Tag Archives: Proverbs 18:24

Bless A Friend Today??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #226

31 Friday May 2024

Posted by in A Witness--Good or Bad???, Friends, Friendship, Fruit of the Spirit, Giving and Sharing, Giving or Getting, Giving Or Taking?, Kindness, Kindness has no expiration date., Love, Love Is Action, Lovest Thou ME?

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Bless A Friend Today??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #226

“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly:

and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

Following up on our post about friendship last time, I want to just take a few minutes to issue a challenge to each of us.  I’ll share some scripture and ask each of you to do some kindness for a friend today.  It doesn’t have to cost money, it could be a phone call, a card, visit next door, go see a friend in confined circumstances (be that an assisted living facility, a nursing home, a jail, or any other facility that allows visitors), or cut a flower from your garden (or even veggies will do, who doesn’t like fresh veggies from the garden).

I’ll share a story, not bragging, I just want you to know that we often don’t know the effects of our kindnesses.  We had a neighbor who had a gentleman in a wheel chair living with them. I’d always wave and speak when he was outside on the porch, and one day he was outside, and I was working on my prized roses, and I felt the Spirit prompting me to take him a rose, so I clipped a pretty one, wrapped it in moist towel and went next door.  I have to tell you that man almost cried as he told me, “That’s the first flower I’ve received since my wife died!”   Well, friends I have to tell you that impacted me as much or more than it did him.  Oh, may we listen and heed the promptings of The Spirit no matter how seemingly insignificant to us.   So, make that call, send that card, take that flower—God can bless someone through you in ways that we can’t comprehend.

“And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul,

that the soul of Jonathan

was knit with the soul of David,

and Jonathan loved him as his own soul…

… 3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant,

because he loved him as his own soul.”  1 Sam. 18:1&3

Amen and Amen!!!

The Blessing Of Friendship??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #225

29 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Building up or Tearing down?, Friends, Friendship, Fruit of the Spirit, Full Of what?, Inspiring Others, Intercessors, Iron Sharpening Iron, Iron Sharpens Iron, Is Small Insignificant?, It's Your Choice, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus Is Coming Again., Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Joy Is Contagious!, Joy of The Lord!, Joy To The World?, The Word

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The Blessing Of Friendship??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #225

 

I had a lovely day out with a friend yesterday, and as I sat down this morning to write, I couldn’t help but feel led to share just a few thoughts on friendship.  As my friend and I were talking over our lunch, I shared some things about my past, before I was saved and how unkind I could be—a smart alec by nature and environment–but God brought conviction to my heart many years ago, that my heart needed to be controlled more by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit than the smart alec that my fleshly habit inclines to.  Not to say that I don’t try to make a comical or timely remark when given the chance, but I try to keep it kind and friendly not snarky (as they say now—who knew that was a word?).  We talked about things that I used to do and be before I was saved and she couldn’t believe that was me, and I had to reassure her that Jesus had made the difference, and what grieves me the most was the influence that I was in the negative rather than the positive.  Oh, what a difference Jesus makes in my life!  How about you?  Has Jesus made a difference in you?  Do others see Jesus or your flesh most often?

“He that handleth a matter wisely

shall find good:

and whoso trusteth in the LORD,

happy is he.

21 The wise in heart

shall be called prudent:

and the sweetness of the lips

increaseth learning.

22 Understanding is a wellspring of life

unto him that hath it:

but the instruction of fools

is folly.

23 The heart of the wise

 teacheth his mouth,

and addeth learning

to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb,

sweet to the soul,

and health to the bones.

25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 16:20-25

As I was looking up verse 25 above, I was reading and this is one of those places in the Proverbs what has a lengthy flow of thought, and I just had to share this passage instead of just verse 25; for wisdom and kindness are linked hand in hand, and friendship can come out of kindness and compassion.  I have found new friends through the years, just by sharing Jesus, or wisdom from God’s Word, or just a smile and a word of positive encouragement.  Don’t miss acquiring a new friend by being more concerned about winning, rushing or ignoring others than by taking time to share a smile, or a wave, or a word of positive encouragement to a stranger!  It’s much better to share a positive word than always to be thinking of yourself and hurting an innocent recipient out of our unconcern.  How hard is to say kind things to a clerk, a cashier, an attendant, a co-worker whom you may not know well, a new neighbor, a child playing outside as you walk?

