Philippians 2:1-5:
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”
BarbTalk
I have received the most precious gift so many times; I cannot begin to tally them. This gift is like no other, it leaves an impression like nothing else. There was a time when I would have run as fast and as far as I could away from this gift. Now, however, I consider it a precious and rare gift that I would never trade away, not for all the riches or knowledge in the world. It takes time and trust to receive it, and one must be equipped with a humble heart to be open to its wonders. When it arrives, I never brush it off as if it were nothing, no; I cherish it and never want it to go away.
What can this precious gift be? How can it touch my heart so? Where does it come from and where does it go? This precious gift, the irreplaceable, unchangeable, and incredible commodity, is the “Tears of a Friend.“
I have the honor of praying for others on numerous occasions. My heart swells with love and compassion as I am peering into the soul of another. Only the hug at the end leaves it’s mark: the tears of a friend on my cheek.
I will never wipe them off or pretend they are not there. They are the mark of the Love of the Savior, His compassion poured out, His love, and comfort, received.
The above scripture speaks about having the mind of Christ, and considering others better than ourselves. In order to accomplish the Master’s bidding, a humble heart needs to wait, listen, and then follow directions exactly. When praying for others, this must be the case, or everyone walks away confused. “Having the same mindset as Christ Jesus,” involves knowing His Word, knowing His responses and a quieted mind and heart to listen actively.
When is the last time your heartstrings tugged toward another? When have you searched for words, but couldn't think of what to say? That is a normal everyday occurrence. However, as I pray to have the eyes of my Master, and I look around, I see what He sees, and it is as if His heart has touched my heart concerning the need of another.
One time I was at church and was hanging around, waiting to see what God would point out to me. I saw a young woman sitting alone. The series we were in at church was something like The Father Heart of God. I went to her, introduced myself, and asked if she had been hanging around PCC long. As we spoke, I started to understand her need. I bought her the book that went along with the study, prayed for her and didn’t see her again.
Three months later, I saw her and was overjoyed. I ran up to her and asked her how she was. She said, you do not really know me, and you had no idea what was going on for me the day we met. She expounded on the fact that she had decided to kill herself, and was giving church one last chance. She said that the book I gave her was covered with tears, and it saved her life, and in fact, God had filled her and changed her perspective on her life. She had the mindset of Christ, as she had “encouragement from being united with Christ, comfort from his love, common sharing in the Spirit, and His tenderness and compassion”. She became His and He was hers.
What happened had very little to do with me. God saw her need and sent someone. If I had not obeyed, I strongly believe He would have sent someone else. His love reached her and needed a human vessel to deliver it.
I am so grateful for the wonderful opportunity. I pray that each day, you and I seek to serve and seek to have the mindset of Christ, so we can be alert, aware and see His wonders. Do not wipe away the precious gift, the tears of a friend.
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”
BarbTalk
I have received the most precious gift so many times; I cannot begin to tally them. This gift is like no other, it leaves an impression like nothing else. There was a time when I would have run as fast and as far as I could away from this gift. Now, however, I consider it a precious and rare gift that I would never trade away, not for all the riches or knowledge in the world. It takes time and trust to receive it, and one must be equipped with a humble heart to be open to its wonders. When it arrives, I never brush it off as if it were nothing, no; I cherish it and never want it to go away.
What can this precious gift be? How can it touch my heart so? Where does it come from and where does it go? This precious gift, the irreplaceable, unchangeable, and incredible commodity, is the “Tears of a Friend.“
I have the honor of praying for others on numerous occasions. My heart swells with love and compassion as I am peering into the soul of another. Only the hug at the end leaves it’s mark: the tears of a friend on my cheek.
I will never wipe them off or pretend they are not there. They are the mark of the Love of the Savior, His compassion poured out, His love, and comfort, received.
The above scripture speaks about having the mind of Christ, and considering others better than ourselves. In order to accomplish the Master’s bidding, a humble heart needs to wait, listen, and then follow directions exactly. When praying for others, this must be the case, or everyone walks away confused. “Having the same mindset as Christ Jesus,” involves knowing His Word, knowing His responses and a quieted mind and heart to listen actively.
When is the last time your heartstrings tugged toward another? When have you searched for words, but couldn't think of what to say? That is a normal everyday occurrence. However, as I pray to have the eyes of my Master, and I look around, I see what He sees, and it is as if His heart has touched my heart concerning the need of another.
One time I was at church and was hanging around, waiting to see what God would point out to me. I saw a young woman sitting alone. The series we were in at church was something like The Father Heart of God. I went to her, introduced myself, and asked if she had been hanging around PCC long. As we spoke, I started to understand her need. I bought her the book that went along with the study, prayed for her and didn’t see her again.
Three months later, I saw her and was overjoyed. I ran up to her and asked her how she was. She said, you do not really know me, and you had no idea what was going on for me the day we met. She expounded on the fact that she had decided to kill herself, and was giving church one last chance. She said that the book I gave her was covered with tears, and it saved her life, and in fact, God had filled her and changed her perspective on her life. She had the mindset of Christ, as she had “encouragement from being united with Christ, comfort from his love, common sharing in the Spirit, and His tenderness and compassion”. She became His and He was hers.
What happened had very little to do with me. God saw her need and sent someone. If I had not obeyed, I strongly believe He would have sent someone else. His love reached her and needed a human vessel to deliver it.
I am so grateful for the wonderful opportunity. I pray that each day, you and I seek to serve and seek to have the mindset of Christ, so we can be alert, aware and see His wonders. Do not wipe away the precious gift, the tears of a friend.