The Friend?

The Friend?

“I don’t like selfish girls!”

Joy was crushed. “Why was this text sent to all my friends...about me?”

But Teresa was mad—didn’t get her way, so—she got even!

 

This was back stabbing—unfair—a jealous lie. The last thing Teresa wanted were

good things for Joy.

Teresa sang one song, “What about me, what about me, what

about me!”

It was her song in the morning, at noon and at day’s end. Selfish people lack humility. They’re all about themselves. They make bad friends. Beware— stay far………………………………  away!

Joy was mad but what could she do? She had to trust God with her reputation. And the people who knew Joy, who knew Teresa—got

it! True friends—remain friends. Why?

“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need”.

Proverbs 17:17

A different sort of friend

Paul persecuted the early Christians. With his permission Christian were stoned to death. “I’ve got to stop Christianity. Put these fanatics in their place. I’m doing God a favor.”

But one day he was blinded by the sight of the glorified Christ and from that day till the day of his beheading he was a friend of God. Paul had changed, overnight! But who would believe?

God had a plan.

Barnabas believed. “Hey Peter, John, James, meet my friend Paul. He’s on fire for Jesus. I’ve been following him…so should you.”

And that was the ticket. No longer looked upon as a traitor—no longer regarded as a murderer—Paul—was one of them.

v  What’s a true friend?

·         Humble

·         Cheers—for you

·         Defends you—no matter what

·         Keeps secrets

Barnabas believed in Paul—promoted him. That’s true friendship.

Barnabas was called “The Son of Encouragement.”  Humble, but oh so loved, the life of Barnabas was all about Jesus…all about others.  He was a friend that stuck with you through the bad—through the good!

Dear Lord, Give me a friend like Barnabas. And Lord, make

me a good friend for others.  Thank you!

A Reputation Lost

A Reputation Lost?

Something was up! Joseph knew it. Heads would turn and whispers were exchanged when he came near.

“Hey, Joseph, get your head out of the sand, your Mary’s pregnant! “

“That’s can’t be true. You’re lying!”

“See for yourself, Joseph. Her belly’s popping.”

Joseph hung his head. Daggers hit his heart. His so called friends were smirking

at him. He was a broken man.  

“So…what are you going to do…marry her anyway? What about your reputation?”

Joseph was cut to the heart. Anger came next. What’ll I do? If I marry her I’ll be called a fool! I’ll be labelled forever!

He knew the rule. A woman caught in adultery should be stoned—to death.

“Lord, I can’t do that. You’re a God of mercy. Oh, Lord, I feel so alone. Please help me!”

The light was incredibly bright, almost blinding. Joseph shaded his eyes while

glow of angel dust filled his room. “Do not be afraid, Joseph. Mary is pregnant with the Messiah. Marry her and call his name Jesus.”

“Oh, Lord, people will still talk. Who will believe? But

I do! I’m going to marry that girl!”

And Joseph took off running and knocked on the door of the girl he loved.

Looking into her dear face, tears welled up. “Mary, I know!”

Mary cried too. “Dear Joseph, you’ve laid down your reputation for me.

Are you sorry?”

Joseph framed her face with his large carpenter hands. “No regrets, Mary." I saw heaven open. I cannot deny God. He has my reputation.  He’ll cover me.  In time… the world will know!”

A man humbled himself before God—and the whole world knows the rest of the story!

Dear Lord, I'll follow you...no matter what they say!

Great People are Humble before God

 

                                                       The Fool

David was outraged! “Who is this Nabal? We were a wall of fire around his shepherds, his flocks. We laid down our lives against invading robbers.

“This is the thanks we get? No sharing in Nabal’s feast

tonight?  Nabal treats me and my men like dirt, the scum of the earth. This means… war!”

But Nabal’s wife heard the news. Abigail loaded up her donkeys with fig and raisin cakes, bread, corn on the cob and lamb stew for David and his men. She sneaked away and met David who was on his way to slaughter all that belonged to Nabal.

Abigail fell down on her face. She had heard of David’s flight from a murderous King Saul. She had heard the stories of his

bravery. She knew, David was a valiant man.

“My lord David, do not take vengeance on my husband. He is a fool, mean and contemptible… so true. God will avenge you. “

David halted, soaked in her wisdom—her loveliness as well. “Such a sweet lady!

How’d she ever get hooked up with Nabal?”

 Abigail took the sword out of David’s hand that day. She was right. God would get even.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

Nabal was in his glory—another successful sheep shearing. Drunk with wine he partied far into the night.

In the morning—Abigail told all!

Like lightening bolting from the sky, Nabal’s heart was struck. Terror hit hard. Ten days later it was all over. Nabal, the wealthy, wicked

farmer was dead!

Ten is the number of completion, perfection. God gave Nabal time to change—plenty of time. That's the true heart of God. He takes no pleasure in the death of a sinner.

God loves humility. He wanted to save Nabal. But humility never came and a man consumed with himself lost everything—most of all—eternity with God!

“God brings down the proud and saves the humble.”

Job 22:29(GNT)