Tag Archive | friend

Abide and Conquer

Loneliness seems to plague man in a world that becomes ever more secluded, in contrast to My plan for family and community.

I created man to love–an expression of Myself–to give love and receive love. And yet, so many seek or fall into isolation, declining for lack of love. Why?

Why in a world so teeming with life, would you avoid life?

Why, in your hunger for love, would you reject love?

You have armored yourself against love for fear of rejection, fear of hurt and the unknown. But what you haven’t known is Me, for perfect love casts out fear.

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love.” I John 4:18

I AM perfect Love.

If in Me you abide, you are never alone. And though man may reject, I will never neglect the one who seeks to know Me.

“Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we know and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” I John 4:15-16

Know Me on the inside–not from afar.

From afar I AM only Deity, one you don’t understand. Invite Me inside and we will abide and you may call Me, Friend.

“and the scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness’; and he was called the friend of God.” James 2:23

“Jesus answered him, ‘If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” John 14:23

Never alone.

Then you will understand that it is the work of the enemy to divide and conquer. But you can abide and conquer him. Conquer fear with love, for perfect love casts out fear.

Have no fear–Perfect Love is here…

I AM Perfect Love.

“‘I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more, but you will see me; because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.'” John 14:18-21

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.'” John 15:10-14

“Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God; for God is love.” I John 4:7-8

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” II Thessalonians 2:16

Be A Friend

Apr22

I was often ridiculed for keeping company with sinners, but that is where the harvest is. Look up–the fields are white; the harvest is ready. The time to reap is now!

Do not fear their faces. If they stare back at you, blankly, it is simply because they do not know.

You have been blessed with the wisdom of God, and the understanding of the Holy Spirit. Your eyes have been opened to the secrets of the Kingdom. You have been made to know and understand the deep mysteries of God. To the one who is not enlightened, well they are simply dumbfounded and don’t know how to respond.

What is there to be afraid of?

If they reject what you have to say, they are not rejecting you, but Me.

Do not be overly eager for the Kingdom.

First

Be a friend.

Leave the rest up to Me. I will put the right questions in their hearts. The Holy Spirit awaits with the answer within you. Your job is to look up; for the fields are white with harvest, and the time is now!

Leave the rest up to Me.

“And as he sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”” Matthew 9:10-13

“For he has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fulness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” Ephesians 1:9-10

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” I Corinthians 4:1-2

“And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you.” John 14:16-17

“See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” I John 3:1

“Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see how the fields are already white for harvest. He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” John 4:35-38

“And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Luke 10:2

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:12-13

Let Us Pray

Mar29

Prayer is engaging Me in conversation with you, by initiating the conversation; it is not about reciting your list. Come to Me and, yes, with praise and thanksgiving, make your requests known, but don’t stop there and leave; let’s talk about what’s on your heart. I would like the opportunity to share My heart with you as well.

Have you ever stopped to consider that I enjoy talking to you? A conversation involves more than one person speaking.

Involve Me…

I do more than listen–

I speak
I direct
I teach
I encourage

and yes, I answer prayer.

Are you not more inclined to assist the needs of one who is your friend? When you build a friendship–relationship, a deep bond forms and you would go to great lengths to be of service to your friend.

I call you friend.

And I would, and do go to great lengths to be of service to you.

Will you reciprocate for me?

Let us discuss your heart, your life–your dreams. Let’s have a conversation, and we’ll talk about your needs and desires, your requests, your friends, and your friend’s requests and we’ll call it prayer.

And then, we’ll talk about My needs and desires and thoughts for your life, and plans, and we’ll call it conversation.

And

I’ll call you Friend!

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2

“Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7

“He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.” Proverbs 22:11

“and the scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness”; and he was called the friend of God.” James 2:23

The Extra Mile

Mar10

Clamor and evil speaking must cease. For if you are willing to follow Me, then you must be willing to think like Me; speak like Me. In loving your neighbor as yourself you submit to that person’s heart, conceding that you will care for it as your own; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cares for it.

Will you…

Go the extra mile to care for the heart of a friend?

How about the heart of one you don’t even know?

I created him too, will you love him even as you love Me? I expect this from you, just as you expect Me to care for you…

And I do

Oh, I really do–care for you!

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth; but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” I Jn. 1:5-7

“A disciple is not above his teacher, but every one when he is fully taught will be like his teacher.” Luke 6:40

“For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body.” Eph. 5:29-30

“Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.” I Cor. 10:24

“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him.” Rom. 15:1-2

“Make love your aim–” I Cor. 14:1a

A True Friend

Feb22

A pristine lake is beautiful to behold, the surface not marred by wind; who knows what lies within, for when you look upon the surface, you only see yourself reflected back. To truly know, one needs to go beneath the surface; what lies within? So it is with people; to truly know someone, you must be a friend and look beyond the surface, the superficial. Look not to see yourself, but to truly–

see them
know them
love them

This is the mark of a true friend.

I AM your True Friend.

I know your heart, for I created it. I know what lies within–you need not hide from Me, for I know. I will take the pain and I will take the heartache and I will replace them with My Love.

It is My Love that remains–Everlasting!

“The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.” Ps. 25:14

“But truly God has listened; he has given heed to the voice of my prayer.” Ps. 66:19

“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. the glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.” Is. 35:1-2

“A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Ez. 36:26

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his lovingkindness is everlasting.” Ps. 118:1 NAS