NEVER WITHOUT FRIENDS!
Friend, in a world too often filled with bad news, the primary Mission of Discovering a BETTER LIFE MINISTRIES is in sharing the “Good News” that God seeks from us, not an inherited "hand-me-down" religion, but rather, a strong faith in Him, that we "own" personally!
This faith I am referring to, is one which will enable us, throughout our lifetime, to answer emphatically in the affirmative the question, "God Are You Really There?"
Friend, it is indeed a comfort to know, from God’s inspired word, (The Bible), that He, (in whose image we have been created), by His grace, has enabled men and women to enter into an intimate, personal relationship with Himself, through what Jesus Christ accomplished by His death, burial, and resurrection.
This is the wonderful reality that we treasure and enjoy by trusting that it is true
(2 Corinthians 5:17).
TODAY’S MESSAGE OF
FROM
Discovering a BETTER LIFE MINISTRIES
(Stories of Real People, Real Events, Real Places)
Are dedicated to HELPING
PEOPLE FIND PEACE and HOPE
(John 10:10)
(April 21st, 2020)
NEVER WITHOUT FRIENDS!
Friend, today, I’d like talk to you about never being without friends. And I genuinely hope you don’t take offence when I say to you, that if you don’t have many friends you don’t need a change in location, you simply need a change in disposition. In fact, that’s what Solomon shares with us in the book of Proverbs, chapter 18, verse 24, when he says: “A man that hath friends, must show himself friendly.”
Having said that, it brings to my mind a story I read some time back of a legend about two wagons. The first stopped in a valley where an old farmer was working. And shouting to the farmer, the driver asked, “What kind of people live in the village?”
The response that came back from the old farmer was this, “What kind of people live where you’ve come from?” -- “Ah, the best in the world!” replied the driver. “They were good neighbours, friendly, kind and considerate. We would never have left but for the health of our youngest child.”
“Then you’re in luck. Friend,” said the farmer. “That’s exactly the kind of people who live in our village. You’ll like it here!”
Soon the second wagon approached, and the driver of this wagon shouted out, “Hey, old man what kind of people live in the village?”
Again, the response from the old farmer was the question, “What kind of people live where you’ve come from?” -- “The worst people in the world,” was the bitter response from the driver. “They were selfish, inconsiderate and unfriendly. We could hardly wait to get away!”
“Well it’s no better here,” said the old farmer. “That’s exactly the kind of people who live in this village. You’ll not like it here!”
Interestingly, the farmer answered correctly both times. Because what we see in others is generally speaking a reflection of what they see in us. Actually, our own disposition is usually mirrored in them. -- When we are unfriendly, discourteous and selfish, we discover that other people are the same. By the same token, when we are friendly, kind and considerate, we find other people like that, too.
I think you’ll agree with me, that most boys love dogs! But the dog that bristles, growls, and shows his teeth receives cool treatment from a young boy . . . no matter how impressive its pedigree. However, the old mongrel pooch that wags his tail and “shows itself to be friendly” will almost always receive a loving pat from the boy.
It is also true, that when a person snarls and approaches us with clenched fists, we immediately become defensive. But, if he/she warmly smiles and extends their hand in friendship, we eagerly respond.
You may have noticed that some people always have friends; others enjoy being around them. Conversely, some people can never keep friends; others avoid them as if they had a contagious disease. Why is there such a difference? Well, the answer’s pretty simple really. One is friendly; interested in others. The other is unfriendly; interested only in his, or her, own self.
I think it would be true to say, we all need a friend . . . someone who believes in us . . . someone in whom we can place our confidence, knowing it is in good hands. And as I think about this, I’m reminded of an Arabian definition of friendship which says:
“A friend is one to whom we may pour out the contents of our hearts, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away!”
As I reflect on those words, I can’t help but think that they truly express a wonderful definition of friendship. It is also a reminder that a friend’s true colours are revealed when we go through unusually difficult or painful circumstances. In fact, a genuine friend loves us through the best and worst of times. And, if you’re that kind of friend to others . . . you will always have friends!
It is true that there are times in our lives when we need to be alone. But for most of us the times of greatest happiness and meaning are shared moments, moments when we feel someone’s heart beats with ours. Nothing is much worse than the empty feeling of “not having a friend in the world,” and nothing much better than the “joy of having a real friend!”
My dear friend, if you’d like to experience the joy of having a real Friendship with Jesus, I encourage you to write to Discovering A BETTER LIFE and request a FREE copy of a small booklet which poses the question, “Need a Friend?”
Our address is: P.O. Box 1540, Albany, Western Australia 6331.
Phone us on: (08) 98 418 418 or E-mail us at: abl-alb@omninet.net.au
“Much of the vitality in a friendship lies in the
Honouring of differences, not simply in the
Enjoyment of similarities.”
(James Fredericks)
Thank you for taking the time to read what we feel privileged to have shared with you today. We hope you have been encouraged and blessed.
Ron Bainbridge
Co-ordinator of:
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