February 5. TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY 5, 2010
FEAR
DEFINITION:
Anticipation of misfortune or pain; the state of being afraid; something dreaded; anxiety; reverent awe of God.
SCRIPTURE:
“I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
We know that we have discussed the word FEAR before, but we are hearing from many that read our devotionals that fear is a major concern in their lives, especially among children today.
The scriptures have many references to fear. In Genesis 15:1 it reads that we are not to be afraid because God is our shield and the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 34:4 that he sought the Lord and He delivered him from all his fears.
Fear is something that we never really overcome. A recent nationwide survey taken here in America from children between the ages of seven and eleven showed that over two-thirds said they were scared because of bad things that happen in their neighborhood. Over one-third of these children were afraid that if they went outside alone, they would be attacked. The survey also concluded that children who watch over four hours of television a day are twice as likely to be fearful then their peers who watch much less.
It is not only children that have fear because many doctors will tell you that stress caused by fear is greatly affecting the nation’s health. We have shared with you in the past the results of a survey among doctors, that worry causes close to 65% of their patient’s sickness.
Let us remind you again. There are three fears that can keep you from knowing the Lord and doing His will. There is the fear that our sins are too big for God, the fear that you cannot live up to God’s standards, and the fear that you cannot obey God’s Word. Please remember that these three fears, if you do not overcome them, may condemn you to an eternal life in hell.
If you are facing the fear of losing a job, a broken marriage, children’s concerns, financial crisis or whatever, it is time to set those fears aside and read the verse above from Psalm 34:4 and the verse in Psalms 46:1-2 that reads, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in a time of trouble.” Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear. (Luke 12:32) God has not promised us a life without stressful and fearful situations, but He has promised to be with us and help us deal with those times of fear and anxiety.
You cannot have faith in God, trust God and be fearful at the same time. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. (I John 4:18) John describes God’s love as perfect and that His love casts out fear. God’s love is perfect because He loves us in spite of our sin and knows our every need. From the time of Adam and Eve’s sin, He knew that all mankind would need to be saved from the judgment to come when all of us must appear before Christ and held accountable for our sins.
Because of God’s perfect love He died on the cross for all of our sins. For those of us who have accepted Him as Savior, we need not fear the judgment seat of Christ’s on judgment day. Our faith in God’s perfect love enables us to overcome the fears we face in life.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 1:6.
“Being confident of this very thing that He that has begun a good work in me shall perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
PRAYER:
Help me today to conquer every fear that I may face in my life. Give me the desire to seek You first and to lay at Your feet every fear that comes my way.
February 8, 2010
Repentance: February 4, 2010
February 4. TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2010
REPENTANCE
DEFINITION:
Regret or grieve or do penance for.
SCRIPTURE:
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering towards us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 11 Peter 3:9.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Repentance is a gift from God. The sinner must repent before he can be the recipient of salvation by grace through faith. The Christian must practice daily repentance if he is to enjoy unbroken fellowship with God. The gift of repentance is an inward change produced by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit as the Word of God is proclaimed or read. Repentance alone does not qualify a sinner for salvation. Faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is also necessary.
The parable of the prodigal son written in Luke 15: 11-32 is a perfect example of repentance. Repentance is a change--- a change of mind, heart and will. The prodigal son first came to himself realizing he had made a mistake. This was his intellectual (mind) change. Secondly he had a change of heart and said “I have sinned.” And thirdly he had a change of will --- He said “I will arise and go to my father.”
John the Baptist preached repentance. His message was loud and clearly spoken as proclaimed in Matthew 3: 2, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He was the forerunner of Jesus and proclaimed the good news of the arrival of the Messiah.
Peter preached repentance at Pentecost. In Acts 2:38 we read that Peter preached, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins.” Many responded that day to his message of repentance.
Jesus preached repentance. When He began His Galilean ministry His first sermon was “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” Mark 1:15.
Repentance has eternal consequences. This is illustrated by a true story that occurred some years ago. A nineteen year old held up a bank with two others. The case was later closed when the two other men, who were caught, were killed in a car accident. So the young man was certain that he would never be caught. Time went on, he got married and worked hard at trying to reform but his guilt was haunting him day and night.