“A froward man

soweth strife:

and a whisperer

separateth chief friends.”  Proverbs 16:28

“He that covereth a transgression

seeketh love;

but he that repeateth a matter

separateth very friends.”  Proverbs 17:9

“A friend loveth

at all times,

and a brother

is born for adversity.”  Proverbs 17:17

A friend is a treasure rare; and I have been abundantly blessed with dear friends through the years, and while many have gone before me into Jesus’ presence, I am still encouraged by the things God blessed us to share—mostly time, and Jesus, and being family!

“A man that hath friends

must shew himself friendly:

and there is a friend that sticketh

closer than a brother.”  Proverbs 18:24

“Open rebuke

is better than secret love.

6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend;

but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”  Proverbs 27:5-6

“Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart:

so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend

by hearty counsel.” Proverbs 27:9

Friends are not only an opportunity to bless others, but to receive blessing, grace, wisdom and a point of view outside of our own; and that is so often of immeasurable importance.  It’s one of the things that we can share as friends, helping each other see another side of what God wants us to know.  Even teachers learn from their students—I surely have; and I thank God for that!  The Proverb says it better than I can!

“Iron sharpeneth iron;

so a man sharpeneth

the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17

Yet, while all of these things are of great import, there is one thing better, and to me, that is to be called the “Friend of God”!  May it ever be so—thank YOU JESUS!

“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.”  James 2:23

Yet there is a danger in friendship—choosing to be the wrong friend to the wrong people, which James also warns us about.

“Ye adulterers and adulteresses,

know ye not that the friendship of the world

is enmity with God?

whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world

is the enemy of God.”  James 4:4

So, my friends choose wisely, while the choice is yours to make, remember there is a consequence.  And it may be coming very soon.  Will you choose to be a “Friend of God” in Jesus, or will you be found to be “the enemy of God”?  As I said, the choice is yours but choose wisely for there is a test!  Have you heard the voice of Jesus?  He’s calling to you!  Is He knocking at your door?  It’s your call!

“Behold,

I stand at the door, and knock:

 if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

Amen and Amen!!!

Are You Pumping Your Iron??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #122

16 Wednesday Aug 2023

Posted by in Cups of cold water!, Drinking at Jesus' fountain, Encouragement, Intercessors, Iron Sharpening Iron, Iron Sharpens Iron, Service, Sharing Our Faith!, Sharing the blessings, Sharing What God Has Given, Sweet Words or Bitter Words?, Teach The Children, The Call of God!

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Are You Pumping Your Iron??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #122

“Iron sharpeneth iron;

so a man sharpeneth

the countenance of his friend.”  Proverbs 27:17

This is one of my favorite verses of encouragement and I am so grateful for the privilege of receiving the “sharpening” from those around me, as well as being a tool in The Master’s hand to sharpen others.  Oh, I can’t take time to share with you all of the times that I have been down and received a call, a note, or a text from some friend that just lifted my heart–sometimes it just the sure and certain knowledge that there are those who pray for me continually–what a blessing.

How’s your sharpening going.  Are you yielding to God’s voice and sharing The Word, The Savior, and The love of God to those around you?  I’ve had a couple of really difficult weeks, and I sent out some ‘prayer texts’ to some as I felt led the other day (Always listen to The Master’s voice! You don’t know who is in need outside of your knowledge.) and yesterday, I received the most uplifting reply (and I don’t send them out looking for replies, for many don’t reply and they know that’s ok–it’s sent to help them not stir up activity for me!) and it more than “made my day”!  It was the right word at the right time and met my need!  And this precious friend is one who tries to stand in the background, but her heart for Jesus and others shines so brightly to those who take the time to see!  We need to be light to others!

