FRIENDS - ARE NEEDED

By Dr. Hoyt W. Allen, Jr.

The following article came to me recently and I contended that I should pass it on. It has been slightly edited and a conclusion added.

I wake up in the morning, And can hardly wait to see
If I've received a mailing, addressed from you to me.
I get my puter running, And much to my delight,
Your poems, jokes and other things, Come quickly into sight.
Please keep those emails coming, They are so enjoyable you see
Funny things, friendly things, Those things you mail to me.
But most of all the fun of it, Is knowing that they came.
From you my friend, The one I need not name.
A Friend does most or all of these...
(A)ccepts you as you are
(B)elieves in "you"
(C)alls you just to say "HI"
(D)oesn't give up ! ! on you
 (E)nvisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts)
(F)orgives your mistakes
(G)ives unconditionally
(H)elps you
(I)nvites you over
 (J)ust "be" with you
(K)eeps you close at heart
(L)oves you for who you are
(M)akes a difference in your life
 (N)ever Judges
(O)ffers support
(P)icks you up
(Q)uiets your fears
(R)aises your spirits
(S)ays nice things about you
(T)ells you the truth when you need to hear it


 

(Continued)
(U)nderstands you
(V)alues you
 (W)alks beside you
(X)-plains things you don't understand
(Y)ells when you won't listen and
(Z)aps you back to reality

The Savior of all mankind (Jesus) has given the commission to His followers to witness for Him (Matt. 28:18-29; Acts 1:8) and to teach (the lost) the way of salvation. If we are a real friend - we will strive to do this. There is no greater joy that one can experience than when following this command. Our world will never be evangelized unless each of us makes a commitment to strive to “get involved” in this task. The “unchurched” who refuse to visit a church building to be taught of the Savior must be visited and taught in their own homes. We should all be striving to prepare to do this.

No church can hire a preacher and expect him to do all of the soul winning. When people in the pew get “on fire” to share their faith the results will be great and wonderful!

If every church member would become committed to sharing the gospel with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc., as Paul instructed us in I Corinthians 3:6 (sow, water and wait for God to give the increase), we would very likely see a great difference in the attendance board at the church. Home Bible Studies are no doubt needed once again. When people will not visit the church building, the church (saved people) must go to them and teach the Word of God.

Plainly, don’t get short changed. Let’s be ready to meet our Maker. The Bible (in Acts) teaches that to avoid hell and gain heaven - one must:

1) Believe In Jesus As Savior (16:31) 2) Repent Of Sins (17:30)
3) Confess Christ Audibly (8:37) 4) Be Baptized In Water (2:38)
5) Live A Christian Life (14:22) 6) Be Active In the Church (2:47)

KYOWVA Evangelistic Association * 1541 S. 7th Street * Ironton, OH 45638
Web Page: www.kyowva.com * Free Bible Course Upon Request