Someone gave him a gospel tract on the street and he read the words on that track, “Whosoever shall call upon the Lord shall be saved.” For the first time he saw that God had already forgiven him of his sins if only he would repent, believe and accept God’s pardon. He did so but knew that he still was guilty of a serious crime. His desire to be Christ-like drove him to confess to the crime and pay back the bank what he had stolen. But the statute of limitations had past so he was set free.
Today this man --- the nineteen year old who robbed a bank --- is an outstanding Christian layman not because he decided to reform his life but because of his repentance and God’s forgiving grace.
One of the toughest things to do in life is to repent. This is because we do not like to admit we are wrong. But if you want God’s blessing on your life you need to begin by repenting of your sins and accepting God’s payment for your sins.
True repentance leads to a complete turn-around in one’s life. When repentance is genuine a person will turn from rebelling against God to being obedient to God and God’s commandments. Instead of living for self and doing whatever pleases oneself a person will want to please God.
God will expect you to repent of all your sins and confess them to Him and then make restitution to those you have hurt. Now is the time for you to act. Tomorrow may be too late because our Lord could return any day and we need to have already accepted God’s free gift of eternal life that only comes through repentance.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse this week is found in Philippians 1:6.
“Being confident of this very thing that He who has begun a good work in you shall perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
PRAYER:
Help me to turn from my sinful ways and be obedient to You. Help me to daily ask Your forgiveness for the sins that I commit. Give me a spirit of forgiveness and help me to realize that I need to forgive others just as You have forgiven me.
REPENTANCE
DEFINITION:
Regret or grieve or do penance for.
SCRIPTURE:
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering towards us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 11 Peter 3:9.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Repentance is a gift from God. The sinner must repent before he can be the recipient of salvation by grace through faith. The Christian must practice daily repentance if he is to enjoy unbroken fellowship with God. The gift of repentance is an inward change produced by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit as the Word of God is proclaimed or read. Repentance alone does not qualify a sinner for salvation. Faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is also necessary.
The parable of the prodigal son written in Luke 15: 11-32 is a perfect example of repentance. Repentance is a change--- a change of mind, heart and will. The prodigal son first came to himself realizing he had made a mistake. This was his intellectual (mind) change. Secondly he had a change of heart and said “I have sinned.” And thirdly he had a change of will --- He said “I will arise and go to my father.”
John the Baptist preached repentance. His message was loud and clearly spoken as proclaimed in Matthew 3: 2, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He was the forerunner of Jesus and proclaimed the good news of the arrival of the Messiah.
Peter preached repentance at Pentecost. In Acts 2:38 we read that Peter preached, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins.” Many responded that day to his message of repentance.
Jesus preached repentance. When He began His Galilean ministry His first sermon was “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” Mark 1:15.
Repentance has eternal consequences. This is illustrated by a true story that occurred some years ago. A nineteen year old held up a bank with two others. The case was later closed when the two other men, who were caught, were killed in a car accident. So the young man was certain that he would never be caught. Time went on, he got married and worked hard at trying to reform but his guilt was haunting him day and night.
Someone gave him a gospel tract on the street and he read the words on that track, “Whosoever shall call upon the Lord shall be saved.” For the first time he saw that God had already forgiven him of his sins if only he would repent, believe and accept God’s pardon. He did so but knew that he still was guilty of a serious crime. His desire to be Christ-like drove him to confess to the crime and pay back the bank what he had stolen. But the statute of limitations had past so he was set free.
Today this man --- the nineteen year old who robbed a bank --- is an outstanding Christian layman not because he decided to reform his life but because of his repentance and God’s forgiving grace.
One of the toughest things to do in life is to repent. This is because we do not like to admit we are wrong. But if you want God’s blessing on your life you need to begin by repenting of your sins and accepting God’s payment for your sins.
True repentance leads to a complete turn-around in one’s life. When repentance is genuine a person will turn from rebelling against God to being obedient to God and God’s commandments. Instead of living for self and doing whatever pleases oneself a person will want to please God.
God will expect you to repent of all your sins and confess them to Him and then make restitution to those you have hurt. Now is the time for you to act. Tomorrow may be too late because our Lord could return any day and we need to have already accepted God’s free gift of eternal life that only comes through repentance.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse this week is found in Philippians 1:6.
“Being confident of this very thing that He who has begun a good work in you shall perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
PRAYER:
Help me to turn from my sinful ways and be obedient to You. Help me to daily ask Your forgiveness for the sins that I commit. Give me a spirit of forgiveness and help me to realize that I need to forgive others just as You have forgiven me.
