How To Have A Friend And Be A Friend

It’s a long title, I know. But the point is that true friendship works both ways.

Of course, there are casual friends or acquaintances. They’re important and add variety to our lives; however, we also need close friends, people who know us well and love us anyway.  

Mutual Interests

People can enjoy being together if they agree on things (Amos 3:3). That’s why I enjoy my Christian friends. They understand my scriptural choices and I theirs. We also enjoy places to eat, entertainment, and topics of conversation. I no longer live near a long-time friend, but our telephone conversations still cover these basic areas of interest.   

Encouragement and Understanding

Understanding is a fountain of life, pleasant words are sweet to the soul and bring healing to our bodies (Proverbs 16:22, 24). When I was in a care center after hip surgery, days and nights seemed endless. But kind words and encouragement from friends helped me keep focused on my recovery.

Truthful Communication

It’s good to have someone who can help us face the truth (Proverbs 27:6); however, wise friends do it in such a way as not to crush our spirit (Proverbs 15:4). Remember, life and death are both in the power of the tongue! (Proverbs 18:21)

Help When Needed

We’re not to be concerned only with our own interests, but also the interests of others (Philippians 2:4). An example for me was a friend who volunteered to stay in my guest room and help me the first two weeks I was home from hip surgery. On the flip side, I scheduled other friends to stay with me each afternoon to give her a break.

Take No Offense

A true friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17), but misunderstandings do happen. We are to forgive and bear with one another (Colossians 3:13), but let’s get real. If it’s something you can’t overlook, then talk it over.

Friendships are important to our health. Don’t isolate. Sometimes, when I feel extremely lonely, I’m grateful I can pick up my phone and call a friend.   

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Fresh Hope Each Day

When I became a caregiver for my father, I thanked the Lord for fresh hope each day. Upon waking, my first words were, “Thank you, Lord, for new mercies today.”

I was familiar with Lamentations 3:22-23 long before that, but now it was a life verse:

Because of the loving devotion of the LORD, we are not consumed,

for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!

I took care of Dad for about two and a half years before he passed away. A few years later, I became a caregiver for my husband. I never knew what to expect from day to day, so once again, Lamentations 3:22-23 became my fresh hope.

Even now, it’s my wake-up prayer, though I’m no longer a caregiver. Why am I writing about this now? Because I had a refreshing look at God’s mercies in a Bible study this week, in Psalms.

Psalm 106:43-45 caught my attention. It was talking about the children of Israel, how God delivered them many times, yet they continued to rebel. They’re not the only ones. I’ve seen plenty of that in our day.

I stopped to meditate on Psalm 106:44-45. God chose to continue helping them whenever He heard their cry. He remembered His covenant with them and relented, or had compassion on them, according to the multitude of His mercies.  

I read about “Mercy” in my *Bible dictionary.  I started writing down thoughts of God’s mercies. Here’s my list, but you might think of more:

Answered Prayer/Salvation/Healing

Deliverance from Trouble

Provision, as needed

Love/Kindness/Compassion

Justice/Action on our behalf

Truth/Taught in Scripture

Fellowship/Eternal Life

No prejudice--Salvation for ALL

Restoration, as needed

Protection/Our Good Shepherd

Psalm 107:1 says, “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.”

Psalm 100:4 reminds us to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name.

Maybe these ideas will get you started.

*Mercy, pp. 1106-1108, Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, TN, Copyright 2003.

Pixabay: Tree. Sunrise, Field image; rperucho.                                                                                                    

Who Started Communion and Sunday Worship?

COMMUNION.

The Passover meal had been celebrated from the time of Israel’s EXODUS out of Egypt. Jesus and His disciples celebrated Passover just before His betrayal (Luke 22:7-23). It was at this meal (known also as The Last Supper) that Jesus created a new celebration with only two elements.

First, He took the Passover non-yeast, cracker-like bread, broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, “This is My body broken for you.” He knew He would suffer terrible abuse before He was even crucified (Matthew 27:24-26; 27:27-31).

Next, he took the cup and said, “This is my blood poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28; John 3:16).

But, get this! He also said, “I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:29; Paul’s follow-up, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

His disciples received confirmation of this message after the Resurrection, as Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:10-11). I’m looking forward to His return, are you?

SUNDAY WORSHIP

The Old Testament commanded a holy Sabbath, every seven days (Exodus 20:8-11). Sunday Worship requires a three-day timeline to explain:

1.       Friday afternoon, Jesus died on a Roman cross (Matthew 27:45—46). As Evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea (a rich man and secret follower of Jesus) asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. Nicodemus (another secret follower) brought burial spices, and together they prepared Jesus’ body and laid it in Joseph’s tomb (John 19:38-42).    

 2.       Saturday was the Jewish Sabbath.

 3.       Sunday, at dawn on the first day of the week, certain women went to the tomb where they were shocked! The tomb was open, and they saw an angel who said, “He is not here. He is risen . . . go quickly, tell His disciples . . . He is going ahead of you to Galilee” (Matthew 28:1-7).

Early Christians then started worshiping on the first day of the week, calling it “The Lord’s Day.” First-day worship was also mentioned in Paul’s day (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4).

 I’m thankful to celebrate these two ancient Christian traditions in my spiritual life. How about you?

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