Those of you who preach (either full or part time) know first hand how important encouragement is to the preacher. The title of this article comes from Jeremiah 20:9, a passage which is usually applied to preachers. It seems to me, however, that we can find something in this passage to encourage all of us.
In Jeremiah 20, the prophet had become discouraged. When the priest, the chief officer of the house of the Lord, the head religious honcho of the whole country, heard Jeremiah preaching, he had him beaten and put in stocks. Talk about a negative reaction to a sermon! And this kind of attention was beginning to weigh on Jeremiah. Even though the priest (Pashur) had Jeremiah released the next day, God, through Jeremiah, still had something to say to him. Jeremiah told Pashur that his name was going to be changed. God was going to start calling him Magor-missabib. (Since you are reading this, you just pronounce that name however you want). The name means “terror on every side.” In my life I have worn several descriptive nicknames, given by friend and foe alike. However, this is one that I have thankfully avoided. How would you like it if you found out your new nickname was “terror on every side” and then, to make matters worse, you found out that it was God who gave you that nickname?
You might be thinking that this is the message of encouragement; that when you get down because of the way people (even God’s people, sometimes) treat you, you can call to mind one such person who got his comeuppance. That’s not it! You will notice that in this story we have not gotten to Jeremiah’s statement about a “fire in my bones” yet. You see, just seeing someone else punished and brought low did not make Jeremiah feel any better. That ought to be a lesson to us, too; seeing others brought low should not make us feel better about ourselves.
Actually, Jeremiah is a little put out with God. In 20:7 he accuses God of deceiving him. It sounds like he is blaming God for the trouble he gets into when he preaches God’s Word. Sometimes preachers get into the same trouble today. Nothing has changed on that score. However, all of us, preachers or not, get discouraged and sometimes it is because we are doing the right thing and suffering for it. Maybe you do not get up in a pulpit every Sunday, but I know that there are those who stand for the truth and are called “troublemakers,” “wolves in sheep’s clothing” and all manner of evil things are said about them on account of Jesus. See Matthew 5:10-12. Even if someone else comes to your rescue and pronounces judgment (from God’s Word) on the one who troubles you, that still does not take away the sting of the criticism or attack, does it? Jeremiah 20:9 is where we find the encouragement: But if I say, “I will not remember Him or speak anymore in His name,” then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it.
Do you see it? The encouragement is that when you are the kind of Christian God wants you to be, you cannot stand NOT to speak forth the things you have seen and heard (Acts 4:20). It becomes such a part of you, that it is stronger than that which threatens to overcome you. You may feel like you are too tired to go on, but that fire is a strength that will not let you down. Skip down to verse 11 (this is powerful): But the Lord is with me like a dread champion; therefore my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will be utterly ashamed, because they have failed, with an everlasting disgrace that will not be forgotten. This is encouraging! I do not have to worry because God is on my side.
Remember, the faithful Christian is preaching the Gospel whether a full-time preacher or not (Matthew 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15, 16). Sometimes that preaching is going to be to Christians who have fallen away or who are still in church, but are following false doctrine or leading others away from God rather than to Him. In many of those cases, the truth is going to be resisted and the attacks can get very personal. All of that is terribly discouraging to the one fighting the Good Fight. It will seem like there is no use in continuing. You may be a laughingstock. Well, let us not be in such a hurry to hand over the keys to the kingdom to the devil. There is new strength to be had. There is a fire that has not gone out and it is in the bones of the faithful who will not be denied and will not be shut up. God put that fire there because He loves you and so do I. Do not let that ole’ Pashur bother you. He’s got his coming!
Donnie Bates
A peaceful spring on the Macedonian side of Lake Ochrid in the Balkan Mountains
Monday, May 28, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
A Slippery Disposition
Did you ever see one of those “greased pig” contests? The purpose of the grease is to make the pig slippery and harder to catch. Everybody has a great deal of fun watching a bunch of guys slip and slide all over those pigs trying to catch one. Well, maybe not everyone. The pigs might say different.
While giving a lesson recently on the beatitudes, the phrase “slippery disposition” occurred to me as something that would be desirable for a Christian to have. I mean the kind of disposition or attitude in a person that would make it hard for the one who is after us to get a good hold; make it harder for him to catch us and easier for us to stay away from the evil one.