Anger: February 3, 2010
FEBRUARY 3. TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2010.
ANGER
DEFINITION:
A strong emotion of displeasure and resentment or wrath.
SCRIPTURE:
“In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” Ephesians 4:26-27.
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. Proverbs 29:11.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Webster says anger is a strong emotion. Not only is anger a strong emotion it is a dangerous emotion. Anger motivates people to make bad decisions that often lead to violence. People do things in anger that they would not normally do and then they regret it later.
God does not say that we will not get angry. We read in the Bible that God Himself gets angry. What angers God is the godliness and wickedness of people. (Romans 1:18) In Numbers 32:13 we read, “The Lord’s anger burned against Israel and He made them wander in the desert for forty years, until the whole generation of those who had done evil in His sight was gone.” God’s anger is always justified and His punishment is just.
What we must understand about anger is that God wants us to control our anger and handle it wisely and properly. The writer of Proverbs advises us to be wise and keep anger under control. Paul’s advice, in Ephesians 4, on anger is to not allow it to cause us to be evil and sin, but to handle it thoughtfully and deal with it immediately. Unresolved anger leads to bitterness and destroys relationships.
Every family has to deal with times of anger between its members. It happens in the best of families. There is no perfect child that has never made his or her parents angry. As every parent knows, parenting is not easy. When parents get angry with a child they must stop and think whether their anger is justified. Children must be disciplined when it is merited, but parents must make sure the punishment is done in a loving and caring manner. The purpose of discipline is to help a child learn and grow. It is quite natural for children to dislike discipline, even when they know they deserve it. They react with anger against the parent. Children will try the patience of a parent but parents must remain firm and consistent in their discipline, but always letting your children know they are loved.
Parents have the responsibility of demonstrating to their children how to deal with anger by showing them how they deal with anger. If children see their parents “fly off the handle” and yell and scream and rant and rave at one another they are sending a message to their children that that is what you do when angry.
Husbands and wives often get upset with little things but fail to resolve them immediately and soon they grow into major issues and anger builds. It takes a conscious effort when we are angry to keep under control and deal with the issue wisely. A mature person, one that lives by God’s Word, always should exhibit understanding by keeping cool in a time of conflict.
Thomas Jefferson said on February 21, 1825: “When angry, count to ten before you speak; if you are very angry count to one hundred.” We add to his advice of long ago, while you are counting ask God for a calm spirit, a cool head and a tender heart.
In Proverbs 15:1 it reads that a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Try it! It really works!
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 1:6.
“Being confident of this very thing that He who has begun a good work in you shall perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to control my anger and restrain me from lashing out with angry and hurtful words when others give me a cause to be angry. Help me to set the right example for my children in the way I deal with my anger.
ANGER
DEFINITION:
A strong emotion of displeasure and resentment or wrath.
SCRIPTURE:
“In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” Ephesians 4:26-27.
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. Proverbs 29:11.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Webster says anger is a strong emotion. Not only is anger a strong emotion it is a dangerous emotion. Anger motivates people to make bad decisions that often lead to violence. People do things in anger that they would not normally do and then they regret it later.
God does not say that we will not get angry. We read in the Bible that God Himself gets angry. What angers God is the godliness and wickedness of people. (Romans 1:18) In Numbers 32:13 we read, “The Lord’s anger burned against Israel and He made them wander in the desert for forty years, until the whole generation of those who had done evil in His sight was gone.” God’s anger is always justified and His punishment is just.
What we must understand about anger is that God wants us to control our anger and handle it wisely and properly. The writer of Proverbs advises us to be wise and keep anger under control. Paul’s advice, in Ephesians 4, on anger is to not allow it to cause us to be evil and sin, but to handle it thoughtfully and deal with it immediately. Unresolved anger leads to bitterness and destroys relationships.
Every family has to deal with times of anger between its members. It happens in the best of families. There is no perfect child that has never made his or her parents angry. As every parent knows, parenting is not easy. When parents get angry with a child they must stop and think whether their anger is justified. Children must be disciplined when it is merited, but parents must make sure the punishment is done in a loving and caring manner. The purpose of discipline is to help a child learn and grow. It is quite natural for children to dislike discipline, even when they know they deserve it. They react with anger against the parent. Children will try the patience of a parent but parents must remain firm and consistent in their discipline, but always letting your children know they are loved.
