OUR DAILY BREAD : BEING A TRUE FRIEND

[cimi]

TUESDAY MAY 16


BEING A TRUE FRIEND

TODAY’S READING
Genesis 14:17-24
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Melchizedek king
of Salem brought
out bread and
wine. Genesis 14:18
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Poet Samuel Foss wrote, “Let me live by the side of the road and be a friend to man” (“The House by the Side of the Road”). That’s what I want to be__a friend of people. I want to stand by the way, waiting for weary travelers. To look for those who have been battered and wronged by others, who carry the burden of a wounded and disillusioned heart. To nourish and refresh them with an encouraging word and send them on their way. I may not be able to “fix” them or their problems, but I can leave them with a blessing.

Melchizedek, both the king of Salem and a priest, blessed Abraham when he was returning weary from battle (GEN. 14). A “blessing” is more than a polite response to a sneeze. We bless others when we bring them to the One who is the source of blessing. Melchizedek blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth” (v.19).

We can bless others by praying with them; we can take them with us to the throne of grace to find help in time of need (HEB. 4:16). We may not be able to change their circumstances, but we can show them God. That’s what a true friend does.

__David Roper


**Jesus, teach us to be a friend of people as You are with us.
Give us eyes to see others and their needs and to take the time to listen.
Help us to take them to You, the source of life.
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A big part of loving is listening.

[cimi]

If there’s anyone out there reading this who doesn’t have a friend, or someone to talk with and needs a friend or a shoulder to cry on, or just to talk. About anything. I’m here. I’m a good listener

[notforgotten]

I agree, a true friend guides people to the light of Christ.

[mlg]

Wow, this was a powerful daily bread. I was so blessed reading this. I am thankful to call both cimi and notforgotten my friends. I too share the same thought as cimi. If you read this and need a friend, I too would be blessed to be yours.

[cimi]

Yes mlg. We are the “body of Christ,” we should behave like it. We should be transparent and ready to give a listening ear. I’ve discovered the importance of this very thing this past year and a half. I have needed so much to talk, and there aren’t a lot who want to listen. REALLY listen. So, i realize the importance of this. Jesus is a listener. He is. But He also tells us to be in community because He Himself knows how important it is to have human contact

[mlg]

Amen and Amen.

[notforgotten]

Yes mlg. We are the “body of Christ,” we should behave like it. We should be transparent and ready to give a listening ear. I’ve discovered the importance of this very thing this past year and a half. I have needed so much to talk, and there aren’t a lot who want to listen. REALLY listen. So, i realize the importance of this. Jesus is a listener. He is. But He also tells us to be in community because He Himself knows how important it is to have human contact

Agreed. Loneliness...the starvation for companionship and love, is greater in this world than the starvation of food.

[cimi]

Yep, especially when one has been alienated from almost her entire family. Brutal.