No man is an island. Life is lonely without a friend. We are social beings, and we need to be sociable. Communication is important. A child learns first to communicate with his parents. Social maturity is the ability to relate well with others. Sociability is part of maturity. When a person grows spiritually mature, he also grows in many aspects of his life. A Christian can grow to be spiritually and socially mature in the church.
A GOOD CHRISTIAN FRIEND IS A BLESSING FROM GOD.
A true friend loves at all times.
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17 KJV)
A true friend builds you up. Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. (Proverbs 27:5-6 KJV)
A true friend can give you comfort and godly counsel Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel. (Proverbs 27:9 KJV)
A true friend will sacrifice for you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13 KJV)
BENEFITS OF BEING FRIENDLY
It increases your friends.
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24 KJV)
It helps increase your influence.
And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested. (1 Chronicles 4:10 KJV)
It helps you find growth opportunities.
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. (Proverbs 11:25 KJV)
It provides an opportunity to share the gospel.
The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. (Matthew 11:19 KJV)
Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. (Mark 5:19 KJV)
FIND FRIENDS TO WIN AND ENCOURAGE
You will be blessed and also encouraged
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. (Proverbs 11:25 KJV)
You will be wise and productive
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. (Proverbs 11:30 KJV)
The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. (Proverbs 11:18 KJV)
BE FRIENDLY TO EVERYONE
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24 KJV)
Be cheerful
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. (Proverbs 15:13 KJV)
Be interested in people
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. (Luke 6:31 KJV)
Be hospitable
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:2 KJV)
Be prayerful
And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10 KJV)
Be patient and loving
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (1 Corinthians 13:4 KJV)
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (Proverbs 17:17 KJV)
Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:5-9 KJV)
CURSE BE THE MAN…
THAT TRUSTETH IN MAN
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (Psalms 118:8 KJV)
God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. (Romans 3:4 KJV)
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. (Proverbs 12:11 KJV)
MAKETH FLESH HIS ARM
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16 KJV)
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6 KJV)
Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. (2 Chronicles 32:7-8 KJV)
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23-24 KJV)
WHOSE HEART DEPARTETH FROM THE LORD.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV)
The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. (Proverbs 14:14 KJV)
Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties. (Psalms 141:4 KJV)
BLESSED IS THE MAN…
THAT TRUSTETH IN THE LORD
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: (Proverbs 3:5-9 KJV)
Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (Matthew 21:21-22 KJV)
WHOSE HOPE THE LORD IS.
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; (Hebrews 6:18-19 KJV)
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. (Psalms 42:11 KJV)
HE SHALL BE LIKE
For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jeremiah 17:8 KJV)
A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. (Proverbs 12:3 KJV)
The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. (Proverbs 12:12 KJV)
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. (John 15:7-8 KJV)
Is there a difference when you believe a lie or when you believe the truth? When you believe a lie, it affects your judgment, your decision, your attitude, and your future negatively. You will make wrong decisions due to a false balance and wrong judgment. You will lose God’s blessings when you disregard opportunities intended for you due to a negative attitude. But when you have right judgments based on truth, your decisions will lead you to the solution of every problem toward a blessed life.
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. (Proverbs 11:5)
Like in the parable of the talent, the person who received the one talent thought that his Lord was so strict and so, because of the fear of failure, did not use that one talent given him. He did not understand the favor and opportunities which were given him and thus, became so ungrateful.
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. (Matthew 25:24–29)
WHY WE SHOULD KNOW THE TRUTH
It is our responsibility to know the truth to be able to make wise judgments and decisions.
They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.
(Proverbs 28:4–5)
A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
(Proverbs 11:1)
Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
(Proverbs 30:8)
The truth liberates us from the bondage of sin and falsehood.
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31–32)
SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love. (Psalms 119:113)
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. (Psalms 119:133)
Knowing, applying, and sharing the principles of truth, will help us grow firm and strong.
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
(Ephesians 4:14–15)
The Bible, God’s word is truth.
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
(John 17:17)
HOW WE CAN KNOW THE TRUTH
Meditate daily on God’s word.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
(Joshua 1:8)
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
(Jeremiah 17:7–8)
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
(John 15:7–8)
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.
(John 15:16)
Study God’s word regularly.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
(2 Timothy 2:15)
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
(Proverbs 15:28)
Seek Counsel from Godly men.
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
(Psalms 1:1–2)
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
(Proverbs 11:14)
Listen carefully to instructions and preachings.
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
(Proverbs 12:1)
A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
(Proverbs 13:1–2)
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(Romans 10:17)
Don’t rely on feelings.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. (Proverbs 28:26)
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. (1 John 3:20)
HOW WE CAN APPLY THE TRUTH
Repent of every sin.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:9)
Be careful of your talk.
