Friend, Best Friends (Part 2)

When one friend fails another, it can be a painful thing for both people. This is where many friendships come to an end. Peter and his relationship with Jesus show us this does not have to be the case. Our imperfections do not have to spell the end of our relationship with the greatest Friend of all. Our friendship with Him can continue and it can grow stronger. In spite of our imperfections, Christ invites us to become His friends.

Fear can be a hindrance to friendship. Fear can show up in a reluctance to join in social gatherings and situations -  places that often play a role in developing friendships. Fear can also express itself to become close friends with anyone because the person may disappoint or betray. The test of friendship may come in the form of a situation that calls for a person to overcome his or her fears and trust the person he or she calls "friend."

You may know the scripture where Peter had this kind of experience in his relationship with Jesus. After the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus sent His disciples to the other side of the Sea of Galilee while He sent the crowd to their homes. Then Jesus spent some time in prayer. His disciples found themselves far out on the lake in a fierce storm (Matthew 14:13-24). What happen? This led to another miracle, as Jesus walked on the water to His disciples. The Bible places the time of this as "the fourth watch of the night" (verse 25), somewhere between three and six o'clock in the morning. The disciples cried out in fear, and Jesus calmed their fear by telling them not to be afraid...it was Him.

Storms of hardship often pound against us. Like the disciples, we may become fearful during these times of difficulty between friend relationships, but we do not need to let life's storms make us doubt Jesus' friendship. We know that no friendship is perfect. Earthly friends sometimes fail, but good friends do not discard one another because of imperfections. Neither does Jesus. He is the Example of the Friend described in Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times." He is one whose love is loyal and constant, and who does not leave us when things become unpleasant. Jesus is our Friend. Our friendship with Him should develop into a deep trust, no matter what we may face. His friendship assures us that He is more than a fair-weather friend. When hard times come, He will be with us through it all!

Friends, Best Friends - Part 1

Friends of Jesus has been the theme of teaching my Sunday School class the last few weeks. It's been exciting and yet challenging. I find that most people do not analyze or study their friends. We just expect to have friends. We want friends that are friendly. Somebody that we don't have to manipulate to be our friend. We want friends that are reliable; somebody that we can trust. We want friends that have like-interests, and we are delighted to be with. We want friends that are sincere about our friendship.

Aristotle said, "Friendship is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies." Jesus and John the Beloved illustrated well this kind of intimate friendship. Three times John referred to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23; 21:7, 20). Their close relationship pictures the kind of close friendship Jesus desires to have with everyone who has placed his or her faith in Him. It also shows the kind of friendship we should strive to have with each other. Do you struggle to have friends? If so, keep reading my weekly blog. You will understand more about the importance of choosing right friends.

The best way to show our friendship is to point our friends to the greatest Friend of all - Jesus Christ. We may well gain a friend for eternity.

How Long?

Recently I visited a friend for a couple of days, and she gifted me with a new CD entitled "The Glory of His Presence" by Terry MacAlmon. You may have one of his CD's! One of the songs on my new CD is "How Long?" I weep as I listen to this worship song. Some of the words are How long till I become like You, how long until I awake in Your likeness? Is that not the cry of your heart today? I believe it's the cry of the Bride of Christ, the Church. We are longing for more of Him. We are hungry to be in His presence, to experience His glory! He is waiting for you and me to sit at His feet and rest in His presence.

I believe God is calling His Church to be all in all submitted to Him excited to be involved with what He is up to in this earth today! Yet, how we struggle to surrender to Him. He's calling us to be a spotless Bride, raised up in His holy power that cannot be denied. He has already given us everything to complete our calling: His shed blood, His name - that name that is above every name, His Word that reveals His will for our lives. Wow! We are a blessed people. I want to walk in His blessings daily. How about you? Are you putting Him first place in your life today? Why not mark your calendar for Peggy Teague Ministries next event; Saturday, September 10, theme, "Overflowing Abundance." Soon you will receive more details of this upcoming event.

Moving Forward in Christ,
Peggy

Liquid Prayers

Sometimes there are such concerns in our lives that only tears flow and we know not how to pray. I was praying about a concern when I realized my heart was broken of the outcome of this particular situation. We all have those. It's when your very insides want to turn outside. It began in the spiritual realm and has manifested in the physical. When we don't deal with it as a spiritual problem, it has no choice but to manifest. Spiritual warfare is tough. That's when we must dress for battle (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Tears in the scriptures play a unique role in spiritual breakthrough. Psalm reminds us that the planting of the seeds accompanied by a spirit of brokenness will not only bring a harvest of results, but will leave the sower with a spirit of rejoicing in the process (Psalm 126:5-6). This is a picture often called "liquid prayers."

