Today’s Readings:
Jeremiah 13:1-11
Deuteronomy 32:18-21
John 11:19-27
One of the most beautiful passages in scripture 1 Thessalonians 5:23 says: “May the God who gives us peace, make you holy in every way, and keep your whole being, spirit, soul and body, free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This prayer can be the foundation and road map for true friendship.
We all need friends and we should all have friends. But more importantly, we should have friends who desire our well-being in spirit (integrity), soul (holiness) and body (excellence). Such friends are fortunes worth more than gold. If the people you consider friends desire integrity, holiness and excellence for you, then you have good friends. But if they do not or they pretend to do so but are not actively contributing to excellence in your vocation or career, integrity for your moral life and holiness for your spiritual life, then ‘pick ya race’ before something happens to you.
Mary, Martha and Lazarus were Jesus’ friends. Jesus is God, yet he needed friends. He needed people to support His mission to do the will of the Father. God placed people around Him who He could go to occasionally to be recharged, renewed and refreshed before He relaunches into His mission. You deserve these kinds of friends. But they are gifts from God to those who ask it of Him. Learn to listen to God like Jeremiah (Jeremiah 13:1-11). As you pray to God for good friends today, I want you to look out for the following traits and not allow emotions becloud your sense of judgment.
A true friend must:
Desire your well-being in spirit, soul and body.
Help you be a person of integrity (truthful).
Help you seek the holiness of life.
Help you get to the pinnacle of your vocation or career.
Motivates and encourages you when you are down.
Pray for you without your asking.
Teach you from the wealth of their experiences.
Challenge you to do better.
Point you in the line of opportunities and help.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I have your voice today, and acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness (Confess your sins), in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart, lead me in Your path of righteousness and write my name in Your book of life. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a Bible believing and living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Lord, take away unwanted persons from my life.
Lord, help me to be a good friend.
Lord, give me prayerful, focused and truthful friends.
Lord, give me the grace to listen to my good friends.
Lord, make me docile to your messages through my friends.
Lord, deliver me from selfishness and selfish people.
Lord, give me people who will help me make heaven. Amen.
May God put the uncommon fortune of good friends in your life today. A blessed new working week to you.
I am now a member in Jesús might Name