(All Bible text is taken from the NIV, except for those annotated with "***", King James 2000)

ISSUE #1  IS THE LIGHT SHINING?  As we adventure through our walk with Christ, we encounter all kinds of believers.  Sometimes, we meet those who have harbored bitterness and became hardened by the trials of life.  Their light has somehow dimmed and is in need of kindling.  Yet, others are extremely passionate and shining bright with their love for Jesus.  These zealous believers may be described as "sold out", "on fire", or "Jesus freaks"...all of which are commendable and desirable attributes.  Say, for instance, we are that dim light and we're looking for an "outlet" to plug into.  By God's divine appointment we stumble across a fervent light bearer.  With ease, we gravitate to them in the hopes of hearing a word of testimony or encouragement.  Joyfully, these hopes are affirmed through the generous sharing of testimonies.  We might say to ourselves, "God, you knew exactly what I needed to hear!"  These moments are to be treasured.  We'd be blessed  to make ourselves available for these opportunities, and once we obtain these friends of fellowship, treat them as gold!  (Especially for us military types who get moved around...let's take advantage of the fellowship time while we have it!) 

-"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)

-"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." (Isaiah 8:20)

-"Proverbs 20: 6 Most men will proclaim everyone his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?" (Proverbs 20: 6) (One who's excited about the things of God)

-"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death." (Revelation 12: 11)

 ("Him" Satan, "Lamb" Christ Jesus our Redeemer by His Blood - friend shares same testimony of being conqueror of Satan's attacks and deceptions in his love of our Lord Jesus and His Word - even unto death)

ISSUE #2  SO HOW DO BELIEVERS IN THE MILITARY, DEAL WITH THE FRATERNIZATION ISSUE?  For young marines in the local body of Christ, there may be times when you'll interact and fellowship with senior enlisted and even officers.  The Holy Spirit brings us into one accord.  As the old song goes, "they will know we are Christians by our love..."  If you are called to fellowship alongside a brother of higher rank, remember this"...against such, there is no law." (Gal 5:23)

-"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control: against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23)

-"Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  Not so with you." (Mark 10:42,43)

-"Better it is to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud." (Proverbs 16: 19) (Humble spirit and life style)

ISSUE #3  WHAT'S SO BAD ABOUT GOING "SOLO"?  Maybe you're just the kind of person who works better alone.  Okay, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.  You're capable of handling your life without fellowship..."Just me and Jesus, all the way!" you say.  Now we've all heard the catch phrase, "What would Jesus do." (WWJD)  Since we're on the topic of needing friends, let's see what Jesus did.  Upon starting his ministry, Jesus was recorded hanging out with friends.  First, you have Andrew...who asked if he could chill out over at Jesus' place. (John 1:39)   Second, Andrew's brother, Simon, came over and Jesus made up a nickname for him...Cephas or "rock"(translated to Peter).  So, we can see Jesus had camaraderie with these fellows and a touch of humor.  Their fellowship accumulated with Philip and his brother, Nathaniel.  Likewise, Jesus invited James and his brother, John, also.  Do you see a trend here?  Not only did Jesus seek fellowship, but acknowledged the need of his followers for a close confidant as well.  The Lord Jesus, by His foreknowledge, knew the disciples would need a solid cohesion after He had departed and the "going got tough."  How much more do we need to stay together if we are to "withstand in the evil day" (Eph. 6:13)? 

***Ecclesiastes 4:9-10  Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help him up.

***Ecclesiastes 4:12  And if one prevails against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

ISSUE #4  HOW DOES GOD CHOOSE A FRIEND?  Throughout Scripture, we find many examples of men/women chosen by God.  There were those who sought the will of God in spite of their circumstances.  On the contrary, there were also those who fell to the wayside.  It's fairly clear that when God looks at a man/woman, he examines deeper than a mere human would. Our Heavenly Father told Samuel, "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."(1 Samuel 16:7)  But how does sinful man keep his heart right before God when, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked..." (Jeremiah 17:9)?  It's truly a struggle...no one ever said living for Jesus was easy!  There will be times when we fail, but it's all about the follow through.  If we seek to be a true friend, disappointing our loved one should break our hearts, making us long to be forgiven.  The Bible says that David was a "man after God's own heart."  Now David was no perfect man...a war criminal, adulterer, and murderer.  He was held accountable for his offenses and the repercussions were severe.  Through it all, his heart returned and was set back on the will of God.  Likewise, in our friendships, we should "produce fruit in keeping with repentance" (Matt. 3:8).  And like the historical figure, Julius Caesar, once said, "To err is human, to forgive is divine."  Let's adhere to the words of Jesus by forgiving: "not seven times, but seventy-seven times." (Matt. 18:22)

***Acts 13:22  "...to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who shall fulfill all my will."

***James 2:23  "And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God."

<May the words contained in this text be a blessing to it's reader, Sgt Josh Kelsey