The beatitudes can very easily be referred to as God’s formula for success. I do not mean monetary success or success in the arena of politics or society. I mean true, eternal success; eternal life in heaven. That is what every Christian should be concerned with. There are several very interesting things about the beatitudes which begin the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). They all begin with the word “blessed” which describes a happiness or blessedness that is beyond the understanding of the world. It would have to be, would it not? How else could He say that those who mourn would be blessed?
Each of the first three beatitudes describes what most would think of as negative traits: poverty of spirit (which is emptying yourself), mourning and meekness. That does not sound like we are on the right track when it comes to the way to success! When does the good part begin? If you want to skip ahead to the end and find out how we are supposed to make it, after employing such humility, look at James 4:9, 10, but come right back to Matthew 5:5, because that is where we are going to find this “slippery disposition.”
The New American Standard Bible says, “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Most versions say, “Blessed are the meek...” The word “meek” or “gentle” is an important one to the Christian. It is in this word that we find the grease. One part of the meaning “meekness” or “gentleness” is “under control.” The person who is meek is cool while others are hot. He does not allow himself to lose control. He is exactly the kind of person who would make a good peacemaker, one who is pure in heart and merciful. It is no mystery why the first three beatitudes are what they are. Before you can ever put on the characteristics of the others you must prepare yourself in humility, and that includes putting yourself completely under control so that you may offer yourself to the control of God.
Another meaning of meekness is self-sacrifice. It takes one who is in complete control of himself to make of himself a sacrifice. The meek person is not concerned with his own betterment. He is not defensive of himself. He does not have to have his own way. He is interested in God being glorified, not himself. This is why Moses is considered the father of the meek (Numbers 12:3). Also, consider Jesus...no one was more meek than Jesus, the Terrible Meek. The first time I read that title and knew the author applied it to Jesus, I was surprised, almost offended. How could Jesus be a terrible anything? And yet, if we consider Jesus from the point of view of His enemy (Satan) that is exactly what Jesus was...the Terrible Meek. Satan could do nothing to Him to overcome Him. He tempted Jesus, but Jesus was willing to suffer rather than give in. He had complete control. He offered Jesus everything that He came here for (the whole world) and Jesus still gave God the glory. He was not interested in His own glory over His heavenly Father’s. The worst the devil could do to Him was the very thing Jesus came here to do. How do you win over someone like that? You don’t! Jesus had such a slippery disposition, Satan could never get a good hold on Him.
This week, when you feel the old devil breathing down your neck, remember the meekness Jesus wants you to have. He did not give us Matthew 5:5 just so we would not get too full of ourselves because He wants the spotlight. He was trying to tell us what we need in order to survive. Put yourself under control. Give yourself up to God and let Him control you through His Word. There will be some situations in your life that will make it very hard to focus your attention anywhere else but at the enemy bearing down on you, but you can do it. Close your eyes (spiritually, at least), take a deep breath and even with your enemy right on your heels, give yourself fully to: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God...You shall not put the Lord your God to the test...You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only” (Matthew 4:1-11).
It may not feel like it, but you have all the strength and weapons you need to fight off a frenzied attack by the devil. You do not have to go out of your house into the world today, or the rest of this week, or the rest of your life in fear. All you need to do is slather on the grease and he cannot touch you. God gave you meekness just for that purpose because He loves you and so do I.
Donnie Bates
While giving a lesson recently on the beatitudes, the phrase “slippery disposition” occurred to me as something that would be desirable for a Christian to have. I mean the kind of disposition or attitude in a person that would make it hard for the one who is after us to get a good hold; make it harder for him to catch us and easier for us to stay away from the evil one.
The beatitudes can very easily be referred to as God’s formula for success. I do not mean monetary success or success in the arena of politics or society. I mean true, eternal success; eternal life in heaven. That is what every Christian should be concerned with. There are several very interesting things about the beatitudes which begin the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). They all begin with the word “blessed” which describes a happiness or blessedness that is beyond the understanding of the world. It would have to be, would it not? How else could He say that those who mourn would be blessed?
