1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV — Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

As I reflect on my friendships, I realize how blessed I am to have friends so in tune with what’s going on in my life who send me encouraging texts at all times of day. Sometimes I receive a phone call from a friend that is right on time that helps me to persevere in the midst of a bad day. A good friend embodies today’s featured scripture. A good friend builds up and encourages others. Are you a good friend? Are you in tune to the trials and tribulations of your friends? Do you reach out to your friends to encourage and build them up? How can you be a better friend today? Encourage a friend today by sending an encouraging text, note, or phone call.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for friends who are right on time with their encouragement. Help me to follow the example of Christ and be a better friend. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Proverbs 18:24 ESV — A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Think about all the friends you have in all the areas of your life. You may have childhood friends, friends from work, friends from church, friends you know through your children’s extracurricular activities, college friends, etc. As I reflect, I realize I have friends that fall into all of those categories except lasting childhood friendships. As the daughter of a United Methodist minister, I moved often which made it difficult to form lasting childhood friendships. Lacking childhood friendships doesn’t make my life less full of love. Each of the groups of friends have different dynamics and different blessings. However, they are all human friendships which means that like me, they have faults. There are times that each of us fail one another because each of us is flawed. However, we all have a friend in Jesus Christ who is perfect. He will stick closer to us than anyone else will.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Show me my imperfections that sometimes cause me to hurt my friends. Help me to be a better friend. Thank You for the perfect friend we have in our Savior. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

John 15:13 NIV — Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

This week we will talk about friends and friendship. Merriam-Webster defines a friend as someone attached to another by affection or esteem. Spend a few moments today thinking about all of your friends. Reflect on friends you have had in years past as well as your current friends. Then reflect on our best friend, Jesus, who laid down His life for you and me. As you worship today, thank God for the friend you have in Jesus and the relationship you have with Him. Are you a good friend to Him in return? What ways could you be a better friend to Him? Be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Listen, reflect, and obey. Begin your day of worship by listening to Alan Jackson’s rendition of “What A Friend We Have In Jesus.” May each of us have a Son-filled Sunday.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, who is truly the best friend I could have. Open my eyes, ears, mind, and heart to ways I need to improve on being a better friend to Him. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV —- Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
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Watch today’s See You Saturday video to hear about a fear Julie and I overcame together with the love and encouragement of Jesus.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank you for Your endless love that helps me overcome my fears. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

2 Corinthians 5:6-7 ESV (English Standard Version) — So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.

Pull out your list of fears one more time. Read through them and make notes on ways God has spoken to you or reassured you this week. How are you feeling about fear today? Are you ready to break up with fear? Take a moment now to listen to “The Breakup Song” by Francesca Battistelli.

Are you ready to “break up” with your fears? Are you ready to lay down your list of fears and trust God? Today, let’s allow our faith to be bigger than our fears. Let’s walk by faith.

Let’s pray. Dear God, I lay my fears at Your feet. Continue to give me strength and courage to trust, obey, and walk by faith. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV — Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Last week and this week we have been addressing our fears. Yesterday I encouraged you to remember times God has fought for you. Today, let’s praise God for His faithfulness. First, read this history of the hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” written by Hymnology.

Now spend some time praising God for His faithfulness. Thank Him for fighting your battles. Give thanksgiving for His mercies and compassions that are new every day. I encourage you to hold your list of fears up as you praise God and listen to this version of the hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” Draw courage from God as you worship and praise Him.

Let’s pray. Dear God, great is Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your new mercies and compassion for me. I lay my fears before You and praise You for the work You are doing and will continue in my life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Exodus 14:14 NIV — The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Take a moment to remember the story of the Israelites’ escape from Egypt by reading all of Exodus 14.

Pull out that list of fears you have been working through this week. Some of your fears may be fear of failure, fear you are not enough for a task, or fear of success. Now put yourself in the Israelites’ shoes, which were probably dusty sandals. Imagine their thoughts and fears as they left their homes in Egypt. What a scary adventure! Moses told them that God would fight for them and God did just that.

Now take a moment to sit and remember all of the times God has fought for you, strengthened you, and brought you through deep waters on dry ground,  just as He did for the Israelites. Reread your list of fears through the lens of God’s warrior heart. 

As you close your time of reflection today, listen to “Battle Belongs” by Phil Wickham. Draw strength, courage, and assurance from the words of the song and trust that God will fight for you as you face your fears today.

Let’s pray. Thank You God for fighting for me. Forgive me for times I focus on my fears instead of Your steadfast love. May I be ever mindful of how You fight for me everyday. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.