Shall We Be Friends (Part 2)
Shall we be Friends (Part 2)
Bill sat in his hotel room feeling lousy. He hadn’t talked to Pete for 3 years and life just wasn’t the same anymore.
At first, he hadn’t noticed the difference because work had been so busy that it had demanded all of his attention. He traveled around the world negotiating and closing deals, but lately, even the thrill of winning a contract had gone. Bill was plodding through life, and he knew that there was something missing.
As he thought about what was wrong, Bill realized that he missed the purpose, fulfillment, strength and guidance that he had found in his friendship with Pete. He still remembered Pete’s final words to him: “Call me anytime you like, I’m always available to talk to you.”
When Bill had got a new phone, he hadn’t given Pete the number. It had been so long since they had talked and he felt too embarrassed to call, he wasn’t even sure what he would say, and he knew he had really let his friend down.
As Bill sat there feeling depressed, he found a card with a website address on it which had been left by the ‘Dingoes’ organization. (Bill thought that this was quite a strange name, and he decided that one day he would have to rearrange the letters to come up with something better).
The address was http://www.PetesWord.net and as he opened it on his phone and began to read he was astonished by what he found. All of the things that Pete had said to him were written down plus there was some new information there as well. As he read, long into the night he was reminded about Pete’s love for every human being. Eventually he couldn’t help himself, he picked up the phone and called Pete.
He blurted out “Hi, Pete, it’s Bill here” and then came the reply he had been hoping for, “I’ve missed you Bill”.
They talked for hours and Bill was completely overwhelmed by Pete’s love and acceptance for him and that night marked a new start in his life. Accessing, reading and obeying Pete’s Word became a regular and important part of his life, as did talking with Pete several times a day. Bill had felt lost and alone but now he was found and he was so grateful!
“All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3.16).
Do we believe that reading the Bible can be life changing? If we do, then how much time will we make to read it and to talk with Jesus about what we find within it?
+++
I will admit, sometimes it feels like prayer is a one way street. We do all the talking and God is on the other end of the line! How long will you talk on the phone when the person on the other end says nothing?
It can feel that way, but truly it is not. Prayer is our talking to God. While the Spirit of God does speak to our hearts, most of the talking done from God to us is in and through His Word.
Too many of us find ourselves too busy or distracted to read the Bible. Sometimes we think it is just old and boring. But truthfully, since the Spirit of God inspired it and since the Spirit is at work in it, the Bible is the living and active Word of God.
The same power Word which called creation into being is present in our hands when we open the Bible to read. It is as we read it that the Spirit is working in us to deepen our relationship with God. This thrills our Father who desires nothing more than to reveal Himself to us in greater ways.
In this day and age, almost everyone has a cell phone. Try listening to the Bible as it is read to you off a Bible app. Many are available and if you need a good one, just ask. It is a great way to allow God to share His heart with you.
Have a blessed week. See you on Sunday!
Pastor Russ
Bill sat in his hotel room feeling lousy. He hadn’t talked to Pete for 3 years and life just wasn’t the same anymore.
At first, he hadn’t noticed the difference because work had been so busy that it had demanded all of his attention. He traveled around the world negotiating and closing deals, but lately, even the thrill of winning a contract had gone. Bill was plodding through life, and he knew that there was something missing.
As he thought about what was wrong, Bill realized that he missed the purpose, fulfillment, strength and guidance that he had found in his friendship with Pete. He still remembered Pete’s final words to him: “Call me anytime you like, I’m always available to talk to you.”
When Bill had got a new phone, he hadn’t given Pete the number. It had been so long since they had talked and he felt too embarrassed to call, he wasn’t even sure what he would say, and he knew he had really let his friend down.
As Bill sat there feeling depressed, he found a card with a website address on it which had been left by the ‘Dingoes’ organization. (Bill thought that this was quite a strange name, and he decided that one day he would have to rearrange the letters to come up with something better).
The address was http://www.PetesWord.net and as he opened it on his phone and began to read he was astonished by what he found. All of the things that Pete had said to him were written down plus there was some new information there as well. As he read, long into the night he was reminded about Pete’s love for every human being. Eventually he couldn’t help himself, he picked up the phone and called Pete.
He blurted out “Hi, Pete, it’s Bill here” and then came the reply he had been hoping for, “I’ve missed you Bill”.
They talked for hours and Bill was completely overwhelmed by Pete’s love and acceptance for him and that night marked a new start in his life. Accessing, reading and obeying Pete’s Word became a regular and important part of his life, as did talking with Pete several times a day. Bill had felt lost and alone but now he was found and he was so grateful!
“All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3.16).
Do we believe that reading the Bible can be life changing? If we do, then how much time will we make to read it and to talk with Jesus about what we find within it?
+++
I will admit, sometimes it feels like prayer is a one way street. We do all the talking and God is on the other end of the line! How long will you talk on the phone when the person on the other end says nothing?
It can feel that way, but truly it is not. Prayer is our talking to God. While the Spirit of God does speak to our hearts, most of the talking done from God to us is in and through His Word.
Too many of us find ourselves too busy or distracted to read the Bible. Sometimes we think it is just old and boring. But truthfully, since the Spirit of God inspired it and since the Spirit is at work in it, the Bible is the living and active Word of God.
The same power Word which called creation into being is present in our hands when we open the Bible to read. It is as we read it that the Spirit is working in us to deepen our relationship with God. This thrills our Father who desires nothing more than to reveal Himself to us in greater ways.
In this day and age, almost everyone has a cell phone. Try listening to the Bible as it is read to you off a Bible app. Many are available and if you need a good one, just ask. It is a great way to allow God to share His heart with you.
Have a blessed week. See you on Sunday!
Pastor Russ
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