Each of the first three beatitudes describes what most would think of as negative traits: poverty of spirit (which is emptying yourself), mourning and meekness. That does not sound like we are on the right track when it comes to the way to success! When does the good part begin? If you want to skip ahead to the end and find out how we are supposed to make it, after employing such humility, look at James 4:9, 10, but come right back to Matthew 5:5, because that is where we are going to find this “slippery disposition.”
The New American Standard Bible says, “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Most versions say, “Blessed are the meek...” The word “meek” or “gentle” is an important one to the Christian. It is in this word that we find the grease. One part of the meaning “meekness” or “gentleness” is “under control.” The person who is meek is cool while others are hot. He does not allow himself to lose control. He is exactly the kind of person who would make a good peacemaker, one who is pure in heart and merciful. It is no mystery why the first three beatitudes are what they are. Before you can ever put on the characteristics of the others you must prepare yourself in humility, and that includes putting yourself completely under control so that you may offer yourself to the control of God.
Another meaning of meekness is self-sacrifice. It takes one who is in complete control of himself to make of himself a sacrifice. The meek person is not concerned with his own betterment. He is not defensive of himself. He does not have to have his own way. He is interested in God being glorified, not himself. This is why Moses is considered the father of the meek (Numbers 12:3). Also, consider Jesus...no one was more meek than Jesus, the Terrible Meek. The first time I read that title and knew the author applied it to Jesus, I was surprised, almost offended. How could Jesus be a terrible anything? And yet, if we consider Jesus from the point of view of His enemy (Satan) that is exactly what Jesus was...the Terrible Meek. Satan could do nothing to Him to overcome Him. He tempted Jesus, but Jesus was willing to suffer rather than give in. He had complete control. He offered Jesus everything that He came here for (the whole world) and Jesus still gave God the glory. He was not interested in His own glory over His heavenly Father’s. The worst the devil could do to Him was the very thing Jesus came here to do. How do you win over someone like that? You don’t! Jesus had such a slippery disposition, Satan could never get a good hold on Him.
This week, when you feel the old devil breathing down your neck, remember the meekness Jesus wants you to have. He did not give us Matthew 5:5 just so we would not get too full of ourselves because He wants the spotlight. He was trying to tell us what we need in order to survive. Put yourself under control. Give yourself up to God and let Him control you through His Word. There will be some situations in your life that will make it very hard to focus your attention anywhere else but at the enemy bearing down on you, but you can do it. Close your eyes (spiritually, at least), take a deep breath and even with your enemy right on your heels, give yourself fully to: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God...You shall not put the Lord your God to the test...You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only” (Matthew 4:1-11).
It may not feel like it, but you have all the strength and weapons you need to fight off a frenzied attack by the devil. You do not have to go out of your house into the world today, or the rest of this week, or the rest of your life in fear. All you need to do is slather on the grease and he cannot touch you. God gave you meekness just for that purpose because He loves you and so do I.
Donnie Bates
Monday, May 14, 2007
According to the Need of the Moment
The apostle Paul wrote of the importance of encouragement in our speech. In Colossians 4:6 he said, “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” This is not an admonition to use “salty speech” (i.e. profanity) as some among us are want to do. Salt, as it is used here, would have the same meaning as it does in Matthew 5:13 where Jesus tells us that His disciples are the “salt of the earth.” In other words, it is good for the earth that Christians are a part of it. Our speech should reflect that fact. It should be good for others to be in our company and hear our speech.
In Ephesians 4:29 Paul commanded that no “unwholesome” word be spoken by us. That means that nothing “unwholesome,” or “corrupt,” or “filthy” should come out of our mouths. Obviously, this would apply to profanity. However, profane words are not the only corrupt, filthy and unwholesome communication we can use. Words that bite are filthy. Words that criticize (not constructive and positive criticism, but negative and destructive criticism) and words that teach others to criticize are unwholesome and corrupt speech and should be purged from our minds and mouths. It breaks my heart to hear adults criticize something in someone else and reason that the offending person has impure motives and just wanted offend, as though it was done “just to make me mad!” And when adults offer this kind of criticism in the presence of their children or grandchildren, another generation learns to do the same. That is why Paul said, “Do not let it come out of your mouth!”