So, just a few of my favorite scriptures to encourage your heart today.  May you be encouraged and spread the joy!

“A friend loveth at all times,

and a brother is born for adversity…

….22 A merry heart doeth good

like a medicine:

but a broken spirit

drieth the bones.”  Proverbs 17:17 & 22

Share your “iron” today!

“A man that hath friends

must shew himself friendly:

and there is a friend

that sticketh closer than a brother.”  Proverbs 18:24

And in closing, the words of our Lord which resonate with joy in my heart–HE calls me friend.  Oh, how I want to honor my friend and bring help, joy, and encouragement to those HE has placed in my circle of care!  How about you?  Will YOU sharpen some iron today?

“Henceforth I call you not servants;

for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth:

but I have called you friends;

for all things that I have heard of my Father

I have made known unto you.”  John 15:15

Have a great day sharpening–not crushing!

Amen and Amen!!!

Thankful For Friendship??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 12

22 Monday Aug 2022

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Friends, Friendship, Jonathan and David, True Friendship

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 12   Thankful For Friendship???

I sit here this morning praying for a dear friend who may be near her time to leave this world, and as I think of the years that we have shared, I sit here with tears in my eyes, as I rehearse the precious value of a real, true, and loyal friend.  Do you have one?  If you have one, you are blessed greatly; if you have more than one you are abundantly blessed, for they are a treasure rare.

With that in mind, I’d like to spend our time today seeing what God has to say about friendship/friends and perhaps calling you and me to reach out to those we love while they are with us.  I certainly know the import of valuing each day with those we love, and I hope God can speak to each of us today to be more aware of our choices in how we spend our time, especially when we value things more than people, or even God Himself and our Lord Jesus Christ.

“This is my commandment,

That ye love one another,

as I have loved you.

13 Greater love hath no man than this,

that a man lay down his life

for his friends.

14 Ye are my friends,

if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants;

for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth:

but I have called you friends;

for all things that I have heard of my Father

I have made known unto you.”  John 15:12-15

Jesus is the greatest friend that we will ever have, and if you don’t know HIM, I invite you to call upon HIM today, for HE is ever waiting for you to open your heart and life to HIM in repentance and faith in Jesus’ substitutionary (in our place), atoning (making my amends), sacrifice (paying our sin debt on Calvary).

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

Oh, dear friend, it is a decision that you will never regret, for I have walked with Jesus for over forty-five years—through thick and thin—through laughter and tears—through failure and success—through every trial that you can think of, and HE has never left my side.  And besides all that, HE has sent me friends to share my walk, help me along my way, encourage me in the hard times, rejoice with me in the better times, and bless my soul beyond measure, and allowed me to share the same with them!!!  The scriptures are replete with examples and words of wisdom in regard to friendship; and I’m so glad that God never called us to walk alone—but with Him, and praise God, more often than not, to have a friend or two along the way!

“Two are better than one;

because they have a good reward for their labour.

10 For if they fall,

the one will lift up his fellow:

but woe to him that is alone when he falleth;

for he hath not another to help him up.

11 Again, if two lie together,

then they have heat:

but how can one

be warm alone?

12 And if one prevail against him,

two shall withstand him;

and a threefold cord

is not quickly broken.”  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

 As the old adage says, “Many hands make light work.”  May we appreciate the blessing of friends, and remember it takes “being” a friend, to “have” a friend to make things lighter—easier to bear!

“A man that hath friends

must shew himself friendly:

and there is a friend

that sticketh closer

than a brother.”  Proverbs 18:24

Oh, how I praise God for those friends; the ones you can call at midnight, and they are there for you.  May we ever be that friend who is there/here for our friends who have a need—whatever that need may be.  But we must also ask God for discernment to know when we need to refer our friend/loved one to other sources of help.  Oh, how I regret not recognizing the need of one that I love who needed counselling that I wasn’t able to provide and I purely ‘missed the call’, so to speak…. We must always pray, and ask for God’s wisdom, direction, and insight to see beyond the exterior, and be ever remembering and relying on “Thy Kingdom come…Thy will be done…”!

