A Friend Who Sticks Closer Than A Brother...or Sister

 

Picture by Caprice Miller

“Samson”

 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. – Proverbs 18:24

If you’ve ever had a pet, especially a dog, you probably understand the attachment that comes along with this companionship.  They let you know you were missed when you come home, you know they have your back, they love to play with you, they can be really great listeners and you never have to worry about them repeating that information to anyone who may not need to hear it.  It’s true that pets can be really great friends.  I'm sure this is why Caprice misses Samson now.  Sometimes we may wish we had human companions that were so reliable and loyal. 

The verse today reminds us that just because we have a lot of friends doesn’t mean we can always rely on them.  It’s important to know that we have a friend that sticks closer than a brother…or sister.  As my pastor, Ed Young, says you have to have the right THEY in your life.  We have to consider that the people we are closest to say a lot about who we are and have a lot to do with who we become.  If this is the case then the character quality of our friends is really important.  But what would be the best qualities to look for?  Here’s a good start.  Take a quick mental inventory of the friends in your life.  Are they:
Trustworthy
Honest
Encouraging
Yielded to God

As you ponder these qualities in your friends ask yourself, “Would these qualities define me as a friend also?”  This can be a loaded question for some.  There may be friends who we need to choose not to spend as much time with.  We may need to make changes in our own lives to be a better friend ourselves.   If this is the case, ask God to help you.  He can bring people into your life who have these qualities.  He can also help you become a “THEY friend”.

Knowing that the friends in my life have these qualities makes me want to reflect these qualities myself.  It’s important that my friends know that I have their back and that I’m going to be honest with them even when it may be difficult.  I want them to always feel encouraged when they are around me and most of all; I want them to know that my thoughts and opinions come from a heart yielded to God.  I don’t want to be “that friend” that causes another to come to ruin because I wasn’t reliable.  I want to be the “THEY friend” who sticks closer than a brother…or sister.  What a HUGE blessing to know I have friends who have these qualities!  I think I'll take the time to thank them now…. 

Human X-ing

Picture by Caprice Miller

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4

Does it ever seem like we see so many caution signs each day that we end up not even noticing them?  Some have even gone to the extent of attaching blinking lights so we remember to actually see them.   The reality is that these signs are there to alert us to the possible dangers ahead.  It would be in our best interest to slow down, take note and proceed with caution.  But too many times distractions get in the way and we throw caution to the wind.  At this point two things could occur - our worst fears can be realized or we are protected in spite of our carelessness. 

Designated signs like the one above are interesting though.   It’s not as though the creature represented on the sign knows there is an attempt to protect them by posting a sign.  They just wander across the road with just the thought of getting to the other side.   When you think about it we have a tendency to walk through life in a very similar manner.  We move along never paying attention to the caution signs around us - unless they are blinking, of course, and then we may acknowledge that it’s there.

Fortunately, it’s as though God has put up a caution sign on our behalf to protect us.  What if we walked through life with this perspective in mind?  When we walk with the understanding that God is close beside us and protecting us we will view things differently.  Instead of fearing those dark valleys that inevitably occur, we will feel God’s comfort.  Instead of being filled with anxiety of what tomorrow will bring, we will find peace in KNOWING God will protect us.  We can live a life of anticipation of what is next.  We can walk in confidence that He will have something exciting in store for us as He leads us across the crossroad we may find ourselves at currently. 

Let’s decide today to pay attention to God’s presence in our lives.  To do this, we should slow down, take note and proceed with….Godfidence.  The confidence and security we can have in knowing God is with us always. 

For Such A Time As This

 

Picture by Caprice Miller

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” – Esther 4:14

 

Today’s picture brings all sorts of creative thoughts to mind.  The colors God puts in His creations always amaze me.  I always look forward to the Spring when we finally get to witness the beauty of His flowers in all their glory.  This particular picture has an interesting back story though.  It wascture was taken in the middle of JANUARY.  Why would this beauty show itself in the middle of one of the coldest months of the year?  Seriously, the next freeze in Texas could happen in the next hour and these beauties will be gone!  Perhaps the purpose is just to give Caprice something to find beauty in and take a picture of.  Maybe it is there for such a time as this that we can see this beauty and think a little deeper about life and it’s Creator. 

In the Bible the book of Esther tells the story about a young woman who found herself in an unexpected place at a very dangerous time.  The entire Jewish nation was in danger of being wiped out and she would be included in their demise.  But as the queen, she was in position of enlightening the king to the real plot behind this decree.  (This is a really interesting story.  Read it.  Esther in the Bible.) Esther had a lot of fear about speaking to the king though.  She would have rather remained in her place and not draw attention to herself.  But she was convinced by Mordecai that she may be in the position she was in for a time such as this.   Not to give away the story, but she accomplishes the task and saves them. 

Who knows, perhaps we are in the position of life we are now “for a time such as this”.  Esther wasn’t aware of any plot to harm her and her people until it was brought to her attention.  Many times, we are not aware of circumstances around us either.  Perhaps it isn’t to wipe us out, but someone around us may be in need.  So many times we go about our daily routines just not wanting to draw attention to ourselves.  We never realize that so many around us need what is keeping us going as Christians.  Perhaps, like the daisies and Esther, we are in the position we are in “for a time such as this”….to lift our heads up, pay attention and reach out to someone else and introduce them to what you have – Jesus. 

Have a doughnut

^{Picture by Caprice Miller}

¹²“I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”  …³¹The people of Israel called the bread manna.  It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey.  – Exodus 16:12 & 31

 

Is it a coincidence that today’s “random picture” just happens to be of “THE hot light”?  I think NOT!  After all, it’s National Doughnut Day!  This is an occasion to celebrate, so let’s get to it!  Let’s not forget to thank God as we celebrate this momentous occasion.  I find that pretty easy since I thank Him with every melt-in-your-mouth bite.   (YYYYYUUUUUMMMM!!!!)

As I read about the Israelites in the desert, I was reminded of how hungry they were. (Sadly, they didn’t have doughnuts.)  But wait!  God literally rained down manna from heaven every morning for them.   (Manna literally means “What is it?” in Hebrew.)  The Bible tells us that it tasted like it was made with honey – maybe they did have something like a doughnut.   Every morning it was as if they had their own “hot light from God” letting them know that fresh manna was ready for pick up.  In the midst of their hunger when nothing else was available, God provided for their needs in a sweet way.  He does the same for us still today.   Many times we might wish He would be a little quicker about it, sure.  But then He teaches us that His perfect timing is always best.  Otherwise, we could take it for granted and forget to acknowledge that He is the Lord our God. 

 I have to say that some of the best things I have ever eaten have been when I’ve been the most hungry.   Strangely enough when I eat the same thing when I’m not so hungry I don’t have the same reaction.   That’s also how it is with God’s word….”the bread of life”.  When we get to our lowest and hungriest points in life, we choose then to take in His word and let it nourish, comfort and give us direction.  But then when we aren’t as hungry, we set it aside and don’t pay much attention to it.  But why wait until we get to that hungriest, lowest point to take in His word.  I don’t know about you, but I need His nourishment every day.  My prayer is that God would give me a hunger for His word – bread of life – daily; not just when those hunger pains of life hit.  That’s why His word is there.  We shouldn’t treat it as though it’s a “National Bread of Life Day”.  Let’s take it in daily and allow it to nourish and guide us so we can guard against life’s hunger pains now and never take it for granted.