file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db940330.txt
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          OUR DAILY BREAD                        Wednesday, March 30, 1994
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          Read:  2 Timothy 4:9-22

                                       FRIENDS

                          A friend loves at all times, and
                          a brother is born for adversity.
                                  --Proverbs 17:17

          A widower and a widow I know are both aged, shut-in, quite alone,
          and  on  the prayer list at their church.  And they both  have  a
          true  friend.  The  widower,  who loves  classical  music,  looks
          forward  to alternate Tuesdays because a young man comes  with  a
          couple  of tapes and spends the evening visiting, and they  enjoy
          the music together.

          The  widow,  who  is  diabetic and has  a  very  limited  income,
          receives  visits regularly from a woman who is very kind to  her.
          Recently she bought her a blood-testing device that greatly helps
          her  control  her diabetes.  It's something  the  diabetic  woman
          could not afford to buy for herself.

          Both the widower and the widow are fortunate to have at least one
          person  who really cares about them.  There are many  people  who
          are  friendless, and no one ever visits them.  There's  a  tragic
          shortage of those who will take the time to be a friend.

          Even  Paul,  who knew the reality of  Christ's  presence,  needed
          friends  as he awaited execution in a Roman  dungeon.  He  longed
          for flesh-and-blood companionship.  He wanted a heavy garment and
          some books.  He could get these only from friends.

          Lord, help us to be a friend to someone in need.

          Author:  Herbert Vander Lugt

                             To those in darkest night,
                               Go be a kindly friend;
                      Pour love and sunshine on their cares --
                            And broken lives you'll mend.
                                     --Zimmerman

          THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
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          A true friend will not let you stand alone.

          THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  1 Samuel 14-16











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