What Kind Of Friend Are You?

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

Friends are very important. To be a friend you need to be friendly. Sometimes friends can disappoint us. We are not to put our total trust in them. Guess who is our very best friend? Jesus. That is right. He will not unfriend you ever. He can be trusted. He is not moody or fickle. He puts you first. He understands your heartbreaks and pains. Too bad earthly friends are not fail proof like our savior. Indeed the old hymn 'What A Friend We Have In Jesus' is so true.

Who is your best friend? Is it Jesus? I tried to teach our sons through the acronym J.O.Y. that Jesus was first, others second, and themselves last. This sort of slaps the worlds' view in the face. Look out for number one. Go for the gusto! For a believer there should be no question that Jesus is your best friend and should be the one you keep a daily morning appointment with before dashing out the door.

If you remember to think more highly of others right after Jesus of course, you will be a much better friend, and have a fulfilled life. Start setting up that appointment with your best friend each day!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I thank you for being there when the world seemingly has run out. When hurts come you are there in the midst of them. I choose to make you my best friend. In Jesus' name. Amen.

New Friends, Old Friends!

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

If you do not speak up to strangers you may never make friends. I have found this to be true that someone has to make the first move to speak up. For instance, in the locker room at Redstone Arsenal recently I said hi to a young lady and ended up talking fifteen minutes and found out she was new to the post and her husband was active duty. Basically no friends or connections yet. I gave her my card(even if you do not have a job you can have cards made up) and talked to her about Moms in Prayer since I found out she had children at home. I look forward to hopefully hearing from her.

If you feel lonely sometimes you have to take the initiative to be first in calling someone or sending a card.  Don't always wait for others to contact you. There is a saying "Make new friends and keep the old one is silver and the other gold!" That is so true. Don't get cliquish and not include others. Look for hurting or lonely people because they are everywhere. Sometimes a smile is all it takes to brighten someone's day. 

Show God's love wherever you are today. Open a door for someone at a store. Let someone in front of you in line. Pay it forward perhaps in a drive thru. Give an unexpected gift to a friend. Call your mom if she is still alive, or your dad. Send a card to someone. Now go spread friendliness!

PRAYER: Thanks so very much Lord for helping me show your love to others. Thank for helping me love even the unlovable. I choose to be kind and nice and do it because it makes you happy. In Jesus' name. Amen.

FRIEND OF SINNERS?

Jesus is, are you? Guess what? We are all sinners! "Oh but no way my sin is not nearly as bad as so and so. Do you know what they did?" Hey God does not like that self righteous attitude either. There aren't good sins and worse sins. It is all sin.

There are people that think homosexuality is the ultimate sin or murder or adultery. Show me where in the Bible it says that?  Instead of condemning those caught in these "worse" sins we need to stop judging and start praying. Isaiah 64:6(NIV) says ' All of us have become like one who is unclean,and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags, we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.'

Romans 3:23(NIV) reminds each of us when we start to look down on others 'for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.'

Take a moment and clean yourself up. I do not mean to take a bath but mentally stop and think and confess those things to God that keep you from being closer to Him. Do not worry or condemn others. Point the finger at yourself for just a moment. 

1 John 1:9(NIV) 'If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.'

PRAYER: Father each day I need to come to you in my quiet time and cleanse myself from the things I have said or dense that have not pleased you. I need to focus on working on myself and not trying to fix everyone else. Help me to pray and not judge.I am thankful you forgive us and forget our sins. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

THE F WORD

Made you look! I am doing a new respectful use of the F word by thinking of all the wonderful clean uplifting F words. Don't wait for society to think of them. The real F word has become slang and almost accepted in society. It should not be said by anyone as it is so crass, crude, and vulgar. But society has stooped to desensitizing the populace little by little to the point that sometimes we forget what is wrong and right and bad or good. Cursing becomes normal. Let's start a new normal.

The good "F words" are Faith, freedom, fun, fearless, forgiveness,first, and friend to name just a few. I challenge you to think of more.

We have "faith" in God and trust that He is watching over us and hears our prayers.

"Freedom" is a gift from God and only Satan or his demonic powers try to keep us in bondage.

"Fun" is the word to describe what a life lived for Christ is. Once again our enemy the devil will try to make you feel like the life lived for Christ is boring and you can't do anything.

"Fearless" meaning we have no reason to fear what is around the bend as God is in control and He wants you to cast your cares on Him.

