Tell a Friend (John 1:50-51)

Did you know that more people come to know a personal relationship with God because of a friend or relative who told them about how much God loves them? It's true. Why would your friend trust a stranger?

When is the best time to talk about God with your friend? I found that when I see my friend lonely or in despair, or suffering I can say, "I've felt like that before." But if I haven't felt like that, if I haven't had their sickness, I can say I know Someone who cares because He showed me how much He cares for me.

Jesus called Andrew one day and Andrew felt so wonderful that he went and brought his brother, Simon (also called Peter) to Jesus. The next day Jesus called Philip and He couldn't wait to tell his friend, Nathanael, about the Messiah, Jesus, the Son of Joseph from Nazareth.

"Nazareth? Can anything good come from Nazareth?" asked Nathanael.

"Come and see," said Philip and convinced Nathanael to come.

Jesus said, "Here is a true Israelite; no deceit is in him."

"How do you know me?" asked Nathanael.

"I saw you under the fig tree," said Jesus.

Then Nathanael recognized Jesus as the Son of God.

Jesus said, "You believe because I said I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than this."

Think About It
This is how our lives with God begin. First we accept what others say about Him and then we accept Him into our lives. We learn how to have a relationship by reading His word and talking with Him in prayer. He becomes our Friend, a Partner in all we do. Is there someone you would like to tell about Jesus? Pray for an opportunity and then watch what God will do.

Pray About It
Lord Jesus, thank You for showing me how much You love and care for me. I pray for an opportunity to tell my friend, _________, how You made me feel when I was [lonely or sick or intimidated]. I pray for courage to speak boldly and lovingly. Amen.

How Many Times Should I Forgive?

Has one of your friends or someone in your family done something that hurt you? Really hurt you? Does it seem like it's impossible to look at that person or talk to him? Do think you could be friends again? Do you know what to do? Peter asked Jesus this question. Check this out from Matthew 18:21:

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."

Do you think Peter counted all the times someone did him wrong so he could find justification at seventy-seven times? I don't think so. I think forgiveness became a lifestyle and it must be our lifestyle too. Jesus died so we could be forgiven. If you have known forgiveness, you will want others to know it too.

We can say out loud that we forgive, but what is happening in our hearts? Here are seven ways to forgive from your heart:

1. Choose not to tell anyone how your friend hurt you. This is hard. Can you trust one person who will encourage you whom you know will not tell anyone? Ask God to help you.
2. Be pleasant around the person who hurt you.
3. If you talk to the person, do all you can to free him from guilt. Jesus said in Luke 6:31, "Do to others as you would have them do to you."
4. Do not remind them how much they hurt you. Once you have forgiven, you must behave as though you don't think your friend did anything wrong.
5. Encourage your friend by showing compassion.
6. Some days might be easier than other days to forgive. Keep forgiving. It's not easy, but God is with you to help you.
7. Pray for the one who hurt you. Jesus said, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," Matthew 5:44. This doesn't mean, "Oh God, please deal with my friend and the pain he caused me." It means, "I pray for my friend, that You would give him peace, that he would know Your forgiveness and love."

"Forgiveness" is not a popular word in the world today. It wasn't popular when Jesus walked this earth either. That's why He came--to show us how to live, love and forgive. Without God's love, "forgiveness" is just another word.

Think About It
When we truly forgive those who hurt us, we act as Jesus would. That's how people will desire to know and love Him. Is there someone you need to forgive? Choose today to take these steps to show them Jesus' love.

Pray About It
Lord Jesus, I am sorry for my thoughts about my friend. I choose today to forgive, and I need your help to make it real and lasting. Amen.
    

Dialogue with Jesus

Experience God’s love through conversations Jesus had with Nicodemus,the Woman at the Well, Martha, Zacchaeus, Peter, the Roman Centurion, the Rich Young Ruler, Simon the Pharisee, the Adulterous Woman, and more.

Dialogue with Jesus is fifty-two devotions for families, written to teach children how to pray. Bible stories come alive and inspire questions, acceptance, love, and faith.

A book for families, but it can be used for teaching by home schooling mothers, Sunday school teachers, and in mentoring relationships.

Each devotion includes:

• A retold Bible story with Jesus' words in red
• A "Think About It" section, which applies Bible truth
• A "Pray About It" section with simple prayers kids can learn.

This book is a work in progress, born in the Mentoring Track at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Find similar devotions on my Talking with Jesus blog. 

Please leave your suggestions how I could make this a great devotional book for families.