The positive alternative is in the same verse (Ephesians 4:29). Rather than filthy communication, use speech that is good for edification. That means language that builds others up rather than tearing them down. We said earlier that being salt means that it is good for the world that we are here. Seasoning our speech with salt that builds means that it is good for those around us to hear what we are saying. Spreading the Gospel message of the saving grace of Jesus Christ is certainly included, but a simple “Thank you” is just as salty! Try it sometime (no, all the time). The next time you are sitting in traffic in the left turn lane and there is a little old lady in the car in front of you and the green arrow comes on and she doesn’t see it and just sits there, try something new. Instead of imagining that she is just callous and rude and doesn’t care that if you don’t get to McDonald’s at precisely 10:30 they won’t have any sausage biscuits left and you blow a gasket between your ears in frustration, try imagining that she has a lot on her mind and needs your patience more than she needs your horn going off in her ears. Try the same thing the next time you have the opportunity to speak to someone who has been rude to you or has given you an opportunity to speak evil or good. Weigh the need of the moment and then speak something that edifies and not something that hurts. What you will find is that the healing and the edification happen to you as much and maybe more than to the one you have blessed with your salty speech.
I know that there are times when constructive criticism is necessary and there are many times when we are too afraid of it to use it and damage is done because we did not criticize. However, for today I want us to concentrate on not being destructively critical of others, but being edifying in our speech and conduct. God loves you and so do I.
Donnie Bates
In Ephesians 4:29 Paul commanded that no “unwholesome” word be spoken by us. That means that nothing “unwholesome,” or “corrupt,” or “filthy” should come out of our mouths. Obviously, this would apply to profanity. However, profane words are not the only corrupt, filthy and unwholesome communication we can use. Words that bite are filthy. Words that criticize (not constructive and positive criticism, but negative and destructive criticism) and words that teach others to criticize are unwholesome and corrupt speech and should be purged from our minds and mouths. It breaks my heart to hear adults criticize something in someone else and reason that the offending person has impure motives and just wanted offend, as though it was done “just to make me mad!” And when adults offer this kind of criticism in the presence of their children or grandchildren, another generation learns to do the same. That is why Paul said, “Do not let it come out of your mouth!”
The positive alternative is in the same verse (Ephesians 4:29). Rather than filthy communication, use speech that is good for edification. That means language that builds others up rather than tearing them down. We said earlier that being salt means that it is good for the world that we are here. Seasoning our speech with salt that builds means that it is good for those around us to hear what we are saying. Spreading the Gospel message of the saving grace of Jesus Christ is certainly included, but a simple “Thank you” is just as salty! Try it sometime (no, all the time). The next time you are sitting in traffic in the left turn lane and there is a little old lady in the car in front of you and the green arrow comes on and she doesn’t see it and just sits there, try something new. Instead of imagining that she is just callous and rude and doesn’t care that if you don’t get to McDonald’s at precisely 10:30 they won’t have any sausage biscuits left and you blow a gasket between your ears in frustration, try imagining that she has a lot on her mind and needs your patience more than she needs your horn going off in her ears. Try the same thing the next time you have the opportunity to speak to someone who has been rude to you or has given you an opportunity to speak evil or good. Weigh the need of the moment and then speak something that edifies and not something that hurts. What you will find is that the healing and the edification happen to you as much and maybe more than to the one you have blessed with your salty speech.
I know that there are times when constructive criticism is necessary and there are many times when we are too afraid of it to use it and damage is done because we did not criticize. However, for today I want us to concentrate on not being destructively critical of others, but being edifying in our speech and conduct. God loves you and so do I.
Donnie Bates
Monday, May 7, 2007
The Healing Power of Ministry
Did you ever notice how you feel better when you make someone else feel better? When we're down or depressed or stressed, it is hard to think of others, but the evidence suggests that it's worth the effort. Time and again, when Jesus was stressed, the multitudes pressed Him. They would not leave Him alone. And time and again Jesus ministered to the multitudes. Some might think this just shows the sacrificial nature of the ministry of Jesus, and I am certainly not going to suggest that Jesus only ministered to people from a selfish motive of self-therapy. Scripture says Jesus felt "compassion" for those who pressed Him so. That compassion served Jesus well and it will serve us well, also.