"Forgiveness" is what Christ does for us. If you sincerely repent of your sins he offers forgiveness. We too are to forgive others and not hold grudges.

 

"First" is what God should be in your life.

"Friends" are so important. Jesus is our best friend or should be. When our youngest son was just a wee little boy he would always tell us he loved us "one less than God". From the mouth of babes.

So you see all there are many wonderful words starting with the letter F found in the
Bible. Our speech needs to be gracious as if seasoned with salt it says in Colossians 4:6(NIV).

The Bible uses another F word for the time Jesus died on the cross His
last words in John 19:30 were "It is finished! " Now we who are alive
wait for His return.

Is Jesus your friend? Do you have faith? Are you free in Christ? Do
you realize God will forgive your sins? Do you realize you have
mouthing to fear? Do you know a life lived for Jesus is fun!

If you do not know Him why not ask Him into your heart today? He is your Friend that sticks closer than a brother.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for providing all good things. Thank you Father
for forgiving me when I mess up. I choose this day to not enjoy the
sins of this world but to have fun in the body of Christ. In you I put
my trust. In Jesus name. Amen.

NOTE: For the past 8 days I had been on vacation and when I post my email and blogs I do not have my "Address Book" stored in my IPAD so if any of you missed my devotion during this time and care to read it you can check it out at "www.godslemonadestand.blogspot.com". Thanks again for choosing to start your day with the words God gives me to write.

 

JEALOUS? HURT? SAD? BITTER?

 

These emotions do not originate with God but most of us at one time or another had experienced them. Many times the "flesh" gets in the way of Gods' blessings to us. If you tend to focus on things on "this earth" more than the things of God then it is easier to let your emotions get out of control.

It is a good thing to remember that God is our best friend and He cares about things in your life you are going through. If a friend has disappointed you God is there to pick you up. When you experience various losses in life, once again, God is the answer. Envious of others possessions, talents, or money then tell that to God and ask Him to help deliver you from that.

All the emotions listed in the title above definitely are not given by God. Satan, the great liar, destroyer, and deceiver, loves to come against us and get us angry, depressed, in despair, jealous of others, or allow us to experience hurt feelings. Making a conscious effort to think on things "above" is one of the greatest cures for these negative emotions. Christ unites and Satan divides.

Colossians 3:2(NIV) reminds us to 'set your mind on things above not on earthly things.' to set your mind it is necessary to get into the word of God. Do not pick up TV Guide to see what is on television or your favorite gossip magazine but instead make it a point daily to saturate your mind with God's word in the Bible. As stated in previous devotions, if you have no clue as to where to begin and you find the Bible to be a scary, intimidating historical book, start by reading the Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament. Today is the 28th so read Proverbs 28 and tomorrow read Proverbs 29 and so forth. After you run out of chapters there then go to the book of John in the New Testament, and start with John chapter 1. Pray for God to give you a hunger for His word.

Next pray daily. Prayer is just talking to God. No "thees", or "thous" are necessary to get Him to hear you. Prayer is hotline to God. Let Him hear from you daily. Do not just pray over a meal but make a time to share what is on your heart with Him. In Luke 18:1(NIV) it reminds us to 'pray and NEVER give up.'

Soon if you make it a daily practice to 'talk to God' and read His word the emotions listed above should fade away. If you feel them arising again ask God to help you defeat the enemy who is causing these in your life. Focus on God.

Romans 12:2(NIV) says

'Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.' PRAYER: Lord forgive me when I have listened to the world instead of to you. I know the cure for most everything is to trust in you and live for you. The things of earth pale in comparison to your glory and your mighty power. Thank you Lord for hearing my prayer. In Jesus' name. Amen. Click on link and praise God in song: http://youtu.be/lcxKRsn-hGc

HUGS!!

 Recently I was in a coffee shop and observed two close female friends hugging as a greeting. This got me to thinking about when we go to heaven and get a  'God hug'. Handshakes are more formal and you see men mostly doing that or business associates but a hug is something special and shows intimacy between friends or family. God will be the greatest hugger ever. No formal handshaking for Him.

