Romans 16 - My Greetings!

Our Romans study is coming to an end today. I am surprised about how quickly this month has gone...it has been a great time digging into the word of God.

Romans 16 is Paul's greetings to everyone there and a warning about causing divisions in the church. Most of the time when I read lists of names in the bible I usually think...boring. Something struck me today that caught my attention in this last portion of scripture.

Who would I greet in my letter if I were Paul. Who would be my mentors, prayer support, co-labors, friends? Paul realized the value of the body of Christ and the relationships that he had developed. God never intended for us to be alone. He knew that we would need family, friends and the church.

Everyday, I thank God for my church family. They pray for me, they love me, they are my friends and mentors; I don't even want to begin to think about what I would do without them.

When we value our friends and we follow the many lessons in this book in our hearts and lives, I don't think we would have the problems with division in the body of Christ. However, we live in an imperfect world and with this world comes imperfect people. So lets live lives in unity working together for the cause of Christ and be watchful of those who try to cause divisions.


So,If I were like Paul and needed to end a letter to those far away from me, here would be my list....

Greetings to my wonderful church family in my home town who has been so wonderful and encouraging for the last 8 years.


Greetings to my dear friend Jenilee for she has challenged me in my walk with the Lord and is a true kindred spirit.


Greetings to my sister Jennifer who speaks the truth to me when it is hard to hear sometimes. Her love for me is never doubted.


Greetings to the Neal's, my grandma and many other older people who prayers are so valuable and needed for my life.


Greetings to my in-laws who are always loving and kind.


Greetings to my parents who are the greatest support system. Who love me unconditionally.


Greetings to husband John who is my dearest friend and co-laborer in this great calling Christ has called us too.

and the list could go on and on! Who would be on your list???

27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

GET JOY!

I Peter 3:3-4

"Get Joy" Book Verses

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold and fine jewelry and fine clothes. Instead it should be that of your inner beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is of great worth in God's sight! ~What a great verse for women. God just knows how to get right to it. He knows just how we are and says this is what I want instead. A gentle and quiet spirit, oh how I long to be that ......and oh how hard it can be to be that.



I am an Anne of Green Gables fan. If you have not seen the movie or read the books it is a chick flick must! In the story Anne refers to certain people as, "Kindred Spirits" and it means some one of like character, shares same beliefs, same attitude, same emotions. My dear friend Jenilee fits every category. She is my Diana Berry (watch the movie LOL)! I have many wonderful dear friends that I have met over the course of my life and I love them all dearly; but nobody challenges me in my walk with the Lord like Jen does.

I think God understood our need for friendship and family. He even said in Genesis that it is not good for man to be alone. If we can find a true friend in our lives we are truly blessed. I laugh at how long Jenilee and I had together before I moved and when you measure it on the ruler of a lifetime our time together was like a blink of an eye. I met her in Petoskey. She was in our youth group (that makes me laugh too). But God knew I would need her friendship and allowed us to be together for a little while. I think God also knew He didn't want us together to long because we wouldn't get much done for the kingdom....we would be to busy eating at Hunan's and watching chick flicks while our kids played. LOL But, we were together long enough to build a life long friendship that would transcend miles and time.

I put this verse with this picture, because Jen fits the description of a gentle and quiet spirit. It is something I need to strive for and something I want to instill into my girls. Thanks Jen, for being my "Kindred Spirit".

Take the time to make a lasting friend and ...

Proverbs 17 "True Friends"

9 He who covers over an offense promotes love,

but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

17 A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.

Here are two verses about friendship. I never realized the value of friendship until my husband and I started the ministry God called us to do twelve years ago. My friendships that I have established have been worth more than any amount of money in the world. God understands our need for connection and help. He wants us to have people in our lives that encourage, love and pray with us.

This past year, I have learned about friendship more than I have ever had to before. Some of those friendships have been tested with fire. It is amazing to me that when I have been careful picking my closets friends there is nothing that has shaken that relationship. In fact, in adversity it has only grown stronger. That is why we need to use wisdom in choosing our closest friends.

This past year, I have also been learning to move in Christ compassion. For some reason, this has been a challenge. I always thought I love people as Christ does; but I have learned very quickly that is not always the case. Verse 9 challenges us that sometimes we need just let some of the stuff go that our friends do that is annoying. We are to also watch our tongue and not gossip about our friends and their short comings.

Verse 17 is an interesting verse. Matthew Henry's commentary explains it so beautifully that I will just post it here.

"Friends must be constant to each other at all times. That is not true friendship which is not constant; it will be so if it be sincere, and actuated by a good principle. Those that are fanciful or selfish in their friendship will love no longer than their humor is pleased and their interest served, and therefore their affections turn with the wind and change with the weather. Swallow-friends, that fly to you in summer, but are gone in winter; such friends there is no loss of. But if the friendship be prudent, generous, and cordial, if I love my friend because he is wise, and virtuous, and good, as long as he continues so, though he fall into poverty and disgrace, still I shall love him. Christ is a friend that loves at all times (Joh 13:1) and we must so love him, Ro 8:35. "

And when th winds of change and adversity come to you, you now have a brother! How true is that?!

GET JOY!

Check out my friend's perspective on Proverbs 17!