"Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice" - Proverbs 27:9 (NIV).
Jesus was a man of friends. Once in his work he was prompted to turn around when he mentioned, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up" (John 11:11). He would later go on to raise his friend from the dead (vv 38-44).
Besides, there were other friends of Jesus a number of whom he walked with daily. There were the 12 disciples. "These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him" (Mathew 10:2-4).
Jesus's friends crossed gender. There was of course Mary and Martha who lived in Bethany, siblings of Lazurus. It is well noted, "Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus" (John 11:5).
The friendship Jesus had were not purposeless. There was a mission about them- as they all knew he was there to serve his father in heaven. We in life can also have friendship across the divide.Yet as we see in the case of Jesus, our friendships should be intentional by drawing such to Him.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, I thank you for the gift of friendship and I pray that I purpose to point to all my friends to you as Lord and Saviour, this I pray in Jesus's name.
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03/05/2024 - 04/05/2024 All day“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)
Every now and then one could be gripped with fear because of certain events sweeping before one’s life journey. It could be the finances that are stretched and incomes are no longer certain. Perhaps it is one’s job under threat. Perhaps it is a dreaded health report card. There could be fear about outcome of a matter under judgment and what it might mean to one’s future.
Fear has been elsewhere described as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.” Every life will experience fear at one point. Whenever we are faced with fear it is natural to look for something to grasp on. Sometimes we run for shelter wherever we can find. Perhaps we might seek out a friend for quiet confidence.
But there are those situations when there is no shelter in sight. There are also those cases where those we thought would understand our situation once we share our pain return only hurting and critical feedback. In such moments we might then turn and look within ourselves only to find the energy has all been sapped by this gnawing fear. We feel down and the urge to rise and move on all gone!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10) the word of God through prophet Isaiah assures us. But why? It is because the Lord has been there. He himself was faced with fear before his crucifixion but He looked to God.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote when faced with fear always remember, “Nothing is too hard for Him. He can find a way where there is no way. He can give us the idea that will make all the difference.” Psalm 91:2, says, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” So, when faced with fear, look to God to strengthen you. By looking to Him, the Lord will encourage and lift up your spirit, and make a way out of nowhere!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender to you any fear that is in me for I know by looking up to you, you will always make a way out of nowhere, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
