Ears To Hear # 69

WHO ARE MY FRIENDS, LORD?

         As I refreshed myself this morning by reading the Angel Food Book, I stopped on page 31 where it lists “The Rules Of The House.”
         I thank the Holy Spirit for directing me there. After I read it, all I could say was, “WOW Lord, I really blew that one.”

         Especially when it came to the part about always being loyal to my friends no matter what the cost; to always believe in them; expect the best of them, and stand my ground in defending them.
         For years I tried to carry this out toward a person I thought was my friend. But through circumstances I began to question if they really were my friend? Although I was not able to remain consistent towards this person, it was my goal to do so. I knew the kind of friend I wanted to be and had many opportunities to Practice Being A Good Friend.
         Each time I failed, the Lord lifted me up, encouraged me, and I would try again because I had a plan and a goal I desired to reach.

DEFINITION OF A FRIEND

         “Well, Lord? Who really are my friends?”, I asked. I tried to narrow it down to separate my friends from my acquaintances and enemies.
         In today’s language, I could recognize them as people who know me well enough to know my faults, yet know me well enough to see my heart. They have been kind to me. In so many ways, they exhibit the description on page 31.
           They have done for me what I desired to do for them. They have followed the Rules of the House. They have walked and continue to walk in the Law of Love towards me…to the best of their ability.
         I Corinthians 14:1 says, “Let Love be your greatest Aim.”
         Did you pick up on the word “Aim?” That’s our goal. That’s our aim. That’s our target.
         Often, the cares of the world knock us off balance and we miss the mark. But, oh the JOY, when from time to time, we recognize that our aim remained steady and we were able to hit that Inner Circle (bull’s eye).

WHO ARE NOT OUR FRIENDS, LORD?

         It appears that one question always leads to another, so here goes. “Who are not our friends, Lord?”
         Like our Heavenly Father, His seed in us causes us to desire many friends. But, there are those who are not our friends yet and we must recognize them.
         His Word says in James 4:4, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world (world’s system) is the enemy of God.

PROCESS OF SEPARATION

OR

ELIMINATION

         So, sometimes we learn who our friends are by understanding who are not our friends. We choose sides. If they are the enemy of God, then they are our enemy also. If they are friends of God, they are our friends. Only the Holy Spirit can reveal specific people to us.
         Enemies are many. Friends are few.

THERE ARE ACQUAINTENCES 

         There are those who have not chosen sides yet. They stand in the shadows, having neither chosen God nor Satan…but are still being weighed in the balance. Only god knows the choice they will make for Him or His enemy.
         It is not God’s will that any perish. We pray that all will come to repentance and receive His Grace for Salvation.
         We’re running out of time…and there is not a better day than today…to choose Jesus. All we have to do is pray, (talk to God), and admit our inability to save ourselves. We confess that we are sinners and need His Righteousness provided for us at the cross to save us from hell. We need His Holy Spirit to direct us daily to know where to go and what to do until He comes for us.

BEST FRIEND

         By now, your thoughts have probably already turned towards your best Heavenly Friends…God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. They meet all the standards of True Friends in I Corinthians 13:4-7. 
         Their Aim is True. Their Mark is Sure. We can Trust Them. 

SO

         I encourage you to nurture your true earth friends, love you enemies, and pray for those who are being weighed in the balance that they may come to a clear understanding of God and receive His Grace to make the right decision. (choice).
         KNOW who your earth friends are.
                  RECOGNIZE your enemies.
                            UNDERSTAND those in the Valley of Decision.
         “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the Valley of Decision.” (Joel 3:14)