First, there are tears of sorrow or suffering (2 Kings 20:5). Second, there are tears of repentance (Joel 2:12). Third, there are tears of compassion (John 11:35). Fourth, there are tears of desperation (Esther 4:1,3). Fifth, there are tears of travail, or giving of birth (Isaiah 42:14). Sixth, there are tears of joy (Genesis 33:4).

A passion in spiritual warfare is clearly needed. Is not our heavenly Father waiting on us?

Numbering Our Days

As I awoke this morning, deep in my innermost being I heard "Teach me to number my days." I know that is scriptural but I'm not sure I understand it.

I get out of bed and begin my ritual. I can hear my calico cat,Melody, meowing and wanting out of the laundry room. She is fed first and then Mercy, my adorable collie that lives in my back yard. I view the morning setting giving thanks to my LORD for His beautiful creation. I can still hear the scripture within and I wonder what is the Lord trying to say to me.

A couple of nights ago I ministered at Word of Life Church in Allen, Texas on the "Sevenfold Spirit of God." I remember how the Lord impressed me that He is wanting the body of Christ to step across the threshold of greater levels operating in the supernatural. One of the mantles we are to wear is the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding. I began to ask for that mantle as I was preparing for that service. Is this why I awoke with this scripture in my heart? This scripture was not in my message. I believe the Lord God is calling us to "number our days."

Please bear with me, my friend, as I meditate on this. Psalm 90, verse 12 says, "So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." First, if you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit is your Teacher.

I remember sitting in a meeting years ago as I listened to the guest speaker, Marilyn Hickey. I came to that meeting with a heavy heart of questioning God that I just could not hear His voice or know His direction for my life. When you are searching for answers in life and can't find them, you become desperate. I was desperate to know Him. No one knew that was why I traveled over a 100 miles to hear the preaching of the Word of God. I will travel around the world to learn of my heavenly Father. That evening the Spirit of God instructed Marilyn Hickey to write down on a piece of paper a scripture reference and hand it to me. I knew the Lord God was talking to me as I read the scripture, "But you have the anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things" (1 John 2:20). Who me? Yes, when you become His child, He placed all things within you. Peter wrote, "His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue" (2 Peter 1:3).

So,as we receive teachings from the Holy Spirit, He will instruct us in our every day lives. He will teach us to number our days by showing us how to place our affections toward the Lord, to live a life that is prioritized in His ways, not just His acts. As we receive His instruction, the scripture says we will gain a heart of wisdom. Hallelujah! That is what I've been praying for...oh, to walk in His wisdom that I may know Him more intimately and please my heavenly Father.

Life Is in the Glory

When you find Jesus, His glory is all around. His life is now in you, if you know Him as your personal Savior. His glory is now in you. All that He is will be in you.

When you go to work, take His glory with you. When you go play, take His glory with you. As you do this, His life will flow out of you to reach those in your world (John 11:25).

Jesus' glory has been given to you, do you believe that? Believe it! Walk in it! Watch - experience - His moving through you!

The Glory Is Coming!

      I was in the city called Nain sitting on the side of the street. I sat there watching as He entered my city with a crowd following Him. Who was this man?
     As He came near the gate of Nain, a funeral procession was going out. Does He know? Does he know that is the only son of the widow that's following the funeral procession closely? A large crowd followed her. I watched. He stopped. His compassion arose and he spoke to the widow, "Do not weep," he said as he touched the open coffin. Everyone stood still. Suddenly he spoke with authority to this son who lay dead in the coffin. "Young man, I say to you arise."
     I have never seen anything like this. Can you speak to the dead that brings back life? Where does this man come from? Who is he? I watched with questions running through my mind.
     As he touched the coffin, and spoke to the young man, the glory shone! I could not get close enough to hear for the crowd also moved closer. I did see him turn to the widow and smile with compassion presenting her son to her. I could see the widow's face from where I stood in the crowd. She smiled as she wiped her tears and reached for her son. Then I could no longer see her, but someone in the crowd whispered that she fell to her knees in worship toward this Man. Fear came upon the crowd and many began to fall on their knees to glorify God saying, "A great prophet has come among us."
     Indeed. I no longer am the same. From sitting on the side of the street watching the crowd until the time I joined the crowd and witnessed the glory of God manifesting before my eyes. My life is different. The glory has come to my city! (Luke 7:11-17)