True Friends: Standing in the Gap

January 20, 2015

True Friends: Standing in the Gap

“Hold a true friend with both hands,” a wise, Nigerian Proverb says. So true… A true friend. How would you define a true friend?

One of the biggest blessings in my life, even life in general, is the cherished gift of friends. The Lord has blessed me with friends I can call on in a moment’s notice. And friends who, even when we don’t see each other for months at a time, we just pick up right where we leave off. Friends who stretch me, grow me, grow my faith. Friends who quietly stand in the gap for me in prayer.

I just read about a friend to Paul in the Bible, a friend who I would love to more like. He’s only mentioned twice in the whole Bible and only in the book of Colossians. His name is Epaphras. Have you heard of him? Good, me either. He’s new to me. What a cool, well-respected guy.

“Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.” –Colossians 4:12-13 NIV

Isn’t that awesome? I love how he is “always wrestling in prayer for you”…I pray to be more like Epaphras for my friends and family.

In this shiny, new 2015, may we always be wrestling in prayer for others. May we always strive to be like Epaphras.

Reflect:

–Describe an Epaphras in your life. Please comment.

–For whom are you a true Epaphras friend?

Renew:

–“You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.” –Colossians 1:7 NIV

–“The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.” –Exodus 33:11 NIV

–“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” –Proverbs 18:24 NIV

–“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” –Proverbs 27:7 NIV

–“Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father…” –Proverbs 27:10a NIV

Recharge:

–Please pick up the phone or go see a true Epaphras friend of yours this week.

January 13, 2015

Drops of Encouragement

Who was the last person who encouraged you? Who have you encouraged?

Would you believe a cough drop is the inspiration behind me asking those two questions for us to ponder?

Recently I bought an economy-sized bag of Hall’s cough drops and found a pleasant surprise. As I was about to throw away my Hall’s wrapper, I noticed the words “A Pep Talk in Every Drop” and the following:

“Don’t waste a precious minute.”
“You’ve survived tougher.”
“Don’t give up on yourself.”
“The show must go on.”

I smiled. What brilliant marketing! What wonderful encouragement! I’m so proud of Hall’s. I will buy Hall’s cough drops just for this reason.

If a simple cough drop wrapper can make me smile and encourage me, imagine what encouragement precious you can offer someone, even to a stranger.

Encouragement is such a gift. It is even considered to be a “spiritual gift.” See below from Romans 12. A man in the Bible named Barnabas had a knack for encouraging people. In fact, his name means “Son of Encouragement.” (Acts 4:36).

Have you considered smiling at the Target cashier and asking how she is?

Have you thanked your mom and dad for raising you well and sacrificing so much for you?

How about complimenting the lady in the Chick-Fil-A with the well behaved children?

Or what about telling the adorable, little, elderly lady in the elevator how beautiful her scarf is?

It might be the only positive reinforcement or encouragement he/she may get today. Today is your day to encourage, to be a Barnabas. Be encouraged, friend.

Reflect:

–What is a recent example of someone who encouraged you or who you encouraged? Please comment below.

–How did that encouragement make you feel? Please comment below.

Renew:

–“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us…if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others; let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him to it cheerfully. “ –Romans 12: 6-8 NIV

–“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” –Romans 15:5NIV.

–“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” –1 Thessalonians 5:11NIV

PS. Happy, Shiny New 2015! Today is also a great day to print out my “Creating Your Personal Mission Statement Template,” which is free by simply adding your email address and subscribing to my weekly blog. My personal mission statement is “Shine,” based on Matthew 5:16.

January 6, 2015

Shepherding: Giving a Voice to the Voiceless

As we put away our Christmas decorations and haul our brittle and dry Fraser fir trees out to the landfill for recycling, Christmas reflections still linger. Linger like the few sweet-smelling leftover Fraser fir needles in my living room corner and in my vacuum. My mind and heart linger, still thinking about sweet baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds.

The shepherds…Before now I haven’t thought too much about shepherds. Other than I know the Lord is my Shepherd, as it says in Psalm 23. Why are shepherds on my heart?

The word “shepherd” is used more and more as a descriptive verb for guiding and motivating, leading a family or group of people. My heart’s desire is to be a good shepherd of people.

In Biblical times, shepherds were outcasts, really low in terms of social status. Imagine having to take care of smelly, stubborn sheep 24 hours a day, seven days a week, away from people. Supposedly, even in a court of law, shepherds’ testimony wasn’t even regarded. Shepherds were voiceless in society. But not to God.

God chose shepherds to be the first to see baby Jesus and tell the world about Him. The Lord gave a respected voice to the voiceless. May it be so of each of us.

“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” –Luke 2:16-20 NIV

“All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” Beautiful. Just like God to give voice to the voiceless.

In this shiny new 2015, who are you shepherding? Who is shepherding you? To whom will you tell the Good News?

Reflect:

–When have you felt voiceless? Please comment.

–When have you felt like a shepherd?

Renew:

–“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” –Psalm 23:1-3 NIV.

–“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. ” –Ezekiel 34:11-12 NIV.

–“I am the good Shepherd; I know my sheep and My sheep know Me. Just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father–and I lay down my life for the sheep.” –John 10:14-15 NIV.

Recharge:

–Who will you pray to shepherd this year? God as the Great Shepherd will guide you.

PS. Today, January 6th, at 10am, please join me to watch Lysa TerKeurst, my dynamic Proverbs 31 Ministries President and friend, on The Today Show. She will be interviewed about her New York Times Bestselling Book The Best Yes. www.lysaterkeurst.com or www.proverbs31.org.