 In church and Bible study people often exchange hugs with dear friends but even at some churches I have attended you feel comfortable giving a 'God hug' to those around you during greeting time instead of the traditional handshake. There was allot of hugging going on a few days ago at our son and new daughter in law's wedding as people were happy to see each other and greeted by hugging.
 Think how neat a hug makes you feel from a loved one or a friend, then imagine those people out there that have no friends at all. There are people out there like that,extremely lonely folks who would give anything to be hugged. The saying goes "if you want to be a friend you have to show yourself friendly" so do not wait for someone to always make the first move. Talk to people and get to know them. I have made my friends in many neat 'God thing' ways. Think of ways you could be a friend to someone who needs one or if you are the one needing that friend why not make the first move.

Now back to that 'God hug' from God himself someday. God loves us with an everlasting love. He is ready to wrap His arms around you. In Matthew 11:28 it says "Come to me all you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest."  Mark 6:34 says "When Jesus arrived and saw a huge crowd he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.So he began teaching them many things.
Are you in need of a touch from God today? God loves you. All you need do is call on Him.

 PRAYER: Lord God I thank you for the love and comfort only you can give. When I start feeling sorry for myself help me to learn to reach out to someone who seems lonely or to call a friend. Help me show God's love to those you put in my path daily. In Jesus name. Amen.

Further reading: Psalm 23

REJECTION

This word alone sounds hurtful and evokes pain for many. Friends reject us, spouses can reject us, bosses can reject us, co workers can reject us. For those who have never felt the sting and pain of rejection,rejoice! It is awful. To be 'put on the shelf' is a hurtful, painful thing. Sometimes you can not get away from the feeling. It takes time for the wound to heal.

The good news is that people may disappoint but God never does. He sticks closer than a brother. There is a verse in Psalm 118:16 that say " The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid,what can man do to me?"  Still humanly it is hard to endure rejection by anyone. It is only with God's help that we can emerge victorious and not be bothered by this and trust God to get you through it.  Romans 8:31 says "if God be for us who can be against us.". Psalm 56:4 tells us " in God whose word I praise, in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me." Proverbs 19:11 says "a man's wisdom gives him patience. It is to his glory to overlook an offense." Luke 6:27 says "love your enemies and do good to those who hate you." Now that is a tall order and only through the power of God's love inside of you are you able to do this supernatural act.

You have to give up thinking you want to get back at someone, and simply pray for them. Matthew 5:44 tells  us to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Remember when Jesus was being crucified upon the cross and he said "Father forgive them for they know not what they do"(Luke 23:34). How many of us could react that way when being hurt or tortured? Not too many. Human nature says "lash back" and God's nature says "love and forgive and move on".

When we go through the 'valleys' in life that make us want to give up God is there to get us back up to the mountain top. Remember he alone will see you through and has a brighter tomorrow waiting.

PRAYER: Father you are my best friend, my comforter, my restorer, my redeemer and I thank you for lifting me up out of the miry pit at times. Thank you for the lessons I learn in the valley that I can learn from to help others who are hurting later. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link for wonderful worship song:

http://youtu.be/A9Ya7ryNob4

CHARGE ON DESPITE SETBACKS

Everyone has gone through something one time or another in their life. No one is perfect. The enemy likes to get us to dwell on our problems and makes us feel at times there is no way God could love us or even people for that matter. If we let our mind fester with these poisonous thoughts then we will be defeated and lose our peace. Keep pursuing Christ.

We are into the 2nd month of a brand new year so make this the time to get serious about letting go of sins that drag you down or wrong thinking that hinders you. When the world runs out God is there. When friends misunderstand you God is there. When you feel like no one cares, God is there. When you feel self pity creeping up, God is there.

Run to Him. He is the God of second chances, third chances and on it goes. Nothing you can do shocks him. He has not said,"This person is a real scum bag and beyond hope. Get them out of my sight!" No He wants sinners to come and sit at His feet. "We all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory." (Romans 3:23) We all have occasionally said the wrong thing and hurt someone or were misunderstood. The people we hurt may not want to forgive but God will always forgive. Let it go and let God heal you from the inside out.

So when life throws you a curve ball, so to speak, you do not quit, you do not run and hide but you pick yourself up and keep going. God can use everything in your life to get you closer to Him. Charge on and keep going. Ask God for help. He will never fail or forsake you. Hebrews 13:5-6 says "Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things that you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you, nor forsake you,' so that we may boldly say, 'The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me."

PRAYER: Lord I thank you that when I fall you are there to pick me up. When the world runs out on me you do not. Thank you for being my forever friend. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link below to worship the Lord in song.

http://youtu.be/rg89UOAftXM