“If any of you lack wisdom,

let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally,

and upbraideth not;

and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith,

nothing wavering.

For he that wavereth

 is like a wave of the sea

driven with the wind

and tossed.”  James 1:5-6

May we be faithful and stand fast in Jesus, for our own sake as well as to “BE” a good and wise friend!  One of my favorite examples of a true friend is the story of Jonathan and David, and while we won’t take time or space for the whole account, we’ll simply look at what scripture records of true love among friends.

“And it came to pass,

when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul,

that the soul of Jonathan

was knit with the soul of David,

and Jonathan loved him

as his own soul.

2 And Saul took him that day,

and would let him go no more home

to his father’s house.

3 Then Jonathan and David

made a covenant,

because he loved him

as his own soul.”  1 Samuel 18:1-3

And as the Proverbs say:

“A friend loveth at all times,

and a brother is born for adversity.”   Proverbs 17:17

I thank God for the dear ones HE has given me to love and to be loved by and have them to stand with me through the good and the bad—to love me “at all times”!  Treasure the gifts that God has given you in friends!  They are a priceless treasure, and worth our time and effort; and those who are brave enough to speak the “truth in love” at those times when we need a wise reprover, we ought to be doubly grateful for, for not everyone will be brave enough to speak!  May we be the “iron sharpening iron”, as well as the gracious recipient of it!

“A word fitly spoken

is like apples of gold

in pictures of silver.

12 As an earring of gold,

and an ornament of fine gold,

so is a wise reprover

upon an obedient ear.”  Proverbs 25:11-12

“Iron sharpeneth iron;

so a man sharpeneth

the countenance of his friend.

18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree

shall eat the fruit thereof:

so he that waiteth on his master

shall be honoured.

19 As in water

face answereth to face,

so the heart of man

to man.”  Proverbs 27:17-19

May God bless you in your walk as a friend, and may HE abundantly bless you with those in your life who will help you be a better person and friend.  May we each be a faithful ‘truth speaker’, and that “face answering face” to bring joy, ease sorrow, share the wisdom of God’s Word, as we lift the hearts of those who are down!

Thank YOU, Jesus, for the blessings of friends, both those I know personally, and those who are faithful followers and pray-ers for this ministry!  Will you join me in the pursuit of excellence in our reflection of The Savior to a lost and dying world—a world in need of a friend?  May we be that friend as God gives us opportunity.  To God be the glory!

Amen and Amen!!!

A Month Of Gratitude??? #7. Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 14

17 Sunday Nov 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Attitude of Gratitude, Blessed by God, Follow Jesus, Friends, Friendship, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Thankful, Thanksgiving, That They May Know, The Crucified Life

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 14   A Month Of Gratitude??? #7

 

Friendship: I thank God for friendship!  First of all, I thank Jesus for taking me not only as His child but also to be my best friend!

“Henceforth I call you not servants;

for the servant knoweth not

what his lord doeth:

but I have called you friends;

for all things that I have heard of my Father

I have made known unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen me,

but I have chosen you,

and ordained you,

that ye should go

and bring forth fruit,

and that your fruit should remain:

that whatsoever ye shall ask

of the Father in my name,

he may give it you.

17 These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me

before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you

out of the world,

therefore the world

hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do

unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him

that sent me.”  John 15:15-21

Having Jesus as my Lord and Savior isn’t about having a magic lamp, or a genie—it means being crucified with the One who loves me and gave Himself that I might have life!  He did it all for me and having Jesus as my friend means not only identifying with Him as my Lord and Savior, but also loving Him and yielding to His work in my life; that the world may see Jesus in me and be drawn to Him; and I can only do that as I die to self and live to HIM!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”   Galatians 2:20

Jesus has given all for me, what less could I give to and for Him?  And Jesus Himself told us that the cross is the issue—He died that I might live, and I live by the power of His cross!  My friend, Jesus, gave His life for me—how could I thank Him for His sacrifice with less than my all?

