I am one of those people who like observing. I love studying the bonds between friends. Sometimes, people choose friends who are exactly like themselves, who are totally different from themselves, who strengthen those they are around, or who make them laugh, etc.

I am no different from others. I have some friends that I consider real preps, that I consider spiritual, that I consider heathens, that I consider funny, that I consider intelligent, and that I consider somewhat crazy. However, in each person, there is something that touches my heart that makes me consider them a friend.

My favourite person to look at in the Bible is David. He was a friend of God, and was called "a man after God's own heart" for many reasons. David was a man of quick repentance because he did not like to be out of communion with God. David realized that the Lord was his strength, and a lack of communion meant that he would have a harder time facing life. David served the Lord in fear because he had respect for God. David tried to lead a blameless life, and this meant that he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, that he spoke the truth, that he refused to slander others, that he despised persistent sinners, that he honoured faithful followers, that he kept promises even when it hurt, that he refused to accept bribes, and that he had a mind focussed upon the things of God.

David also praised God with all his heart, and he knew nothing was impossible with God. He left vengeance unto God, and he would not dare harm those whom God had anointed. All these things touched God's heart, and that brought David into communion with Him.

From this, we can start to model our own lives, because we surely want God to say, one day, that we were friends after His own heart.

James 4:8 – Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (NKJV)

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, it is our prayer that You would mould us into people that You might consider friends. Lord, we submit our bodies as living sacrifices unto You, and we give up all control. We want to see Your glory, and we know that that is only possible if we can draw nigh unto You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

The other day in church, I was observing a young child playing with a very unusual toy. The child had a candy-cane-shaped container, filled with chocolate candy, and he was using it as a hook. All throughout the service, the child was content taking the toy and trying to hook people with it on their arm or their leg. While I was watching this child, a great revelation came to my mind. The child did have a toy, but he had so much more than that, even though he did not realize it. Not only did he have a toy, but he also had food within that toy. All the child had to do was draw near to an adult who knew that the container was filled with food and who knew that the child wanted it. Then, the child would be able to realize the full potential of his toy.

Sometimes, I believe we are like that child when it comes to God. Occasionally, God gives us a gift or a talent that we are content to use in some way that is not really the correct way. I also believe that sometimes He gives us gifts, but we do not really realize the full potential of His gifts because we have not drawn close enough to Him to realize the full potential. Like that child, we need to draw near to the One who knows our potential and our gifts so that they may be used for the edification of the church as a body. All the child had to do was approach an adult with hunger in his eyes, and all we have to do is approach God with a hunger for knowledge, wisdom, and revelation in our eyes. From this hunger and from this reaching out, God will help us reach our potential in Him.

1 Peter 4:10 – As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (NKJV)

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, help us to realize the full potential of the gifts that You have given us so that they may be used to further Your kingdom. We thank You for Your gifts. Yet, we desire to have a greater knowledge of the gifts that You have given us. Lead us into the true understanding of our gifts as we draw near to You with the hunger to grow. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

I don't know about others, but I tend to value my sleep. I love to sleep; however, due to my busy schedule I really don't get to go to bed as early as I would like. Usually, I am up writing a paper, talking to a friend, or witnessing in the many Internet chat rooms. Since I do not get to go to bed until late, I love to sleep in the next day as much as possible, if I have nothing to do. However, something always tends to wake me up. In the summer, it is usually the birds that I credit with my wake-up call. The birds outside my house start singing somewhere around five o'clock every morning. Now, I love the birds, but, at five in the morning, I would not care if God had left them off His creation checklist. My parents tell me to be thankful for the birds because they are singing the praises of God, but I tell my parents that, if the birds would wait a few hours until I wake up, I would help them praise God.

Even though the birds tend to get on my nerves early in the morning, they also have taught me a very important lesson. They are so prompt and so committed to get out there and sing every morning. Even if it is raining, they take shelter under the branches of the large pine trees in my front yard and continue with their praises. They are free to praise God and they don't let anyone hold them back. I guess that is where we get the phrase, "as free as a bird". From their undying devotion, I have learned that we need to praise God devoutly. Many times we let the things of the world get us down, and we forget to praise the One who created us and who delivers us from our afflictions. We need to learn to take shelter under the wings of the Almighty like the birds that take shelter under the limbs of the pines, and we need to keep on praising Him. I thank God for the message that He gave to me through the birds.

Psalm 34:1-3 – I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. (NKJV)

Psalm 145:9-10 – The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, and Your saints shall bless You. (NKJV)

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, teach us to praise you consistently. Lord, forgive us for our failings and our unfaithfulness. Guide us into your tender mercies, and teach us to praise you in the times of trying faith. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.