Friends

I was in a business meeting the other day with five other people.
Introductions began and I was introduced to a gentleman that I had never met before and the introduction went something like this: “Bob I would like to introduce you to ———, this man was instrumental in leading me to the Lord. recently”. I was impressed that this new Christian was bold enough to discuss his faith in front of others including one person whom he had never met, particularly at a formal business meeting. Some Christians seem to avoid talking about the Lord at all costs, as if somehow they are embarrassed about the subject. There are those who would quickly forward an e-mail containing any dirty joke that they receive and send it to everyone on their distribution list, but would never conceive of sending a Christian related message via e-mail. I wonder how the Lord feels about this reluctance on some of our parts to acknowledge Him unless we need something?

The very first person that any of us turn to when we are in trouble is the Lord. You have probably heard the expression, “There are no atheists in foxholes”, and that statement is probably very true. When we face dangerous circumstances which could even lead to the death of us or someone we love, we naturally call on the Lord to help us through the
crisis. Many promises have been made when facing trouble that begin
something like this: “Lord if you will just get me out of this mess, I promise I will … I have prayed that prayer as I’m sure many of you have done likewise. The fact of the matter is that the Lord is the best friend that any of us have. He loves us far more than anyone on earth loves us and He wants us to prosper. Although no one will ever escape trials and tribulations, He is always standing ready to help us through whatever we face. A better friend simply does not exist.

On the other hand we must ask of ourselves, “What kind of friend am I?”
Have you ever had a friend that only came around when they needed something? No one wants a friend that is only a friend when they want something. I cannot speak for the Lord, but common sense and logic tell me that He doesn’t want friends like that either. The Bible teaches us that we should pray constantly about a variety of things. NOT JUST THE THINGS THAT WE WANT, but thanking the Lord for what we already have been given, pray for others, the sick, the poor, our leaders in government, the police, et al. It also teaches that we should acknowledge the Lord and spread the “Good news” about Him. We should never be embarrassed to talk about Him with others, or be seen reading His Word, or walk down an aisle in front of others in a church to publicly accept Him and be baptized. He walked (staggered) down a dusty road with a rugged cross on His bleeding back and in front of the world was put to death in order that we may live. Surely we can acknowledge Him for what He went through by strolling down a carpeted church in front of friends and well wishers in an air conditioned church. I for one appreciate having a friend like Him. I’m not the least bit embarrassed when I’m talking about Him, or reading a Bible on a plane and I do not really mind if some folks think I’m some kind of right wing Christian. I am a Christian and I suppose I would be considered right wing by the likes of liberals such as Bill and Hillary Clinton and their cronies. I am proud of the Lord, and I would
give anything to be more like Him. How about you?

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Matthew 11:32
“Therefore whoever confesses
Me before men, him I will also
confess before My Father who is in
heaven.
But whoever denies Me before
men, him I will also deny before My
Father who is in heaven.”

Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways acknowledge
Him,
And He shall direct your
path.


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