Parents have the responsibility of demonstrating to their children how to deal with anger by showing them how they deal with anger. If children see their parents “fly off the handle” and yell and scream and rant and rave at one another they are sending a message to their children that that is what you do when angry.
Husbands and wives often get upset with little things but fail to resolve them immediately and soon they grow into major issues and anger builds. It takes a conscious effort when we are angry to keep under control and deal with the issue wisely. A mature person, one that lives by God’s Word, always should exhibit understanding by keeping cool in a time of conflict.
Thomas Jefferson said on February 21, 1825: “When angry, count to ten before you speak; if you are very angry count to one hundred.” We add to his advice of long ago, while you are counting ask God for a calm spirit, a cool head and a tender heart.
In Proverbs 15:1 it reads that a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Try it! It really works!
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 1:6.
“Being confident of this very thing that He who has begun a good work in you shall perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to control my anger and restrain me from lashing out with angry and hurtful words when others give me a cause to be angry. Help me to set the right example for my children in the way I deal with my anger.
Integrity: February 2, 2010
February 2. TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2010
INTEGRITY
DEFINITION:
Fidelity to moral principles, honesty, soundness and completeness.
SCRIPTURE:
“But as for me, I will walk in my integrity.” Psalm 26:11.
“As for me, You uphold me in my integrity.” Psalm 41: 12.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
It has been said that the word “integrity” is best described by what we do when no one is watching. Integrity is being who we say we are. When a person is described by being called a person of integrity, this is probably the highest praise one can be given. The verse in Proverbs 11:3 says that “The integrity of the upright will guide them.” Great and true leaders must have personal integrity to be successful leaders. Take a moment to think how many people you can name that you would call a person of integrity and would be comfortable calling a friend?
When Satan attacked Job, the Lord referred to the integrity of Job in words that we need to use as standards in developing integrity in our lives. The Lord said to Satan: “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on this earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you excited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.”Job 2:3. Later Job 31:6. Job defends his integrity to his friends, saying “Let me be weighed on honest scales, that God may know his integrity.”
Job was a man of true integrity. He was severely tested and tormented by Satan but never turned away from God. Job did not allow painful circumstances to change who he was. He kept his integrity and remained upright and faithful to God.
Look at the standards outlined in these verses. We need to be blameless, upright, one who fears God, one who shuns evil and when Satan tempts you make sure you do not allow him to tempt you into disobedience. We build our integrity by setting standards like these in our lives.
President Lincoln, we are told when we read history, once was given a request for 5000 additional recruits to fight in the civil war. His political advisors strongly recommended that he turn down the request because it would affect his reelection. But Lincoln’s decision was firm and he stated, “ It is not necessary for me to be reelected but it is necessary for our soldiers on the front line to be reinforced.” He went on to say, “If I go down under this act, I will go down with my colors flying high and with integrity.”
In later years Henry Cabot Lodge said on February 12, 1909 “That nation has not lived in vain which has given the world Washington and Lincoln, the best great men and the greatest good men with integrity whom history can show.”
Unfortunately, we do not see integrity in our leaders any more. In reality Jesus was the only one to live on this earth with complete integrity and uprighteousness.
We have constantly told our children by our words and by our actions that integrity is a must in our lives. Our trustworthiness is built on our honesty and integrity. Think how difficult it is to rebuild one’s integrity. Once it is lost it is almost impossible to regain. It just takes one “goof” and one’s integrity is shot. Everyone will face times when they will be tempted to compromise their values and if they do they will lose their integrity. That is why it is so important to read the Bible every day and let God communicate with you and pray so you can communicate with God
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 1:6.
“Being confident of this very thing that He which has begun a good work in you shall perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
PRAYER:
Help me to learn to confess my sins and shortcomings daily to You, asking forgiveness so that I can become a person of true integrity. Help me to love God as Job did and to do what is right and shun evil.
INTEGRITY
DEFINITION:
Fidelity to moral principles, honesty, soundness and completeness.
SCRIPTURE:
“But as for me, I will walk in my integrity.” Psalm 26:11.
“As for me, You uphold me in my integrity.” Psalm 41: 12.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
It has been said that the word “integrity” is best described by what we do when no one is watching. Integrity is being who we say we are. When a person is described by being called a person of integrity, this is probably the highest praise one can be given. The verse in Proverbs 11:3 says that “The integrity of the upright will guide them.” Great and true leaders must have personal integrity to be successful leaders. Take a moment to think how many people you can name that you would call a person of integrity and would be comfortable calling a friend?
