LonelinessWritten by Joyce C. Lock
Loneliness is everywhere around us, sometimes within us, and is often responded to with, "If you want a friend, make yourself friendly" (taken from Pr. 18:24). We gulp, give it a try, and conclude it does not work. Scripture always works when properly applied. Perhaps we are friendly for what we can get out of it (Ja. 4:3), or we take meaning too lightly. Jesus is our best model of what a friend could and should be. In all ways He has loved us, we are to love each other (Jn. 15:12). There is not much room for loneliness when our vessel is filled with love. All it takes is enough compassion to be difference (Jude 22) and, in so doing, we can not out give God (Lu. 6:38). In staying course, we may also find desires of our heart (Ps. 37:3-4) and to have both found and become a friend like Jesus. The most beautiful part being that we would have become a best friend to Jesus, caring more about desires of His heart than ours. And when we walk with Him, we are and are being made complete. Not forgetting we are also human, why not give others a break and love them anyway? Then, when they don't receive, just shake dust off your feet and try again another day. But better yet, seek those in need. It could just be that desire of their heart is same as yours ~ to have a friend like Jesus.
| | Matters of the HeartWritten by Joyce C. Lock
Being raised in a house full of girls, gift giving for guys left us idea poor. Shopping for dad was no exception. When asked what he needed, he would respond, "A million dollars and a barrel of spending money." Though humorous, not only was it an impossible gift to provide but, it was not even a need. So, if I asked what your need is, could you tell me? Would you know what it is? Perhaps you long, not lust, for something and feeling will not go away. Maybe your heart is aching or breaking. You might either be crying in your sleep or yourself to sleep. A situation could be holding you back; controlling, crushing, or compelling you. But whatever effect; a void, emptiness, and longing remains that seems to have no hope or resolution ~ wherein your world will never totally otherwise be right. Focusing on circumstances takes our eyes off God. Failing to separate it from need makes us prone to praying in our will instead of His (Ja. 4:3). If in examining your heart, that every action and motive is pure, you find need to really be necessary for your heart's survival; search to define need. When answer comes, you have found need of your heart and God's will for you. Man may have a problem with such a bold statement, but God does not. According to Jesus, it makes others suffer when they are told they can not come to Him.
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