On the Go - March 10, 2010

A person hangs with friends but too often is hung by those who aren't.

Live it
Some of the best advice I've ever received was to never give an excuse, because your friends don't need it and your enemies don't deserve it. But having said that, I've lost relationships with people I believed were friends because they allowed things to be said about me that weren't true and they never defended me or my reputation. Now, many years later, enter Facebook stage right. What a powerful tool for finding people and being found by others you haven't seen in ages. And there he was, my old friend, his family, a few mutual friends and others who readily discarded me for the sake of believing something that wasn't true.

I'm glad he's doing well, though the path behind us should be an example to others of what not to do. The strange thing is, I still consider him a friend and harbor no anger for his choice not to be my friend. The least that friends do is talk, the greatest might be to hold one another accountable. What I do feel however, is grief because pride is like the big hairy locusts of Joel. While it's true God can restore the years of their destructive judgment, what died along the way can't be resurrected. Think of it this way: today might our last opportunity to forgive someone before the One who has forgiven us, asks why we didn't. (Quick note: I just sent my friend a friend request and he quickly responded.)

Pray it
I can't receive Your love, Heavenly Father and then turn around and nurture resentment or anger. I again surrender to you and ask forgiveness for doing or saying anything that gives the Adversary any advantage within the family of believers. Amen

Resources
Why do parents leave so many possessions their children won't have to trust God? (2002)
Defeated, discouraged with no mind to go on... (2003)
The Righteousness of Jesus makes us Righteous. (2004)
How will the Gospel be made known if we never open our mouth? (2005)
God's word is energy for our soul; we need our minimal daily requirement. (2006)
Men will sell anything, even if it was given them. (2007)
The majority opinion doesn't necessarily mean it's right. (2008)
Children do many things adult don't, but should. . (2009)

How to Pray for... NEW!
My husband or wife.
Bless them for the way they've blessed me.

My children.
Remind them of your love for them.

Their school.
Weed out ungodly influence and replace it with Your Word and prayer.

Their teachers.
Give them passion for truth, not manipulation.

My children's friends.
Use them to remind my kids of their godly heritage.

My friends.
Salt their oats with your Word.

My work.
Meet needs today while giving me time to relish in your Holy Word.

My city.
Turn back plans that reward wickedness and persecute the innocent.

Governmental leaders.
Turn back plans that reward wickedness and persecute the innocent.

My country.
Crush any attempt to circumvent righteousness.

My President.
Deliver him from opinions contrary to your Word.

My church.
Give us more passion for discipleship.

My pastor.
Guide him to preach what your Word does.

My church leadership.
Develop strong godly, unwaivering conviction in them.

Sister churches.
Keep members from looking for problems.

Persecuted churches.
Increase their joy relative to their suffering.

Missionaries.
Teach them to witness in a way that will yield significant results.

The sick.
Deliver them from self-imposed spiritual illness.

The lost.
Show them what they're not looking for.

Those in despair.
Brighten their day with Sonshine.

Those in the hospital.
May their condition not worsen, but find relief.

Those grieving.
Open their eyes to see what You see.

Widows.
Bring joy when they mourn, fulfillment when they remember.

Orphans.
May they feel the security of knowing their Heavenly Father.

Myself.
Use me to accomplish what You desire.
3/9/10

Prayertower Devotionals are the original creation of James R. Green:
Just Thinkin'... (2000-2003)
Read the Bible Thru in 365 Days (2004)
Pray Thru the Word in 365 Days (2005)
One-minute Devotionals (2006 to present).

Scripture provided by God's Word Translation (c)1995 - God's Word to the Nations. All Rights Reserved.