True Friendship

Scripture:

Matthew 26:47-50 (NASB)

While He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came up accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people.  Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him.”  Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.  And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.

Devotional:

John 15:13 (NASB) “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”  Friendship is a term we loosely throw around.  It seems to me that being called a friend is a little better than just acquaintances.  Instead of saying this person is an acquaintance we simply say they are a friend.  As a result we have friends everywhere.  But what does it really mean to be a true friend?  In John 15:13 it states that there is no greater friend than someone willing to die for you.  When we think of friendship we think of loyalty, devotion, acceptance, and love.

Jesus gives us His unconditional friendship no matter what.  Look at Judas who betrayed Jesus unto death.  Despite this even as He is being betrayed Jesus calls Judas a friend.  I think most of us would slap him or have something nasty to say.  Instead Jesus still gave His love and friendship.  The best thing is that He does so with each of us as well.  It doesn’t matter what we do, who we hurt, or what happens.  Jesus is ever faithful, ever loving, and ever caring.  He is our unconditional friend no matter what.  We need to rethink the definition of friendship and realize its true depth and meaning.  Are we loyal?  Are we devoted?  Do we accept with no conditions?  Do we love unconditionally?  Are you a ‘true friend?’  Jesus is…

To Live For Christ...

Scripture:

Philippians 1:21-26 (NIV)

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!  I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.  Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

Devotional

I remember a comment I made when I was a teenager.  I told a friend, and mentor at the time, of mine that I would willingly die for Christ.  Oh how much easier it would have been to die for Jesus, not that the opportunity ever presented itself.  After commenting on the willingness to die for Jesus I was asked if I was willing to live for Jesus.  That threw me for a loop.  After all it says in the Bible what greater love is there than to lay down one’s own life for another.

Reflecting back I see how living for Christ makes all the difference.  It is easy to die but much harder to live.  While we are here we strive and struggle to make a difference.  We work to make this a better place for those around us.  Our goals should be to win souls for Christ.  It is our duty to encourage one another and uplift one another in Christ.  Recently I was feeling down in the dumps but a simple phone call from a friend cheered me up.  The question to ask is not “are you willing to die for someone, Christ.”  Instead ask “are you willing to live for them?”  It is easier, and much better, to be in heaven with Jesus.  There is no suffering or pain in Heaven.  Here we struggle and deal with hardships and pain.  Are you ready to live for Christ?  Are you ready to make a difference?  After all that is why we are here…

What The Future Holds

Scripture:

James 4:13-17 (NIV)

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”  As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.  If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Devotional:

One thing we know for certain is that the future is uncertain.  People throughout history have sought out those who can ‘see the future.’  We look for fortune tellers and profits to tell us what is to come.  We make plans all the time for our future.  We set short term and long term goals.  We ask our teenagers what they want to do when they get older.  They plan for college and eventual careers.  As we grow older we plan for our retirement. 

When planning for the future do we include God?  How many times do we plan it all on our own instead?  God is all knowing and wants the best for us.  Jesus used a parable about a man who built new storage buildings for all his grain and crops.  He built places to store his wealth for future usage.  Jesus went on to say he was foolish for that very night his life would be demanded of him, Luke 12:16-20.  When we plan for our future we should do so seeking God’s guidance.  We can rest assured no matter what the future brings God is with us.  He is in control, he is our provider.  We should plan for the future but we need to include God in those plans.  We should not be surprised when the unexpected happens.  After all we do not know what the future holds for us.  The good news is that God knows and He is preparing the way for us.  

Exercise The Mind, Body & Spirit

Scripture:

1 Timothy 4:6-11 (NIV)

If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.  Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.  For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.  This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.  That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

Command and teach these things.

Devotional:

How often do we say we are out of shape or that we need to lose weight?  I remember after stating I am out of shape a reply came back stating ‘round is a shape.’  We hear of all the benefits exercise gives us.  It is good for our heart, muscles, and can relieve stress build up.  Paul tells us that exercise has a little benefit.  There is something that has even greater benefit for us.  One simple training program will give benefit to not only in this life but has beneficial benefits for all eternity.  Godly training will not only help here and now but it will have lasting effects for all eternity.

We will never know the full effects of Godly Training.  If we build on our faith and grow spiritually we will see its fruits not only in our lives but when we reach heaven as well.  You never know who will join you in the heavenly realm because of your spiritual discipline.  How much richer heaven could be because of the lives you touch?  My life was changed because of a hand full of people who were dedicated to the Lord.  I will never know how many lives I may touch that might be changed because of me, or more accurately what God does through me.  Not only is my life richer and more fulfilled by a Godly Training but others can benefit from it too…