Friends in Action...by a guest blogger

Hi Everyone~

Friends in Action. This was a blog post that Michele shared with me when I was ill, thinking I may be able to type it out, and get it to you.  We contacted Marybeth Whalen, and she gave us permission to share this post with you.  You can visit Marybeth's blog at www.marybethwhalen.com.  Please visit her and tell her how you read her post on the He IS Able blog. Thank you Marybeth!

Please be sure to check Friday's post, if you haven't already.  It has a list of many winner's for the many cards we gave away for each time I was absent when I was ill, and again for every time we missed a "He IS Able Card of Week."  You may be receiving a bunch of cards!

Here is Marybeth Whalen's Entry titled:

Friends in Action

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."  John 15:13

What makes a goof friend?  Someone who runs errands for you when you're sick?  Who takes your kids off your hands when you need a break?  Who sits with you over a cup of coffee and listens?  Someone you can count on to see the latest chick flicks with you?  Someone who challenges you to be a better wife, mother, and follower of God?

In each of these examples, we see friendship taking an active form.  As I have studied the Bible, I see three instances of frienship in action.  Job 2:11-13 shows us how Job's friends came to help him as he faced hardship.  Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar dropped everything to go comfort their friend--even if it was just to sit silently beside him.  They knew that just their presence and willingness to listen would comfort him.

Acts 28:15 gives us a glimpse into how just the sight of trusted friends can encourage us.  Paul's friends heard he was coming so they traveled a great distance to greet him.  For Paul this was a huge blessing.  Sometimes just knowing someone is willing to make an effort on your behalf will put wind in your sails.  I love that Paul first thanked God for his friends.  I want to remember, like he did, that friends are a gift from God.

Acts 12:12-19 tells us how Peter's friends couldn't be with him because he was imprisoned.  But that didn't stop them from what they could.  They gathered together to pray.  The King James Version of Acts 12:5 says that they were literally praying 'without ceasing."  These friends knew that corporate prayer was an action they could take on behalf of their friend who needed them.

Whether we physically go to our friend's aide or spiritually partner with them in prayer, we can look to these examples from the Bible as to how to be friends.

In a society that is more and more driven to social media, texting, and emailing as a way to stay connected, we cannot overlook what taking pysical action in real time can mean.  We can be active in faith, in love, in joy, in kindness.  We choose to act because we understand that we are God's hands and feet to those He puts in our lives.  Yes, it takes extra effort, time, and even money to be an active friend.  But the blessings outweigh the effort as we live accofding to the examples God has given us.

Please pray with me...

Dear Lord, help me to be a friend who takes action.  When You lay someone on my heart, help me to feel a sense of urgency to move on their behalf.  Help me to follow these Biblical examples and be a friend in action, not just in thought.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

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I am so grateful for my friends and Sisters-in-Christ who prayed for me while I was ill. There were also people who sent cards. And, Michele...thank you for sending me this wonderful post on "Friends in Action." For that is exactly what you all are to me.  Thank you so much for being here!

Are you a "Friend in Action" to the people you know? How could your friends be a better friend to you?   How could you be a better friend?  How could we, here at the He IS Able blog be a better friend to you?  How about telling us in the comment section.  We would love that.

Your Friend,
Traci S.