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
(Ephesians 4:29)
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
(Proverbs 11:13)
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
(Proverbs 26:20)
Be patient, loving, and forgiving.
He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
(1 John 2:9–10)
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
(Colossians 3:12–13)
Obey God’s word by faith.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
(James 1:22-24)
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
(Galatians 3:11)
Overcome your weaknesses and fears by dependence on God.
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
(Acts 4:29)
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
(Acts 4:31)
Examine yourselves.
We are to examine ourselves whether we are doing things that please God or not. We should not allow falsehood and lies to dominate our lives and thoughts for such will affect our decisions and judgments. Instead, we should seek the truth, follow, and obey the truth. Following the truth diligently will result to greater blessings and favors from God.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (2 Corinthians 13:5)
He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. (Proverbs 11:27)
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. (Proverbs 12:11)
A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. (Proverbs 12:2)
Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. (Proverbs 13:15)
Consider how great things the Lord has done for us. God has blessed us in many ways. Despite our many shortcomings, yet He has shown His goodness and kindness.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. (2 Timothy 2:13)
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (Romans 2:4)
God has provided us a Savior, Jesus. That very moment we received Him by faith, we have become God’s children (John 1: 12). He has guided us as we travel in this life by His word and Spirit and helped us go through a long the storms of life. God has been so good in the past and He will always be good in the future.
Only fear the Lord
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)
When a man has the fear of the Lord, he will avoid sinning.
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. (Proverbs 16:6)
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. (Proverbs 16:17)
When a man has the fear of the Lord, he will obey God than man.
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (Psalms 118:8)
When a man has the fear of the Lord, he will follow God than his feelings.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. (1 John 3:20)
Serve Him
We are saved to serve.
That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. (Luke 1:74-75)
We are to serve in newness of spirit.
But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. (Romans 7:6)
We are to serve with gladness of heart.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. (Psalms 100:2)
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. (Psalms 2:11)
We are to serve God faithfully.
Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. (Psalms 101:6)
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24)
In Truth
Jesus commanded to search the Scriptures.
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:39)
Paul appreciated the Bereans for Searching the Scriptures.
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11)
The Scriptures, God’s word is truth.
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17)
The Scriptures will make us wise to know the true way of salvation.
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:15)
We are to worship God in spirit and truth.
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24)
We are to choose today whom we will serve.
Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:14-15)
With all your heart
Our responsibility to God is to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. (Mark 12:30)
We are to know God sincerely with all our hearts through His words.
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)
We are to consider God’s great goodness in our lives to serve Him with all our hearts.
Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. (1 Samuel 12:24)
When we sin, we must repent and confess our sins to the Lord.
Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: (Joel 2:12)
And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; (1 Samuel 12:20)
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9)
Whatever we do, we must do our work heartily as to the Lord and be grateful always.
And whatsoever ye do in wo d or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:17)
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24)
Hello! How’s your life? I hope that you are striving hard for success and great accomplishments. You know that life is very short and soon it will end. I believe that regardless of your condition and success in life, there is a constant battle going on within you. There are unsettled problems and unanswered questions in your heart and mind. Let me ask you some questions: Do you know the very purpose of you existence? Where will be you be after this life?
I would like to let you know that you are very precious in Gods sight. He loves you so much and He wants you to experience an abundant and eternal life (John 10:10). However, there is a big hindrance to the experiencing of such a wonderful plan God has for you. The Bible calls this SIN (Rom. 3:23). Sin has separated you from God (Isa. 59:1-2). No one can say he is without sin. All men are found guilty of sin before the eyes of God; this, all deserve death and punishment in “the lake, which burns with fire and brimstone”. ( Rev. 21:8). What a horrible torment awaits the sinner…suffering in hell for eternity.
My dear friend, it is not God’s plan to place you in hell. You must realize that because of His great love for you, He sent His only begotten Son to die on Calvary in order to save you from condemnation. Right now, He is offering salvation freely on the basis of His death on the cross (Rom. 3:24,24). You cannot save yourself by your own effort and good works (Eph. 2:8-9). The only way to be saved is by completely trusting Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord.
My friend, if you have been ignoring His love and salvation by living your life according to your own way, your are making a grave mistake. Although God is a God of love, remember that He is also a God of justice. He will surely execute judgement upon those who reject the pardon that He offered through Christ. If you die right now without Christ, the Bible teaches that you will certainly go to hell (Luke 13:3, II Peter 3:9). Life without Christ is indeed miserable. God loves you, but, if you reject Him, you will miss the joy of living with Him. Will you now let Christ reign in your life?
STEP BY STEP 