If we may use another Scriptural example, we might more easily see the connection between our actions toward others (ministry) and the healing of our spirits. In the first family in human history, one brother became jealous of the other and committed the first murder (Genesis 4:8). However, before that irreversible act of murder was committed, Cain (the murderer) was already angry. His worship had been rejected by God, but that did not require that he kill Abel!
So many times we do not recognize that there is a problem with someone until it's too late. The deed is done! However, even then it's not too late to rescue a soul. What I mean is that most people in the world did not know the names of any of several serial killers we could name before they were arrested and made famous through the news media. That ignorance on our part, however, does not mean they were not around. Certainly they were! And, they each had the opportunity to take a different path in life than murder. Let's go back to Cain. When he and his brother offered their sacrifices to God, Abel's was accepted and Cain's was not. We are not told exactly why, but the descriptions of the offerings give us a hint. Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground (Genesis 4:3). Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions (Genesis 4:4). That suggests that Abel's offering was more of a sacrifice than Cain's. Regardless of the reason, Cain chose to respond in anger. God responded to him by giving advice that rings through the ages: "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up?" (Genesis 4:7).
Not only was Cain angry, but his countenance (face) showed it. Of course, God can see a man's heart, but His point is that anyone could tell by looking at Cain that he was having problems. He was angry; angry enough to kill. And yet the solution was not that someone needed to minister to Cain! Did you hear that? Then let me say it again: The solution was not that someone needed to minister to Cain...he needed to minister to someone else. Or, more specifically in this context, Cain needed to "do well!" The different course Cain could have taken to deal with anger was for him to actively "do well," or reach out to someone else.
When you feel stressed and assailed from every direction, rather than retreating within your own "comfortable" shell and waiting for someone to come and minister to you, try reaching out to someone else who is suffering even more than you are. They won't be hard to find, if you look. And if you remain in your "safe place," you will find that it is not all that safe. Your suffering will fester and you will be worse off in the end. Hear the words of God to a troubled young man and apply them to yourself: "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up?" If you feel bad, do something good for someone else. You will feel better! God made you that way because He loves you and so do I.
Donnie Bates
If we may use another Scriptural example, we might more easily see the connection between our actions toward others (ministry) and the healing of our spirits. In the first family in human history, one brother became jealous of the other and committed the first murder (Genesis 4:8). However, before that irreversible act of murder was committed, Cain (the murderer) was already angry. His worship had been rejected by God, but that did not require that he kill Abel!
So many times we do not recognize that there is a problem with someone until it's too late. The deed is done! However, even then it's not too late to rescue a soul. What I mean is that most people in the world did not know the names of any of several serial killers we could name before they were arrested and made famous through the news media. That ignorance on our part, however, does not mean they were not around. Certainly they were! And, they each had the opportunity to take a different path in life than murder. Let's go back to Cain. When he and his brother offered their sacrifices to God, Abel's was accepted and Cain's was not. We are not told exactly why, but the descriptions of the offerings give us a hint. Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground (Genesis 4:3). Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions (Genesis 4:4). That suggests that Abel's offering was more of a sacrifice than Cain's. Regardless of the reason, Cain chose to respond in anger. God responded to him by giving advice that rings through the ages: "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up?" (Genesis 4:7).
Not only was Cain angry, but his countenance (face) showed it. Of course, God can see a man's heart, but His point is that anyone could tell by looking at Cain that he was having problems. He was angry; angry enough to kill. And yet the solution was not that someone needed to minister to Cain! Did you hear that? Then let me say it again: The solution was not that someone needed to minister to Cain...he needed to minister to someone else. Or, more specifically in this context, Cain needed to "do well!" The different course Cain could have taken to deal with anger was for him to actively "do well," or reach out to someone else.
When you feel stressed and assailed from every direction, rather than retreating within your own "comfortable" shell and waiting for someone to come and minister to you, try reaching out to someone else who is suffering even more than you are. They won't be hard to find, if you look. And if you remain in your "safe place," you will find that it is not all that safe. Your suffering will fester and you will be worse off in the end. Hear the words of God to a troubled young man and apply them to yourself: "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up?" If you feel bad, do something good for someone else. You will feel better! God made you that way because He loves you and so do I.
