Friday, September 18, 2026
Tim Cruse | Friday, August 21, 2026
Friday, September 18, 2026
“Charity…beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth:... And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” 1 Corinthians 13:7-8, 13
Dr. Lee Roberson said, “People change. A good friend today may be your enemy tomorrow. A business partner today may become your enemy and opponent tomorrow. The young man I counsel with so carefully and seek to lead to worthwhile living may become my adversary tomorrow.
But Christ is the unchanging One! Customs change. Nations change. Buildings change. But Christ is ever the same! Therefore, we must be guided by the person—Christ!” Truly, no one ever cared for me like Jesus.
Consider this powerful story someone sent to me:
“‘I’ll master it!’ said the ax; and his blows fell heavily on the iron. And every blow made his edge more blunt til he ceased to strike.
‘Leave it to me!’ said the saw; and with his relentless teeth he worked backward and forward on its surface till his teeth were worn down and broken, and he feel aside.
‘Ha, Ha!’ said the hammer. ‘I knew you wouldn’t succeed! I’ll show you the way!’ But, at the first fierce stroke off flew his head, and the iron remained as before.
‘Shall I try?’ asked the still, small flame. They all despised the flame, but he curled gently around the iron and embraced it, and never left it til it melted under his irresistible influence.”
Only the unrelenting embrace of true love and friendship like that of our Lord Jesus Christ which refuses to give up on another can melt a heart hardened by relentless woundings and the deep scars of life’s betrayals. Take the following truths about friendship with you today:
- True friendship pays, but it also costs.
- Friendship takes work - for lack of proper effort and maintenance it can die like flowers.
- Friendship is about giving and forgiving, and is distinguished by sacrifice.
- Agape love is when we are willing to suffer so others won’t have to.
- If you are willing to pay the price, true love will pay you back.
We reap what we sow, later than we sow and more than we sow. Take heart and keep being a friend to your friends, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).
Blessed to bless,
Pastor Tim Cruse
A Rope of Hope
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:13
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