The Encouragement of a Friend

Some days are just plain hard. Your day starts with a missed wake-up alarm, because your electric went out during the midnight storm; a traffic jam slows traffic on the highway to work; you miss an important deadline. Or, maybe a child gets sick at the worst possible moment and keeps you home from something you'd been looking forward to. Then, there are the days when we hear the worst possible news: cancer, death, unemployment, foreclosure.

No matter what kind of day you are having today, there is hope. Proverbs 18:24 tells us "a man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. " Do you have such a friend? Someone you can call even in the middle of the night? There are many I can call in my church or community that will respond quickly to my need. If you don't have such a friend, you'll want to reach outside of your comfort zone to develop new relationships. Be the kind of friend you want others to be and you'll soon discover you're never without a friend. And, don't be afraid to make friends of all ages, races and career levels - it will give you a much broader outlook.

For the ultimate friendship, turn to John 15:13. This passage tells us "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Jesus is that kind of friend! He knows when we are having a bad day or a good day. He knows when your family is going through hard times. And, most of all He layed down his life for us. Nothing we do deserves the gift of His precious life. We cannot repay Him for the free gift of salvation any more than you can pay back a friend for a gift they have given to you.

Joseph Scriven, an Irishman wrote the hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" The words are as follows:

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!

So, next time you're having a bad day, call on Jesus. His cell phone is never busy, He's available 24/7, His services cost nothing, and well, the gifts He gives us are priceless!

- author, Cindy Daniels

What traits or qualities do you look for in a friend?

Encouraging the Children in Our Lives

It's that time of the summer when our church holds their week of Vacation Bible School. It's the time of year when we get the chance to spiritually influence our kids every day for an entire week. It's a time of fond memories for me - cookies and Koolaid; silly songs and games; scissors, paint and glue; Bible stories; and of course loving, caring teachers who made a difference in my spiritual walk.

VBS teachers take care of your child's spiritual needs for one week, and perhaps a family vacation in natural surroundings takes care of teaching our children about God's creation for a second week. But, what are your plans for teaching God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit to your children the other 50 weeks of the year?

Cheri Fuller in her book The Fragrance of Kindness gives us some creative ways to encourage our children with words:

• Tuck notes of encouragement and relevant scripture in lunch bags
• Write a love letter to your child and push it under their door.
• Write an "I'm sorry I lost my cool" note, decorate it with stickers and colored markers.
• Show up at a sporting event, school play, or other important day in your child's life and say, "I'm proud of you!"
• Pray with your child when they struggle with direction in his/her life.

The Bible give us clear direction on speaking important and timely words to your children in Deuteronomy 6:6-9:

"And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up...You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates"

- author, Cindy Daniels

What are some ways you plan to spirtually encourage the children in your life?

What Are You In Fact Doing to Encourage?

I Thessalonians 5:11 states, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." Verse 12 goes on to say, "Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you."

Our spiritual leaders, elders, deacons, pastors, and teachers, many times have a tough go of it. They're instructed in Thessalonians to maintain a positive spirit and always be praying while warning the unruly, comforting those who are weak, and encouraging the timid (verses 14-18) in all of life's circumstances!

I don't know about you, but just reading the responsibilities our leaders are expected by God to carry out, gives me a whole new appreciation for the position of spiritual leader! Which brings me to my next point - when was the last time you encouraged someone who has spiritually influenced your life or the life of your church? I'm afraid we've become a generation of people who expect our leaders to do all of the work while we continue to sit back and criticize what we think they should be doing. The scriptures tell us in various passages that we are all ministers and teachers, not just those elected by the church.

No wonder our leaders often get weary in serving us! No wonder they don't do all of the things we think they should do! What in fact are you doing to encourage them? May I offer a few suggestions?

• Pray for them, their families and the people they serve, praying that they will remain strong and courageous in the Lord
• Give them a hug and tell them personally how much you appreciate their service
• Invite them and their families to dinner, a cookout or outing your family is going on
• Talk directly to them when you have a concern or disagree with a policy or program, don't speak unkindly about them - this is their number one discouragement
• Walk beside them - go with them when they visit new members or the sick
• Offer to teach a class, babysit in the nursery, go on a mission trip, or finacially back a camper or youth program

Make it a point this week to encourage a spiritual leader. You'll be glad you did!

- author, Cindy Daniels

What are some other ways we can encourage our spiritual leaders?