Friends
June 03, 2018
Dearest Friends,
During this past week we have spent many hours studying God's Word and what He has to say about healing. It has been refreshing and energizing.. More and more, we see the importance of filling our eyes and ears with God's Word.
This Placard is on the back of the entrance door to our apartment. It is the last thing that we see before we go out into the world where we will be a part of many and diversified relationships.
The Bible records these words of Jesus, "...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10
The life we live might have many facets, but they are not about places or things. The life we live is about relationships. First and foremost life is about our relationship and service to God, and then our relationship and service to His people. God's Word instructs us and directs our steps toward healthy relationships in all facets of our life including family, church, work, and our relationship with our Heavenly Father. When we allow alienation in any form to creep into our godly relationships, that alienation can effect those facets of our lives. Allowing bitterness, unforgiveness, or anything contrary to God's plan for our relationships, will harden our hearts, even to the point of separation from our brothers and sisters in Christ.
At the time we began to let the Word of God filter into our lives, our primary relationships were with men and women with whom we had attended college, with whom we also were in "boot camp" in the military service, continued our relationship in the same assignments overseas, and furthered it after discharge with a "round-robin" letter and a yearly reunion. Everything seemed very good.
As we endeavored to insert things we were learning about God as a Father and what His Son's life made available -- as our relationship with God was developing -- the relationships with our friends started to erode. This was first noticed in the dwindling of communication , especially with the "round-robin" letter.
Then, one year when driving to the reunion in a snow storm, it churned in our hearts that this relationship was over. As we entered the parking lot entrance to the hotel, we were assured. After doing "figure 8s" in the snow for a couple of minutes, we headed home with light hearts.
While reviewing what had happened, we saw that there was no relationship with God's Word between us and them. Not one of them inquired where we were. Communication ceased to exist.
The life that Jesus made available to enjoy abundantly is what makes a true relationship of friends. Man really lives by every Word of God. When we are not sharing His Word with each other, what kind of relationship is that? We lost all our friends when we shared the joy of the fellowship of God with them. But God filled our relationship in with new brothers and sisters who were friends the Word's way. Praise God for His love and provision.
See you next week.
We love you all very much and pray for you each day.
Your friends, Ray and Shirley
PS. It would be a blessing to hear from you also --As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. Proverbs 25:25
