OzThoughts Friday 20th November, 2008.

OzThoughts Friday 20th November, 2008.

Friday. For most people it the end of the work week and a time of beginning to relax with friends for the weekend. I remember when I was taxi driving I would be taking people home rather late from work after they had tarried with friends. If I was lucky, maybe a street or two away, I would pick up some other passengers who were going to spend the night in enjoyment with friends.

Men I was taking home from work would want to know where to buy flowers for their wife because they were late. Sometimes the ladies would ask if I thought they looked okay. Did I think their dress was okay? Did they look okay? Was I to say that sometimes they looked less than okay? Could I sound too enthusiastic in saying they looked fantastic?

Our relationships with others are governed by lots of things. For the Christian our lives are governed by Christ. Our choice of friends and our choice of leisure activities are all governed by Christ. It is interesting to meditate on what Paul writes to the Colossians:


10Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete.
11Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.
12So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.
13Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offence. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.
14And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
15Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness.
16Let the Word of Christ--the Message--have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God!
17Let every detail in your lives--words, actions, whatever--be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for the direction you give my life through Christ. I pray today as I meet and relax with workmates and other friends that I will live well for you. Help me to live and act as you would have me do. Amen.

I've a friend, of friends the fairest,
I have known and proved him long;
His is beauty, purest, rarest,
His is love most true and strong.
Ever since his kindness drew me,
And my newborn soul found breath,
Jesus has been growing dearer,
Till to lose him would be death.

Chorus
Take the world, but give me Jesus,
He alone can satisfy;
Take the world, but give me Jesus;
Neath his cross I'll live and die.

When my heart with joy is glowing,
'Tis of Jesus I would sing,
When my cup is overflowing,
To his feet my praises bring.
And when care and sorrow meet me,
Pain and grief and dark distress,
Still I cry: O give me Jesus,
He alone can help and bless!

Would you gain this friend so tender?
Would you find this faithful guide?
Come then, make a full surrender,
Yield to Jesus crucified.
Take his easy yoke upon you,
And his purpose daily learn,
Just to do his will entirely,
Pleasing him your chief concern.
Authors: Ruth Tracy (1870-1960)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 343

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