“You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him.”

This gem was sent to me some time ago.

In Exodus chapter six God promises the deliverance of Israel from the slavery in  Egypt.

He says: “‘I will free you from your oppression …'” “‘I will redeem you with a powerful arm …'” “‘I will claim you as my own people, …'”

But what happened, when Moses told the people of Israel about the promise? “… they refused to listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the brutality of their slavery.”

Israel was discouraged by the brutality of their slavery. They did not believe anymore in the promises of the Lord. It says there, “they refused to listen anymore.”

“You can tell how big [the faith] of a person is by what it takes to discourage  him.”

The Bible says again and again: “‘DO NOT BE AFRAID; DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED.'”

“Though every believer has the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit does not have every believer.”  – A. W. Tozer

At the beach

“Be friends first.”

Have you heard that before? It does not matter to hear it again. Develop a healthy friendship.

Now, what is friendship?

Mencius, the Chinese philosopher, who lived from 327 BC – 289 BC said, “Friendship is one mind in two bodies.”

Frank Crane, a Presbyterian minister and columnist asks, “What is a friend? I will tell you … it is someone with whom you dare to be yourself.”

What I say now should have actually been said at the very beginning.

“‘You are my friends if you do what I command,'” says the Lord Jesus Christ in John 15:14.

Be friends. And both of you do what the Lord Jesus Christ commands and be his friends.

“LIFE’S CHALLENGES ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO PARALYSE YOU, THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO HELP YOU DISCOVER WHO YOU ARE.” – Bernice Johnson Reagon

“… the key …”

For a long time I have known a person who was really thankful, even for small things.

“Greatfulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy – because we will always want to have something else or something more.” – David Steindl-Rast

When you are together with people who are really grateful, you learn to be grateful as well – but I still have a long way to go!

“Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticise me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you. Love me, and I may be forced to love you.” – William Arthur Ward

“… the song in your heart …”

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.” – Author Unknown