While waiting in line at the Motor Vehicles Office a few days
ago, three young people in particular stood out among the
crowd. The young man was in line just ahead of me talking
with two young women who were standing outside of the line.
They appeared to all be friends and glad to see one another
as they joked and laughed. As the first woman while still
laughing, began to walk forward to take a seat, the man
purposefully slipped his foot out to trip her. In front of
everyone she stumbled but did not fall. She paused for a
second with a very puzzled look on her face, and then jokingly
slapped the arm of the man, but her friend took it a little
further. When she saw what had happened, she immediately
came up to the tall young man and while pointing and shaking
her finger at him said with a very sharp voice, “don’t do that”
as she kicked him just as sharply in the foot. The young man
also paused for a second with that same puzzled look as he
tried to laugh it off, as all of this was taking place in front of
everybody in the office. As the two women walked away still in
the spirit of fun, he turned around in line and very quietly
minded his own business. It all happened in just a matter
minutes.
As I stood in line behind the young man, I immediately recalled
the scripture reference that cruelty is of the darkness (Psalms
74:20). I thought how his display of fun was so unnecessary
and how it just robbed him of his nice appearance. I wondered
why he wanted to embarrass someone he treated so friendly.
Afterwards, I thought the real friend in this situation was the
one who spoke up. Though shorter in stature, and in front of
everyone, she had the courage to stand and speak up for the
one in harms way, even while others said and did nothing.
Without a doubt, a true friend is a rare find, the ultimate friend
being Christ himself. He lifted people up and removed the
obstacles in their path. He healed them with love and taught
them the truth. He spoke in defense of the less fortunate, and
gave the weak strength to stand. He delivered those that were
bound and set them free. Christ gave His life for His friends,
and then gave His Spirit to comfort them forever.
Bible Reference: Kings James Version
Scriptures to study ... Friendship:
Scriptures to study ... Cruelty:
ago, three young people in particular stood out among the
crowd. The young man was in line just ahead of me talking
with two young women who were standing outside of the line.
They appeared to all be friends and glad to see one another
as they joked and laughed. As the first woman while still
laughing, began to walk forward to take a seat, the man
purposefully slipped his foot out to trip her. In front of
everyone she stumbled but did not fall. She paused for a
second with a very puzzled look on her face, and then jokingly
slapped the arm of the man, but her friend took it a little
further. When she saw what had happened, she immediately
came up to the tall young man and while pointing and shaking
her finger at him said with a very sharp voice, “don’t do that”
as she kicked him just as sharply in the foot. The young man
also paused for a second with that same puzzled look as he
tried to laugh it off, as all of this was taking place in front of
everybody in the office. As the two women walked away still in
the spirit of fun, he turned around in line and very quietly
minded his own business. It all happened in just a matter
minutes.
As I stood in line behind the young man, I immediately recalled
the scripture reference that cruelty is of the darkness (Psalms
74:20). I thought how his display of fun was so unnecessary
and how it just robbed him of his nice appearance. I wondered
why he wanted to embarrass someone he treated so friendly.
Afterwards, I thought the real friend in this situation was the
one who spoke up. Though shorter in stature, and in front of
everyone, she had the courage to stand and speak up for the
one in harms way, even while others said and did nothing.
Without a doubt, a true friend is a rare find, the ultimate friend
being Christ himself. He lifted people up and removed the
obstacles in their path. He healed them with love and taught
them the truth. He spoke in defense of the less fortunate, and
gave the weak strength to stand. He delivered those that were
bound and set them free. Christ gave His life for His friends,
and then gave His Spirit to comfort them forever.
Bible Reference: Kings James Version
Scriptures to study ... Friendship:
- John 15 verses 13-15
- 13. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his
life for his friends.
14. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not
what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things
that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
- John 14 verses 15-18 and 26
- 15. If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another
Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive,
because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him;
for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
26. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father
will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all
things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Scriptures to study ... Cruelty:
- Psalms 74 verse 20 Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark
places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.
- Psalms 71 verses 4-5
- 4. Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the
hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
5. For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my
youth.
- Proverbs 11 verses 16-17
- 16. A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain
riches.
17. The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is
cruel troubleth his own flesh.
- Proverbs 17 verse 11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion:
therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Some hurt, others support,
but only one heals.
but only one heals.
| #6 Standing Alone by Faith |
Friends
by Sharon Johnson | 07-30-08
by Sharon Johnson | 07-30-08
____________________________________________
| Uplifting Word |
| Uplifting Word | About | Contact | Support |
| Inspired Reading |
| © 2008-2013 Uplifting Word - All Rights Reserved. | UpliftingWord.com | Fresno, California |
| Related Messages ... |
| #1 Love and Kindness |
| Audio References ... |
| #8 Forgiving Self and Others |
