Several years ago Cheryl and I had to evacuate our home in Jacksonville, FL due to hurricane Floyd. We spent several days with friends (the Kalb family) in Lake City, Florida. Thank the Lord for good friends that are always there in hard times. We love you Charlie & Debbie!
There are all types of hurricanes. This one was named Floyd but yours may be called divorce, or bankruptcy, or abuse, or addiction, or sickness, or depression, or loneliness, or debt, or a multitude of other storms that blow through our lives. Hurricanes have basically one purpose; to kill, steal and destroy. Sounds like a verse I read in John 10:10. But Jesus comes to give us life and life more abundantly and friends can be a critical part of the solution. The scripture says in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 that, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”
I know that many of us “Word” people would say to just stand strong and believe the Word of God. There is nothing wrong with that, but sometimes we need a friend. Sometimes we need some flesh and bone to touch us, help us, love us, and just say, “everything is going to be alright”.
The bible describes a friend in Proverbs 17:17 “as one that loveth at all times”. Do you have a friend that sticks with you through all your faults, all your weaknesses, through the bad and the ugly? If you do, thank the Lord every day! If you don’t, let me tell you about one that sticks closer than a brother. His name is JESUS!!! The Bible says he will never leave you nor forsake you. Can you imagine that? Regardless of what you do, if you have asked Jesus into your heart, he will not run at the first sound of trouble. He will not hide when you are going through a battle. You can always call on him and he will never disappoint you.
The bible also says in Proverbs 18:24 that “a man that hath friends must shew himself friendly”. Most people judge by outward appearances, which is the opposite of God. God looks at the heart! Some of you may have friends that you really don’t even recognize yet. Some people are charming on the outside, and have a sparkling personality, but when tough times come they are no where to be found. Then there are others that are not as outgoing and gregarious but when the chips are down they always come through.
Cheryl & I want to thank all our partners that have stood so strong with us over the last 26 years of ministry. There have been plenty of opportunities to run but you have stood strong and we are proud of you for that. We consider you our friends and I hope you consider us your friends. We need your friendship and support now more than ever. Pray for us to have divine wisdom over the next few years. The harvest has begun and we are determined to be slap dab in the middle of it. Are you ready? Get ready! Get ready!
Scriptures About Friends
Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friends.”
John 14:18 “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
Hebrews 13:5 “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”
II Kings 2:2 “And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.”
Rev. Ed & Cheryl Henderson
New Life Network, Inc.
www.newlifenetwork-org-staging.smwnm894-liquidwebsites.com
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