Decision Newsletter ~ July 2006

In This Issue

• Featured Article - Friendship
• Prophetic Countdown - Replacement
• Decision One - A Just Cause
• Trips & Tips - Planning
• Join Our Newsletter!

Featured Article - Friendship

 

The Ministry of Friendship

There is a ministry which every born-again believer is called to! Every child of God is gifted and anointed for it, and any saved individual can powerfully and successfully operate in it. I call it "the ministry of friendship." It takes so little to get up and going in this ministry; a simple smile is the basic investment. Proverbs 18:24 says, A man that hath friends must show himself friendly. If we are going to have friends we must be friendly! If we go about looking as though we were just baptized in pickle juice, we will not likely attract many new friends. However, if you can produce a simple smile and aim it in someone's direction, then you can have a ministry of friendship! When I become a friend to someone, I have gained a voice into his life. With that "voice of a friend," I can speak truth that will benefit my friend and in turn cause our relationship to grow, as well. The Apostle Paul taught the church at Corinth about it. God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19). When troubled, married couples separate for a while and then come back and settle their differences, we say, "they have reconciled." What do we mean? Well, we mean that for a while they were enemies, but now they have renewed their relationship. They have literally become friends again. Often friends will separate over some issue. But when they forgive one another and have renewed their friendship, we call it reconciliation. This is what God made possible when He gave His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross.

We were once enemies of God because of our sins. The Bible states that through the blood of Jesus Christ we have now been made to be very near to Him! We have become His friends! (Read Ephesians 1 and Colossians 1) At the cross, God imputed our trespasses unto Jesus and reconciled us to Himself. Our relationship with God has miraculously changed from one of enmity to one of Friend! Now this is wonderful! What a privilege to be the friend of God. But along with this privilege comes a responsibility. Paul went on to say that God hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. What did He mean by this? Please allow me to paraphrase Paul's words: God has made us to be his friend, and has given to us the ministry of friendship. All-righty then! So what exactly is the ministry of friendship? Paul describes it to us: Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20). Again, I will paraphrase, now we are representatives of Christ. God is extending an invitation through us. We invite people in Christ's place to be the friend of God! One translation says that our invitation says: be the friend of God. He is already a friend to you! Wow! It is true, isn't it? God has already become his friend by the sacrifice of His Son. God has made a way for all of His enemies to become His friends once again! I want to encourage you, Christian, to begin to fulfill your ministry of friendship. Tell people wherever you go that God invites them to be His friend! He will save them!He will heal them!He will make their lives whole! He will be a friend like none other!How thankful are you and I that someone introduced us to this friend we have in Jesus?How wonderful it is that beginning with just a simple smile and friendly face, I can have a wonderful ministry of friendship. I can help others to become reconciled to God by just showing myself to be friendly. Proverbs 17:17 says, A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. The ministry of friendship is a ministry to the lost and to the body of Christ. We all need friends! A friend is one who walks in when others walk out. -- Walter Winchell

Also read: 2 Tim 4:9-11.

Be blessed and be a blessing! Fred Hughes

[Return To Top]

Prophetic Countdown - Replacement

Replacement Theology

The doctrine that diminishes the relationship that God establishes in the Bible concerning the Jews (God's chosen people) and the Gentiles. (Non-Jewish, Christian or not) is called replacement theology. The Bible does not teach that the (Christian) Church is a replacement for the Jews or Israel.

Read this recent article in the Jerusalem Post interviewing Paster John Hagee about his views on replacement theology and a Christian perspective of relationships with Israel and Jews. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1139395642585&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Also visit the site Pastor Hagee has created. See our News Weather & Sports page for the link or <Click Here>

Replacement Theology is an awesome example of the deception that these last days offer. Many have embraced these teachings, even whole denominations have followed it. It is a doctrine that diminishes God and His people and His promises to His people.

I personally join Pastor Hagee, Jack Van Impe, and other men of God in saying that this replacement theology is to be rejected by the Christian. We are NEW CREATIONS not Replacements!

by Fred Hughes

[Return To Top]

Decision One - Just Cause!

Recently I was challenged by a close friend named Steve to consider what a man should invest himself in. Look at David and his encounter with Goliath. David's brothers were looking at how big Goliath was, as opposed to David who was looking at how big God is. David did not know how it would turn out for sure, but he knew it was a just cause! David placed his faith in God and acted to right an injustice.

What is your just cause? What is worth getting involved in? Your kids lives? Your wife or husband? The lost?

What merits a just cause in your life?

[Return To Top]

Trips & Tips

Trips to grandma's house or trips to the other side of the globe all need some planning. Be sure that you begin to think of the things you will do and places you will go and decide what you may likely need. Then simply begin to gather those items and place them in your suitcase now! Having done so, you will sleep much better the night before leaving on the trip.

Learn to layer clothing - it works for the tropics, the Arctics and everywhere in between. You are ready for whatever comes your way.

[Return To Top]

Join Our Newsletter!

Translate this page into Spanish using FreeTranslation.com.