Donnie Bates
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
The Words of a Friend
The encouraging words of a friend are worth more than gold. I know that the encouraging words that my friends give me keep me going. I look on them as blessings directly from heaven above. I thank God for them (the words and the friends) and I thank my friends for building me up with words that edify according to the need of the moment (Ephesians 4:29).
Many of you continue to respond to Barnabas Notes with words of thanks and encouragement to me. I want to use this issue to say, “Thank you,” and to tell you that those comments are deeply appreciated. BN started out to be a word of encouragement to my friends (and I hope that it has been to all who have read it), but it has also been a source of comfort and strength for me through your responses.
Solomon wrote: A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17). You do not need me to tell you how important a friend is. Scripture is full of passages that tell us that God will watch over us and not allow us to endure more than we are able; that we ought to approach the throne of grace to find grace to help in time of need (2 Corinthians 12:9; Hebrews 4:16; 1 Corinthians 10:13). One of the ways that God provides this care and protection is through the friends that surround us. Solomon’s point is that a friend, a true friend, loves you no matter what happens; will stick with you through thick and thin. I said at the beginning that the encouraging words of a friend are worth more than gold. However, sometimes the worth of a friend is not seen in his (or her) words, but in his (or her) presence. Sometimes just knowing that someone is there is enough to get you through a difficult situation.
Americans live in a culture that was built by “rugged individualism.” We are a freedom-loving people and we do not want anyone fooling around with our freedom and independence. One thing we want to be careful of, however, is letting our pride shut out our friends. Sometimes when we get into a tough situation, we do not want to ask for help or cry out at all because that would not be in keeping with the rugged individual. We do not want to take charity! Did you know that “charity” is a word that means “love”? I realize that we do not want to be perceived as someone who always has their hand out, but the “charity” of our friends is a star in their crowns and a blessing to them. If we deny them the opportunity to bless us, we deny them a blessing, as well.
Let me encourage you to let God help you and bless you through the friends who are around you. Now, we need to recognize that such a blessing is only going to come through those friends who encourage you according to God’s will. It is not a blessing when your friends encourage you to go against God’s will. Still, when you are in trouble, when you are besieged from every angle, let your friends be a help and a support to you, always remembering to pray for God’s help, too. He loves you and so do I.
Donnie Bates
Many of you continue to respond to Barnabas Notes with words of thanks and encouragement to me. I want to use this issue to say, “Thank you,” and to tell you that those comments are deeply appreciated. BN started out to be a word of encouragement to my friends (and I hope that it has been to all who have read it), but it has also been a source of comfort and strength for me through your responses.
Solomon wrote: A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17). You do not need me to tell you how important a friend is. Scripture is full of passages that tell us that God will watch over us and not allow us to endure more than we are able; that we ought to approach the throne of grace to find grace to help in time of need (2 Corinthians 12:9; Hebrews 4:16; 1 Corinthians 10:13). One of the ways that God provides this care and protection is through the friends that surround us. Solomon’s point is that a friend, a true friend, loves you no matter what happens; will stick with you through thick and thin. I said at the beginning that the encouraging words of a friend are worth more than gold. However, sometimes the worth of a friend is not seen in his (or her) words, but in his (or her) presence. Sometimes just knowing that someone is there is enough to get you through a difficult situation.
Americans live in a culture that was built by “rugged individualism.” We are a freedom-loving people and we do not want anyone fooling around with our freedom and independence. One thing we want to be careful of, however, is letting our pride shut out our friends. Sometimes when we get into a tough situation, we do not want to ask for help or cry out at all because that would not be in keeping with the rugged individual. We do not want to take charity! Did you know that “charity” is a word that means “love”? I realize that we do not want to be perceived as someone who always has their hand out, but the “charity” of our friends is a star in their crowns and a blessing to them. If we deny them the opportunity to bless us, we deny them a blessing, as well.
Let me encourage you to let God help you and bless you through the friends who are around you. Now, we need to recognize that such a blessing is only going to come through those friends who encourage you according to God’s will. It is not a blessing when your friends encourage you to go against God’s will. Still, when you are in trouble, when you are besieged from every angle, let your friends be a help and a support to you, always remembering to pray for God’s help, too. He loves you and so do I.
Donnie Bates
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