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”  Matthew 16:24-26

Because I am grateful for the ONE who gave His life for me, I desire to please Him, and to hear His “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” when He calls me to Himself, or when He returns for His own!  Do you have such a friend?

I am also thankful for the precious friends in this life whom God has blessed me with!  I truly believe if you/I have one “real” friend, then we are abundantly blessed.  If you have more than one, then you are greatly blessed; and I count myself as one of those abundantly showered with faithful friends!  I have been so greatly blessed by those whom God has sent into my life—some for most of my life—some for a season—some for a short time.  Some are still here, some have gone on before me; but regardless of when, or where, or how long we had in close proximity, I am blessed beyond measure to have shared my life, love and labors with these unique precious ones.

God’s Word says a lot about friends, and I’d like to share just a few of those principles and truths with you today.

“A man that hath friends

must shew himself friendly:

and there is a friend

that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

“A friend loveth

at all times,

and a brother

is born for adversity.”   Proverbs 17:17

“Open rebuke

is better than secret love.

6 Faithful are the wounds

of a friend;

but the kisses of an enemy

are deceitful.”   Proverbs 27:6-7

To have good friends, we must be willing to be a good friend; one who is there through thick and thin; one who stands fast in good times and adversity; one who is willing to hold you accountable to God’s Word; one whose advice is for your ultimate good rather than your momentary satisfaction!  How grateful I am that God has sent those kinds of people into my life—He has also allowed me to help those who stayed for a time; as well as those who stayed only as long as it was beneficial to them; and He has sent me those who have stayed the course despite my humanity!  God is so faithful and His love and care for me, as well as His faithfulness to grow me in His Word have helped me be a better friend, and I pray that I can always be that “friend that sticketh closer than a brother”! While I praise God for my siblings (whom I love and am thankful for also), we have often had great distances between us, and God has sent me friends who have stood by me in that “closer than a brother” kind of way!  My heart’s desire is that I will be that kind of friend to others.

Sometimes friendship has a cost, and just as Jesus paid the price for our salvation out of His great love for us; we ought to share with others that same kind of love in friendship!  True friends live and share the love of Jesus with one another, helping each other to become the best that we can be—to glorify our Lord!

“Iron sharpeneth iron;

so a man sharpeneth

the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17

Are we being that “iron” sharpening “iron” by our walk with Jesus, or are we leading our friends down a path of compromise, indulgence and selfish, fleshly lusts?  It’s a tough question because it makes me assess my own walk with Jesus; am I growing in the grace of Jesus and helping others to keep our “eyes on the prize”—Jesus Christ Himself!

“But grow in grace,

and in the knowledge

of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

To him be glory

both now

and for ever. Amen.”  2 Peter 3:18

Oh, to stand fast in “the evil day” and bring glory to The Lord Jesus, to encourage those He sends to us, being grateful for each one HE sends into our lives, imparting grace, courage and love!

“Not as though I had already attained,

either were already perfect:

but I follow after,

if that I may apprehend that

for which also I am apprehended

of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things

which are behind,

and reaching forth

unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore,

as many as be perfect,

be thus minded:

and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this unto you.

16 Nevertheless,

whereto we have already attained,

let us walk by the same rule,

let us mind the same thing.

17 Brethren, be followers

together of me,

and mark them

which walk so

as ye have us for an ensample.”  Philippians 3:12-17

May we ever pursue the example of our Lord—He loved us first!  Loving others as He loves us—may we be the friend to others that Jesus is to us!  Thank you to all my wonderful friends—and a special thank you to those of you who have stood with me through the years—you are a treasure rare—and I truly “thank my God upon every remembrance of you”!  Blessings on your week! (Thank God and be sure and thank a friend!)

“In this was manifested the love of God

toward us,

because that God sent his only begotten Son

into the world,

that we might live

through him.

10 Herein is love,

not that we loved God,

but that he loved us,

and sent his Son

to be the propitiation

for our sins.

11 Beloved,

if God so loved us,

we ought also

to love one another.”  1 John 4:9-11

Amen and Amen!!!