When Satan attacked Job, the Lord referred to the integrity of Job in words that we need to use as standards in developing integrity in our lives. The Lord said to Satan: “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on this earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you excited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.”Job 2:3. Later Job 31:6. Job defends his integrity to his friends, saying “Let me be weighed on honest scales, that God may know his integrity.”
Job was a man of true integrity. He was severely tested and tormented by Satan but never turned away from God. Job did not allow painful circumstances to change who he was. He kept his integrity and remained upright and faithful to God.
Look at the standards outlined in these verses. We need to be blameless, upright, one who fears God, one who shuns evil and when Satan tempts you make sure you do not allow him to tempt you into disobedience. We build our integrity by setting standards like these in our lives.
President Lincoln, we are told when we read history, once was given a request for 5000 additional recruits to fight in the civil war. His political advisors strongly recommended that he turn down the request because it would affect his reelection. But Lincoln’s decision was firm and he stated, “ It is not necessary for me to be reelected but it is necessary for our soldiers on the front line to be reinforced.” He went on to say, “If I go down under this act, I will go down with my colors flying high and with integrity.”
In later years Henry Cabot Lodge said on February 12, 1909 “That nation has not lived in vain which has given the world Washington and Lincoln, the best great men and the greatest good men with integrity whom history can show.”
Unfortunately, we do not see integrity in our leaders any more. In reality Jesus was the only one to live on this earth with complete integrity and uprighteousness.
We have constantly told our children by our words and by our actions that integrity is a must in our lives. Our trustworthiness is built on our honesty and integrity. Think how difficult it is to rebuild one’s integrity. Once it is lost it is almost impossible to regain. It just takes one “goof” and one’s integrity is shot. Everyone will face times when they will be tempted to compromise their values and if they do they will lose their integrity. That is why it is so important to read the Bible every day and let God communicate with you and pray so you can communicate with God
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 1:6.
“Being confident of this very thing that He which has begun a good work in you shall perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
PRAYER:
Help me to learn to confess my sins and shortcomings daily to You, asking forgiveness so that I can become a person of true integrity. Help me to love God as Job did and to do what is right and shun evil.
Friendship: February 1, 2010
February 1. TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY FEBRUARY 1, 2010
FRIENDSHIP
DEFINITION:
A state of attachment to someone by affection or esteem; close association; supportive or well wishing.
SCRIPTURE:
“A friend loves at all times.” Proverbs 17:17.
“A man that has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
The above verses from Proverbs define a friend as one who loves at all times and sticks closer than a brother. The key ingredient in a true friendship is loyalty. A friend that loves at all times will be there for you in good times and in bad times and will stick with you through thick and thin.
People who base their friendship on what they can get out of it are not being real friends. They will leave you as soon as there is nothing to benefit them in the relationship. They are what we call “fair weather friends.” Genuine friendship means being available to help in times of trouble and distress. We can know a lot of people, perhaps some very well, but often it is only in a time of trouble that we will know if they are really a friend.
We must consider what kind of a friend we are. Are we “fair weather friends” or a friend that is loyal and loves at all times?
The story is told by Edgar A. Guest of a rich man who was almost friendless. His life had been one long series of bickering and lawsuits. Friendships evidently meant nothing to this man as he was busy making his fortune. Late in his life he met a man with whom he had a bitter quarrel many years prior. The wealthy man said to the other man, “I do not understand it. Why do you have hundreds of friends and I have really none to whom I can turn?” The old acquaintance replied, “Sir, I was busy making friends years ago, while you were busy making money.”
In this age of “every man for himself,” Christians need to learn to go the extra mile to develop friendships by offering encouragement and a helping hand to those who need it.
Jesus commandment to us as Christians is that we love one another. Friendship is based on love. What we see in the world today is so called friends turning on their friends by criticizing and tearing them down verbally behind their back. This is often the case with those who do not know the Lord and do not understand that true friendship is based on love.
Paul advises us in Ephesians 4:29, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only that which is helpful in building others up.” How important it is that as Christians we will be the kind of friend that is helpful and builds others up.
Abraham Lincoln said that the better part of one’s life consists of building and keeping friendships.
