Daily Devotional: Monday, Oct 26

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Friendship Reality

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Happy Day by Tim Hughes; Cannons by Phil Wickham; Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman; Came to my Rescue by Hillsong United.

Read: Proverbs 18:24; 1 John 3:16

Proverbs Challenge Chapters of the Day: Proverbs 19 and 20

Think: Many years ago while I was in 7^th grade I befriended a really great girl who was for whatever, lame, junior high reason on the outs with all the girls in our "in" group. There was really no reason for the social outcasting (you know how cliques operate in middle school years - there didn't have to be an actual reason). But I liked her and, well, she needed a friend.

We weathered the rest of middle school together, then high school and all that comes with it --- first loves, friendships lost and gained, her teenage pregnancy, proms, cheerleading, sports successes and defeats, the loss of her Dad, choosing colleges... We became great friends and remained so for many years until she was killed in a car accident just after our freshman year of college. I can't tell you how many times I've thanked the Lord that I took time to extend friendship to her all those years ago...And that when I thought I was helping her, it turned out really to be a huge blessing to ME!

Our world has so many people who need just one person who is willing to extend a hand, an act of love, a kindness, to change their lives. These people may not think they fit in, or they may be facing trouble that leaves them feeling alone, or maybe just haven't found anyone to connect with. Sometimes all we need to do is offer a smile, speak a word of encouragement, or offer to help. As followers of Jesus, we know and experience the love of God, so we are especially able to reach out to others and share that love.

Do: There are enough people to go around so that everyone can have friends. Let's make sure no one is left out... Both in our regular day-to-day life and each weekend at church.

Pray: God I ask that you would use me to make a difference in someone's life today who just needs a friend. Show me when to share a kind word, to reach out, to make the phone call, or whatever it is that would be a tangible expression of Your love. Amen!

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

Timberlake Church | 4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, Washington 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@tlcf.org