Can You Believe Your Friend?

Warriors Arise: July 15th, 2020

John 20:24-25 (NKJV) Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

When circumstances lead to confusion we need to know if we can believe our friends. The disciples were not only connected because they were all called by Jesus, ministered with Jesus, sent out before Jesus; they were all friends.

John 15:15 (NKJV) No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

Jesus had begun teaching His disciples of His relationship with HIs Father. He taught His disciples how to pray. He released them to engage in their own relationship with His Father. He had them join Him in doing the miraculous. Then he sent them out to do the very things He had done. They were no longer servants, but they were His friends. Not only were they His friends, but Jesus exhorted them to each be friends to one another.

John 15:12-13 (NKJV) This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

When we love others as Christ loves us, then we honor those around us as friends. We trust them and stand with them. Jesus was telling these disciples, "You are not only my friend but you are friends to each other."

Being the leader can be tricky. People can be loyal to you, but not necessarily to others in the group. However, a good leader will teach those they lead to honor, encourage, and defend each another. Jesus is a great leader.

Thomas was not there when the two men who walked to Emmaus, with Jesus, and then ran back to Jerusalem to tell of their time with Jesus. They were witnesses; Jesus is alive. When they finished, Scripture tells us the disciples did not believe the two from Emmaus. Then Jesus stood in their midst and rebuked them for their unbelief. He showed them His hands and feet. Then He sat down to eat, while they got a grip on the reality in front of them. For whatever reason, Thomas was not with the disciples.

We do not know if the other disciples went looking for Thomas or if Thomas arrived while they were still talking about Jesus' appearance. We do know that when they saw Thomas they shared, "We have seen the Lord." I am sure they were all talking on top of each other; their eyes were filled with wonder and joy. But it isn't enough. The word of Thomas' closest ten friends was not enough to convince him. Thomas would not believe his friends. His response makes reference to Thomas making a choice. It wasn't that he couldn't believe them; it was that he wouldn't believe them. Maybe he was disappointed he was not there. Maybe he was jealous of the two who walked to Emmaus, "Why didn't Jesus come find him?"

Thomas made a choice, "I will not believe." When Thomas made that choice, he not only rejected the testimony of so many who had witnessed seeing Jesus alive but he had rejected His friends.

What is Jesus saying to you during the pandemic, riots, and election campaign? Have you sought Jesus about these? Will you allow Him to guide you through?

What about your friends? Have you reached out to them? Do you encourage your friends to believe the promises of Jesus?

This past Sunday, my husband delivered a powerful message, Miracle Worker part 5. I would encourage you to get online and be encouraged by his message. Go to this link: https://youtu.be/pdNFq_Nvxhc It is worth your time.

Father, I submit myself to You. I want to be more than a servant. I enjoy volunteering to serve in church and reach out to those outside of the church. However, I want to be Your friend and I want You to be mine. I want to know what God is doing. Jesus did only what He saw the Father doing. I want to see the Father and hear His voice. I want to know what the Father is doing so I can join Him. I want to advance the kingdom of God here on earth. I have not known what it means to be Your friend. Could You teach me how to be Your friend? I want to learn how to be Your friend, so I can be a good friend to others. I want to be in fellowship with other believes as friends. I don't want to just know them because they attend the church where I go. I want to know them as friends. I want them to feel like they can share with me things that they are concerned about. I want them to receive encouragement when I share with them. I know my friendship with You or other believers isn't real friendship, not what You are calling friendship. I don't know what they are doing until after-the-fact and I haven't laid my life down for theirs. I ask for wisdom and understanding of what You say in regard to friendship. I ask for You to come and teach me about friendship in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy

My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.