Christian Reflection and Prayer

by Julie Ackerman Link

(From Our Daily Bread)

Scripture:
 
Read: John 15:9-17

All things that I heard from
My Father I have made known to you
 . . . that you should go and bear fruit.
(John 15:15-16)
:
Reflection:

Someone has defined friendship as
“knowing the heart of another and
sharing one’s heart with another.” We
share our hearts with those we trust,
and trust those who care about us. We
confide in our friends because we have
confidence that they will use the
information to help us, not harm us.
They in turn confide in us for the same
reason.

We often refer to Jesus as our friend
because we know that He wants what
is best for us. We confide in Him
because we trust Him. But have you
ever considered that Jesus confides in
His people?

Jesus began calling His disciples friends
rather than servants because He had
entrusted them with everything He had
heard from His Father (John 15:15).
Jesus trusted the disciples to use the
information for the good of His Father’s
kingdom.

Although we know that Jesus is our
friend, can we say that we are His
friends? Do we listen to Him? Or do we
only want Him to listen to us? Do we
want to know what’s on His heart? Or
do we only want to tell Him what’s on
ours? To be a friend of Jesus, we need
to listen to what He wants us to know
and then use the information to bring
others into friendship with Him.


Sweet thought! We have a Friend above,
Our weary, faltering steps to guide,
Who follows with His eye of love
The precious child for whom He died.
—Anon.

CHRIST'S FRIENDSHIP CALL FOR
OR FAITHFULNESS

Let this be our prayer and our hope
on this Fourth of July

Let there be peace on Earth,
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on Earth,
The peace that was meant to be.

With God as our Father,
Brothers all are we,
Let me walk with my brother,
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me,
Let this be the moment now,
With every step I take,
Let this be my solemn vow,

To take each moment and live each moment
In peace, eternally.
Let there be peace on Earth,
And let it begin with me

HAVE A HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

"…you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted
mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12 NLT

2 Corinthians 6:4,6

4 In everything we do, we show that we are true
ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles
and hardships and calamities of every kind.
6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding,
our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within
us,[a] and by our sincere love.(NLT)

AN ACT OF KINDNESS

Despite his busy schedule during the Civil War,
Abraham Lincoln often visited the hospitals to
cheer the wounded. On one occasion he saw
a young fellow who was near death. “Is there
anything I can do for you?” asked the
compassionate President. “Please write a
letter to my mother,” came the reply.
Unrecognized by the soldier, the Chief Executive
sat down and wrote as the youth told him
what to say.

The letter read, “My Dearest Mother, I was
badly hurt while doing my duty, and I won’t
recover. Don’t sorrow too much for me. May
God bless you and Father. Kiss Mary and
John for me.” The young man was too weak
to go on, so Lincoln signed the letter for him
and then added this postscript: “Written for
your son by Abraham Lincoln.”

Asking to see the note, the soldier was
astonished to discover who had shown him
such kindness. “Are you really our President?”
he asked. “Yes,” was the quiet answer. “Now,
is there anything else I can do?” The lad
feebly replied, “Will you please hold my hand?
I think it would help to see me through to the
end.” The tall, gaunt man granted his request,
offering warm words of encouragement until
death stole in with the dawn.

Reflection:

An act of great Kindness. Not seen very often
in this world of ours. 

I am a Believer, I am a member of the "Way",
I am follower of Jesus Christ, I am a "Red
Letter" Christian.
Kindness should flow out of my life.  The world
has an excuse to be angry, but I don't.
I am a sinner who is redeemed, I should be
happy to be redeemed. 
This is what separates me from those who
haven't discovered the goodness of Christ.
I have a reason to rejoice, a standard to
uphold, and a Savior to pattern my life
after.