In Isaiah 41:6-7, Isaiah is encouraging and comforting God’s people when he said, “Everyone helped his neighbor, and said to his brother, be of good courage! So the craftsman encouraged the Goldsmith; he who smoothes with the hammer inspired him who strikes the anvil. ”
A former Vice President of the United States once said that “the impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor.” That is being a friend and experiencing real friendship.
Mark Twain said that friendship is only purchased with friendship.
We have referred to Abraham quite a bit these last days but in James 2:23, James, the half brother of Jesus is discussing faith without works being dead. He refers to Abraham saying that Abraham believed in God and he was called the friend of God. This is probably the highest calling that one can have being called the friend of God.
Take a few minutes now and evaluate first your relationship with God. Are you a friend of God that communicates with Him daily? True friends are known to communicate daily and this communication daily will strengthen your friendship with your Lord. It is the Lord that works in us through His Holy Spirit to give us a tender heart for others. He alone can help us to be a friend that loves at all times.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 1:6
“Being confident of this very thing that He which has begun a good work in you shall perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
PRAYER:
I ask You to give me a spirit of love and concern for all those around me today. Help me then to be observant to the needs of my neighbors so I can show friendship.
FRIENDSHIP
DEFINITION:
A state of attachment to someone by affection or esteem; close association; supportive or well wishing.
SCRIPTURE:
“A friend loves at all times.” Proverbs 17:17.
“A man that has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
The above verses from Proverbs define a friend as one who loves at all times and sticks closer than a brother. The key ingredient in a true friendship is loyalty. A friend that loves at all times will be there for you in good times and in bad times and will stick with you through thick and thin.
People who base their friendship on what they can get out of it are not being real friends. They will leave you as soon as there is nothing to benefit them in the relationship. They are what we call “fair weather friends.” Genuine friendship means being available to help in times of trouble and distress. We can know a lot of people, perhaps some very well, but often it is only in a time of trouble that we will know if they are really a friend.
We must consider what kind of a friend we are. Are we “fair weather friends” or a friend that is loyal and loves at all times?
The story is told by Edgar A. Guest of a rich man who was almost friendless. His life had been one long series of bickering and lawsuits. Friendships evidently meant nothing to this man as he was busy making his fortune. Late in his life he met a man with whom he had a bitter quarrel many years prior. The wealthy man said to the other man, “I do not understand it. Why do you have hundreds of friends and I have really none to whom I can turn?” The old acquaintance replied, “Sir, I was busy making friends years ago, while you were busy making money.”
In this age of “every man for himself,” Christians need to learn to go the extra mile to develop friendships by offering encouragement and a helping hand to those who need it.
Jesus commandment to us as Christians is that we love one another. Friendship is based on love. What we see in the world today is so called friends turning on their friends by criticizing and tearing them down verbally behind their back. This is often the case with those who do not know the Lord and do not understand that true friendship is based on love.
Paul advises us in Ephesians 4:29, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only that which is helpful in building others up.” How important it is that as Christians we will be the kind of friend that is helpful and builds others up.
Abraham Lincoln said that the better part of one’s life consists of building and keeping friendships.
In Isaiah 41:6-7, Isaiah is encouraging and comforting God’s people when he said, “Everyone helped his neighbor, and said to his brother, be of good courage! So the craftsman encouraged the Goldsmith; he who smoothes with the hammer inspired him who strikes the anvil. ”
A former Vice President of the United States once said that “the impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor.” That is being a friend and experiencing real friendship.
Mark Twain said that friendship is only purchased with friendship.
We have referred to Abraham quite a bit these last days but in James 2:23, James, the half brother of Jesus is discussing faith without works being dead. He refers to Abraham saying that Abraham believed in God and he was called the friend of God. This is probably the highest calling that one can have being called the friend of God.
Take a few minutes now and evaluate first your relationship with God. Are you a friend of God that communicates with Him daily? True friends are known to communicate daily and this communication daily will strengthen your friendship with your Lord. It is the Lord that works in us through His Holy Spirit to give us a tender heart for others. He alone can help us to be a friend that loves at all times.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Philippians 1:6
“Being confident of this very thing that He which has begun a good work in you shall perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
PRAYER:
I ask You to give me a spirit of love and concern for all those around me today. Help me then to be observant to the needs of my neighbors so I can show friendship.
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