I would not say that I have very many friends. I know a lot of people. I help a lot of people. But if I really had trouble or needed someone to talk to, I would have a very short list of people I would call or show up on their door step. It has always been easier for me to deal with my own struggles by myself and sometimes share them with God. That’s not how God wants me to be, that’s how I have done it…on my own. Is anyone else guilty of this, like me????? I’m working on this area of my life. I have opened up more to friendship than I ever have before. This is still hard for me, but I know God put me here to be a friend so that people can see Him in ME. That’s weird for me to think.
I don’t have a problem talking to people in elevators, or holding a door for an elderly person, or talking to a child. My kids find me embarrassing because I “talk to strangers”. I’ve been guilty of carrying someone’s groceries for them, paying someone’s bill (when they didn’t expect it) and even taking time to listen to their “life story” when I had other things I needed to do. I’ve taken people with me when I have gone out to run errands, just because they needed to get out of the house. I’ve taken groceries and left them on doorsteps, mystery cakes have shown up at friend’s houses, bought tanks of gas when a young mom couldn’t get to work that week and taken a meal to someone just because. I like to look for ways to share blessings with people. I ask God to show me who needs a blessing and He always does. It’s a lot of fun to look for random acts of kindness to do for someone.
I can’t say that I knew these people very well. Some I did, some I had never met before. So, if I am to live my life like Jesus, were these people my friends? I think so. Each time I loved on someone I got the opportunity to share Jesus with them. Most of the time the response would be, “but you don’t have to”, or “but you don’t even know me”, or “How did you KNOW?” My response was always a smile and the response that they were loved. They would ask for the source of that love and I would get a chance to share what God had done for me. I hope they told other people how God blessed them that day. Hopefully they would do something for someone else and pay it forward.
Jesus “paid it forward” for us. There is nothing that we can say or do that will be greater or harder for us to do than He already did. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:13-14) Jesus laid down His life for us. He was there for us even before we knew we needed him. When we are sad and need a friend, He is there. When we had a bad day and just want to scream and cry, He is there. When we need a hug and some comfort, He is there. Because we know JESUS, He is there for us.
What about those people who don’t know him yet? How will they find out? Who will teach them what it looks like to be a friend of Jesus? Maybe it’s time to lay down your life and look for someone to help. It’s not about dying, it’s about living. It is very good to have Christian friends and Christian influences. It is very good to hang out with people who can make your spiritual life stronger. It is also VERY good to look for opportunities to share your faith with someone who doesn’t know Jesus yet. Non-Christians are already watching the way you live. Why not teach them to follow Jesus too? Then they won’t be a “non-Christian” anymore. J
SHARE YOUR FAITH. IT’S CONTAGIOUS AND THE WORLD NEEDS SOME OF IT!!!
I found a couple of songs for you guys today. Give them a listen and tell me what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyeyhOdgyYM&feature=fvwrel Love Her Like Jesus by Casting Crowns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js_hgkHQ6Bc Crazy Love by Hawk Nelson
If we have truly been changed, we have to give it away. How can you do that this week?
Let’s Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, We thank you for being our friend. For always being there for us even when we forget to turn to you. Thank you for the friends you give us to sharpen our faith. Thank you for the opportunities we have to share our faith with others. We know we need to be in fellowship with Christian friends, but show us who you need us to be friendly to, to share your love with. We are willing to be your hands and feet. We don’t want to be snobby, or shy. We don’t want to take on bad habits to fit in. We want the world to see YOU in our lives and want the love that we have. Thank you for paying the price for our freedom from sin even before we knew we needed you. We love you Lord. Amen
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For the A Daughter’s Worth Bible Study, you will need the book, your Bible, pen or pencil, a highlighter and a quiet place. You can order the book right through our website from clicking the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage.
If you are interested in joining us in our GCH:decaf Teen Girls Ministry, please click the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage. Just follow the instructions on the form and hit submit. We’ll be happy to add you to one of our Online Bible Study Groups! Our new study is A Daughter’s Worth! Please email megan@girlfriendscoffeehour.com for more information