that need help. Thank You, Father, for these friends You've so lovingly given us as Your heart and hands extended. Bless them, Father, richly and often. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends Together

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 

Romans 12:10 NLT

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 

1st Thessalonians 5:11

Hearts that have known and shared good times and bad, though separated by years or distance, meld together in love and friendship all over again when reunited. It is only because of the perfect love of Jesus gifted to imperfect beings. And what a blessing it is! Let's not ever take it for granted.

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for the people You place in our lives to love us and to teach us to love. Thank You for melding our hearts together with bonds that are not easily broken. Thank You for those who walk beside and strengthen us in the tough times and who rejoice with us in victory. Open our spiritual eyes so that we never miss an opportunity to share You and Your love. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends

Now, this means that when we come together and are side by side, something wonderful will be released. We can expect to be co-encouraged and co-comforted by each other’s faith!
Romans 1:12 The Passion Translation

We went to school together as kids but didn't really run in the same circles. About 10 years ago, there was a high school reunion event that produced a huge response on Facebook. It was then that Hope and I connected on FB when we discovered we had both grown to be followers of Christ. In the 10 years since then, we have shared our faith, our struggles, fought battles together, prayed earnestly for each other, and rejoiced in the many blessings God has bestowed on us!

I had the blessed opportunity to visit with Hope and Dave who I had not seen in almost 50 years! And yet, it was as though we had just had lunch together last week! Not one awkward moment. It was so lovely and loving and a precious time of catching up, with hearts connected as only Jesus can do! 

I am so grateful that they carved out the time on their trip so we could visit face-to-face and heart to heart. I keep thinking about the line from the old song by Michael W. Smith, "And friends are friends forever if the Lord's the lord of them..."  Our promise bears repeating, Now, this means that when we come together and are side by side, something wonderful will be released. We can expect to be co-encouraged and co-comforted by each other’s faith!  

And we were!

Prayer:

Father, 

          Thank You for the gift of friendships that stand the test of time and distance because there is no separation in You. We pray rich blessings on our friends and ask that You continue to keep Your arms wrapped around them. Keep them safe, loving You and loving each other. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - Reaching Out

Like a cool drink of water when you're worn out and weary is a letter from a long-lost friend.

Proverbs 25:25 The Message

Have you ever been dry in your journey with the Lord? Have you ever been parched from the heat of the battle? Or worn out from wielding your sword and weary from holding up your shield of faith? So busy fighting off the onslaught of the enemy that you couldn't even look to see if anyone was fighting with you? And half afraid to look in case there wasn't anyone there?

If so, then you know what it's like when you call out and hear a friend's voice answer. It IS like a cool drink of water; refreshing, strengthening, renewing, solidifying your place in the fight. Providing hope that enables you to stand when you've done all you can to stand, pushing you toward the Father, for the battle is His and the victory is ours!

So whether you're the caller or the callee - reach out! Someone needs to know you're there.

Prayer:

Father,

          Cause us to be ever mindful of those around us who are fighting every day, spiritually, physically, emotionally. Let us see with Your heart of compassion so we may call out to them...just like You call to us. Let our words be words of hope, just as Yours are to us...Come all ye who are heavy laden and I will give you rest... Help us to not be weary in well-doing. In Jesus' Name we pray.  Amen

The Common Denominator

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT

I met with some friends for lunch - all women - but with very diverse lives and backgrounds. I knew enough about each of those women to know that they were all facing huge challenges of one kind or another... but we had a great time. After all, how can you go wrong with Jesus as your common denominator (and the added enjoyment of Gringo's green sauce & chips on the side)?

What I witnessed at the lunch were Christians at their best. Some of them were really struggling with life-changing issues and yet, I watched as they applauded and affirmed a baby Christian, and strengthened one whose way has been steep, and encouraged another who was battle-weary. Warriors of the faith - some 20-, 30- and 40-plus years of walking with the Lord - as excited to hear the discoveries of a new convert as they were to hear of the steadfast faithfulness of the Lord. And each one came away more focused on who HE IS than on what we aren't - more determined to light our world than to lay back to let someone else do it. All because we made the small, small effort to meet together, to encourage one another...

A little further in the chapter of our text for today, we find these words - Hebrews 10:34b-36, You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. (Emphasis mine)

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for friends and family who will cheer us on and help us to finish the race and not let us give up this close to the finish. Thank You for the good reports in the midst of the battles. We give You praise for those. Help us to strive for even more opportunities to encourage one another, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Thanks to God

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy...

Philippians 1:3-4 NLT

There are days when I am absolutely overwhelmed by God's kindnesses. I am especially aware of His grace and love toward me by the people He has placed in my life... and yes! I mean you!

You know, we don't always understand why we go through some of the things we go through. Many times there doesn't appear to be any kind of rhyme or reason. It used to drive me crazy, but I have learned that if I will look to God for direction and look FOR Him in whatever comes my way, He can - and will - be found. And more often than not, I get through because of one (or more) of you - gifts  God has so kindly given to me.

When He knits our hearts together with His love, it sticks no matter the circumstances that change, the miles that may come between us, or even how much time has passed without a face-to-face visit. 

And some of you, I've never met, and yet, your testimonies of faith and sweet words of encouragement strengthen and minister. So for the times I may not have expressed my thanks properly, please accept it today, along with my heart, because Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy...

Prayer:

Father,

         I lift to You for Your safekeeping my family and all those You have given me. I pray, Father, that You would show them - in a special way - how much You love them and want the best for their lives. Teach us, Lord, to be Your hand extended to those You have placed in our spheres of influence. And let us do it well, with a grateful heart and with much love. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Take His Word for It

If anyone hears what I am saying and doesn't take it seriously, I don’t reject him. I didn't come to reject the world; I came to save the world. But you need to know that whoever puts me off, refusing to take in what I’m saying, is willfully choosing rejection. The Word, the Word-made-flesh that I have spoken and that I am, that Word and no other is the last word. I’m not making any of this up on my own. The Father who sent me gave me orders, told me what to say and how to say it. And I know exactly what his command produces: real and eternal life. That’s all I have to say. What the Father told me, I tell you.
John 12:47-50 The Message

I thank God for those people in our lives who speak truth to us no matter what. We know that we can believe whatever comes out of their mouth. In today's idiom, we can 'take it to the bank.' Their words are gold.

Isn't it great to have friends like that? Even if sometimes they say things we don't like, we still know that what they're saying is true. We believe them and we can take action based on their word. Regular folks with skin on. Good as gold - take my word for it.

So then that begs the question, If the Creator of Heaven and Earth, Almighty God, King of kings, and Lord of lords, tells us something - even goes so far as to write it down - how is it that we have a hard time believing what He says?!? Jesus tells us that He only speaks what the Father tells Him to speak. That would be the Father - God - the same God who CANNOT lie... and yet, oftentimes we respond to His Word and His promises as though they were counterfeit. As if there's no weight behind them, so then we don't take action based on His Word. We don't believe His promises made to us.

We don't take His Word for it...

Prayer:

Father,
           Forgive us for willfully choosing rejection. This day we repent and turn our hearts and minds toward You only and what You have to say to us. We want to take Your Word for everything. Let all other words fall on deaf ears. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen