Internet Cafe

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Godly Friends


The Internet Cafe is blessed to welcome Carmen Schroeder this morning!!
enjoy!
Godly Friends

A friend shows his friendship at all times - it is for adversity that [such] a
brother is born. ~
Proverbs 17:17 (CJB)

Have you ever noticed that godly friends are like good bras? As a mother of four breast-fed children...well, I will spare you the downer details! Seriously, godly friends provide much needed UPLIFT & SUPPORT when you are DOWN! And their encouragement makes us feel a whole lot better, doesn’t it?! They are a perfect fit and you can’t wait for them to be around you! SEE! Godly friends are most definitely like good bras! I rest my lace...

You know these friends I speak of. They are there for you. They will not judge you unrighteously and condemn you, no matter how much of a mess you have made. They understand (though may not be able to completely relate to) where you stand. They realize we all travel an Appointed Way and cheer you onward to persevere in HIS strength through your trials. They are able to see the other side of a given situation and speak the Truth of the Word of God into your ear. If you do get off track, they will lovingly guide you back in the right direction...God’s direction....provided that your spirit is teachable.

For Proverbs 12:1 says, ‘Whoever loves instruction, loves knowledge; but he who hates correction is stupid.’ (NKJV)


She is the one you can count on. You know that nothing will surprise her. You know that she will love you REGARDLESS of your actions (good, bad or indifferent) - because the essence of grace is undeserved favor. She is the woman free of critical thinking, generous with her love and holds within her spirit a depth of Kingdom understanding and divine revelation. She bares a striking family resemblance to her Heavenly Father. Her face shines with acceptance and is not darkened by condemnation and fault-finding. She is a fruit inspector, but only of her own fruit! She is the one you aspire to be like. She lives the WORD OF GOD. Her words (which are HIS WORDS) and walk are in perfect alignment. She has a godly and reverential fear that drive her to her knees in humbleness and holy adoration before HIS Throne. You feel the Kingdom at work within her because you perceive that only the Father is able to supernaturally reveal both humility and boldness in and through HIS servant simultaneously.

She is a Merea. That is Hebrew for ‘a trusted friend and companion’. Merea comes from the root word ra’ah which means ‘to feed, to provide nourishment, to tend a flock.’ And that she does for you! She does not stifle your spirit or quench HIS, but encourages you with Living Water that you may grow in the grace and knowledge of the LORD. She gives those she loves, serves and prays for the GRACE, SPACE and TIME to grow. HIS Name is not blasphemed because of her ways. Rather, her conduct gently whispers to all who heed, ‘Where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty!’ Blessed Father, may we be like this woman because of Your Holy Breath within us. May all who read this realize THIS IS Your plan for each of us. May YOUR NAME be hallowed in us and may Christ be regarded as holy in our hearts in our ways (1 Peter 3:15). Give Your servants deep conviction that moves us to repentance. In HIS Name.





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12 Comments:

Blogger Patty Wysong said...

Great post! Godly friends are true treasures and blessings!

July 9, 2008 at 9:33 AM  
Blogger Lisa@BlessedwithGrace said...

Carmen, that is a great post. I am glad your prayer said "this is your plan for each of us." We are to be that friend. I know that I don't have many I can call that friend. I am so happy that my twin sister is that friend for me. Thank goodness for one-rate cell phone plans and the internet, so that we can communicate, daily.

July 9, 2008 at 10:28 AM  
Blogger Natalie Witcher said...

A good bra and a good friend...t'ain't not better thang...

July 9, 2008 at 1:05 PM  
Blogger lori said...

Carmen....
It just dawned on me that I posted about FRIENDS yesterday through our In Other Words meme...what timely thoughts for me!! My mom begged me for YEARS to get a REALLY good bra...I'll tell you...momma is ALWAYS right..:) and so are you! Godly friends are LIKE good bras!!

You cracked me up with ...."I rest my lace!"
Thanks for joining us today...a wonderful cup you shared with us today!
lori

July 9, 2008 at 3:09 PM  
Blogger JMBMOMMY said...

What a beautiful description of our Sisters in Christ -- I feel so blessed to have many like this.

July 9, 2008 at 5:04 PM  
Blogger harmijo said...

I wish there were more women in church groups and churches in general were like good bras if I am to be honest. I know they are out there somewhere, and I'm sure there are some great churches too. Sadly though I find too women in cliques that don't welcome newcomers other than to say, "Hi" :( I have joined so many Bible studies in so many churches only to leave after being shut out by my 'sisters'. My post isn't meant to make anyone angry, please don't get me wrong. In fact I am actually trying to minister here. I would love to find Godly women like this in a church and maybe if you know my story something like this wont happen in your church to a new person. Please make sure your women's ministries don't get too close, so tight there is no room for anyone else. Thanks for listening everyone, God bless.

July 9, 2008 at 7:38 PM  
Blogger Carmen said...

harmijo,
I understand what you mean. Throughout my married life we have moved 7 times...the latest being less than a year ago! And it of course seems to be a common prayer request to the LORD.."Father, show us where we fit".

I've seen a lot throughout our endless church searching over the years and have come to the conclusion that rather than looking for those types of friends (and have felt the lack of a genuine welcome along the way many times)...that He has called me to BE that kind of friend...HE even commands it in the Scriptures.

The pages of 1 Peter 3:8-12 are just about hi-lited, circled and underlined to pieces because He brings me back there every time.

HE has shown me that I cannot change one person around me (that is complete frustration!)...but I can be so changed that others are drawn to ask about it.

Another lesson for another time... (I have to re-visit these lessons often!)

July 9, 2008 at 9:19 PM  
Blogger windycindy said...

Yes, I have a few of these Godly friends and I certainly appreciate them. They help a lot through life's journey.....Cindi

July 9, 2008 at 11:01 PM  
Blogger Rebecca said...

Awesome, awesome, awesome! I am so blessed by your post today :>) Your words are so anointed!!! What a high calling to aspire to. I can only pray that each day, I will become a little more like the friend you have described.

July 9, 2008 at 11:07 PM  
Blogger harmijo said...

Thank you for your kind response Carmen :) I didn't think anyone would respond, or if they did it wouldn't be kindly. I appreciate that you shared your own struggles, it helped me feel less alone. So many times I see so many others having or sharing only positive experiences I wonder if there are others like me having negative ones. I appreciate your kind and Godly guidance and I will strive even more to be the kind of friend that will draw others to me. With your kindness you lived all you said in your blog and inspired me, again thank you.

July 10, 2008 at 1:14 AM  
Blogger Denise said...

Such a great devotion, thanks for making me smile.

July 10, 2008 at 5:19 AM  
Blogger Amy L Brooke said...

Great post. I enjoyed the part about merea's meanings.

July 10, 2008 at 8:28 PM  

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