“I have called you friends.” John 15:15 NKJV

“You are continually changed for better or worse by the power of friendship.”

My thoughts today are about “the power of friendship.”

Real friends are invaluable! There is a needless poverty in the life of any individual who does not experience the strength that comes from the close fellowship and friendship of others. The people you include in your life have a significant and lasting impact on who you become – some for your good, and some not. You should know the difference. Choose friends wisely, treat them kindly.

Strangers might become acquaintances; acquaintances may become friends. There are many people who touch your life as acquaintances, some briefly, a few longer. Not all will become friends that continue and contribute to your life, but cherish those who do. There are those who will become life-long friends, having shared unrepeatable and unforgettable memories together.

I have been wonderfully blessed with a number and quality of friends well “beyond my pay grade.” I could not begin to calculate the measure of their positive and lasting influence on the better part of whatever I have become. So much of who I am is the product of God’s grace and generous friends. The Bible says, “As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.” Proverbs 27:17 NLT. The continuing give and take of real friendships shapes your life, often without your recognizing until much later. Their influence might be gradual or immediate; it might seem casual or purposeful. You are continually changed for better or worse by the power of friendship. See 1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV. Who are the friends who make you better than you would be without them? Who is better because of you in their life?

Friends share life together. The power of friendship is in the times and ways in which you share one another’s lives. Friends are the people with whom you want to share the occasions and celebrations of your life. I find it interesting that in Jesus’ classic story of joyous celebration – the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son – the conclusion of each of the three stories of a common theme is this: “he calls his friends together and says, ‘I am so happy . . let us celebrate!’” Read Luke 15:1-24 Today’s English Version. With whom do you first want to share your successes, or trust with your worries and weaknesses? Your answer reveals the persons who count you as friend. “Friends always show their love. What are brothers for if not to share trouble?” Proverbs 17:17 TEV.

Friends are loyal to one another. A friendship can weather many storms and endure many challenges, but infidelity to that relationship breaks a bond upon which friendship rests. “Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.” Proverbs 18:24 TEV. The power of a friendship is built on appreciation, tolerance, understanding, communication, and generous forgiveness on occasion. I never had a brother (other than friends who have become like brothers and sisters to me), and my much younger sister died in an auto accident when just ten years old, but my family valued loyalty and acceptance of one another as essential virtues. Family and friends came first.

I think the highest honor I am ever paid is when another is glad to say, “Allen is my friend!” Imagine the joy to hear Jesus say, “I have called you friends!” John 15:15 NKJV. Now there is incredible privilege and power in that friendship!

My prayer for you today is that you are secure in God’s love and friendship.

Devotionals acquaintances, change, friends, friendship, influence, John 15:15, loyal, Luke 15:1-24, Proverbs 17:17/18:24/27:17, share life

“Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting.” 1 Corinthians 13:7 CEV

“Recapture a child-like spirit that was once natural to you as a child.”

My thoughts today are about “love as a lifestyle.”

The Bible’s description of love is exactly the way you would want to live – “supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting.” That is the way you started out on this journey of life. The youngest of children is responsive to a mother’s mood, tone of voice, or facial expression. Children are also loyal to their parents, before even knowing the meaning of the word. Mom and Dad come first in their hearts – well at least before others, but maybe after their own little ego-centric selves. And who has more hope than a child, or trust that endures for a longer time? It is just how God made them, and that’s how God made you.

Our task as we grow older is to somehow recapture a child-like spirit that was once natural to you as a child. Didn’t Jesus say, “Anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it?” Luke 18:17 NIV. Can you picture your life as it could be, overflowing with love, simple, unaffected, and pure – “supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting?” How do you recover that innocence of heart and generosity of love?

There is a life-principle revealed in creation that describes God’s design, “plants that yield seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind.” Genesis 1:12 NKJV. In nature, an apple tree produces only apples, never oranges, and in those apples you will find only apple seeds, not seeds of a grapefruit! In nature, that is their nature. That simply means that in nature, God designed things “whose seed is in itself.” God’s answer is not in your need; it’s in your seed.

God placed in you the seed of everything that you were created to be and have. Here’s how that works. It’s simple; sow what you want to harvest. You have the God-given potential to become for others what you desire people to be for you. When you are consistently supportive – understanding, encouraging, forgiving, assisting – in return, you will find all the support you could ever wish to receive. When you are steadfastly loyal, even when you are pulled in another direction – in return, you will find others responding in loyalty toward you.

There is a catch; these good things do not result from separate, single occurrences when you find it convenient and personally profitable to do so. The promise in this principle is based upon a consistent lifestyle. It doesn’t work for you, if you merely do it when you want or to get what you need; but you will receive what you need, if you make love your lifestyle.

Love’s lifestyle is hopeful and trusting. Hope and trust are choices you make as a tangible expression of your loving lifestyle. Why would anyone prefer to choose being hopeless over hopeful? Do you feel better when you give up hope? The world is a pretty dark place to live, if you do not find reason for hope. It’s there if you will set aside your pain and disappointment and look for it. See Jeremiah 29:11 NLT. Both hope and trust begin with your relationship with God, and then are given lovingly to others. “Now this hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts . .” Romans 5:5 NKJV. See Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV.

My prayer for you today is: comprehend the greatness of God’s love and live it freely.

Devotionals 1 Corinthians 13:7, child-like, generosity, Genesis 1:12, hopeful, innocence, lifestyle, love, loyal, supportive, trusting

“Are You not ruler over all . . of the nations?“ 2 Chronicles 20:6 NAS

“Above pride of nation, be loyal as a servant and soldier of the Lord Jesus.”

My thoughts today are “about God and governments.”

As we celebrate our nation’s birthday and heritage, it seems an appropriate time to consider present world realities. You cannot listen to the news even a little without wondering and worrying about the things happening around the globe.

And what is happening? Global politics, accusations and threats from world leaders, heads of governments strutting across the world stage with boast and bravado, bitter political and religious differences, growing terrorism and brutal violence, ideological alliances and fearful attempts to balance military powers, international rivalries and jealousies, lust for power with the threat of nuclear and biological weapons, apparent impotence of most treaties, truces, and international sanctions, as well as angry, military hostilities in too many diverse locations – all combine to create concern for today and uncertainty for the days ahead. Can governments provide the remedy?

Conflicting voices and partisan opinions tell you the solution to all of this is your vote for their candidate or political party, each one promising you greater security and prosperity for yourself and family. Isn’t that what every citizen wants, whatever their nationality, language, religion, economy, or governmental system? But has that ever worked yet?

Where is God in all of this? Here’s what the Bible says. “He made from one man every nation . . having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation.” Acts 17:26. Ultimately political summits do not shape the geography of countries. Nor do political leaders alone determine the future of nations. God does! Your informed vote in the political process is important; your faith in God and fervent prayer is yet more consequential and powerful – more far reaching to influence the fate of nations. “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 NIV. See 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV.

God caused Israel’s oppressors to fund their exodus from captivity with Moses. Exodus 3:21. Generations later, God opened the heart of Cyrus, King of Persia, to return Israel’s captives to Jerusalem. Ezra 1:1.  In more recent history, was it the world’s nations that carved out territory and national boundaries for Israel in 1948, again returning the Jewish people to their homeland? Or was that the hand of God, and His promise to Israel from centuries before? Job confidently declared, “God makes nations great, and He destroys them; He enlarges nations, and disperses them.” Job 12:23-25 NIV.

Here is the sum of this matter of security and prosperity in this day and world. “I will both lie down in peace and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8. God promised every generation, “For unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder . . of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end . . the passionate commitment of the Lord Almighty will guarantee this!” Isaiah 9: 6-7. Is it God, or governments? I will go with God! See Philippians 3:20

My prayer for you is: above pride of nation, be loyal as a servant and soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Devotionals global realities, Governments, loyal, national boundaries, national heritage, nations, political parties, prosperity, security, spiritual heritage, vote