Friday January 17, 2020

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:2:

But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!”

Lesson Objective: To look at a friendship that could not be broken until death.

Often times people have several “best friends”. This friendship could be as a result of being school chums in elementary school or working together in the same office. Sometimes friendships develop between mentors and mentees. However, very often the friendships do not last. One moves away to a different city or moves to a different job and the friendship begins to suffer to the extent that it becomes one of a few telephone calls and a few cards. True friendship is based on love and as such the friendship will never cease. So is our Friendship with God. He will never leave us and it is not only to death, but beyond.

Thought for today: With whom do I have a true friendship that neither space nor time will come between? Am I true to my word when I said we would be friends forever?

Thursday January 16, 2020

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18: 1b

…the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

Lesson Objective: To look at an example of true love and friendship as recorded in the Bible

Perhaps the greatest story of friendship in the Bible is that of Jonathan and David. 1 Samuel 18: 1-4 describes the true love of Jonathan for David. Jonathan made a promise of friendship with David and demonstrated that by giving David his robe, his sword, his bow and his complete set of armor. When we call someone a true friend, we must be willing to give all to the relationship to not only include material things but also our time and energy when the friend is in need. In this case, Jonathan also gave up any thoughts of being King and even chose the love of David over his father when his father wanted to kill David.

Thought for today: Who is my closest friend and what have I given them that really demonstrates my unrelenting love for them?

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

 Scripture: Luke 1:30

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Lesson Objective:

To understand that we must prepare ourselves for the gift that God has in store for each of us.

 

Many times we miss out on blessings because we have not properly prepared ourselves to receive the blessings. Matthew 25:21 says ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Mary had made sure that she had properly cared for her body and spirit not knowing what the Lord had in store for her but she was prepared. God wants to find favor in all of us for we all have been given gifts to be used to bless others. God wants to expand on these gifts but only if we properly utilize what he has already given us.

 

Thought for today: It has been said that it is better to be prepared and not get the opportunity then to get the opportunity and not be prepared. With God however we know that there will be an opportunity.

Tuesday  January 14

What do people think of you?

Scripture 2 Timnothy 4:11

I read a book where the author said that if you knew how little people think of you, you would not worry about what they thought.  While that has a lot of truth we should be concerned what thoughts come to mind when they do think of us. I was pleasantly blessed this past week when I received a text from a young man who I had known in the past.  His words to me was that he had been thinking of me and decided to text me. These simple words made me fondly remember his presence in the Church and how  dutiful he was in his ministry. I also was reminded that we have an obligation to share the love of Christ to all those around us so that when they think of us they remember someone who serves Christ and and spreads his good will to all.

People who are no longer near us can do one of three things:

1. Think of us fondly and get in touch with us
2. Think of us with bad memories.
3. Not think of us at all

Which do you want?  I suggest that we should live our lives in such a way that when people do think of us  (no matter how seldom it may be), they will remember us as Christ like in our interactions with them. Put a smile on their face and just maybe they will reach out and say hello and put a smile on your face.  I know I needed that smile.

Blessings

Monday January 13

Scripture: Proverbs: 17:17

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Lesson Objective: To begin to understand the importance of friendship in the Christian walk.

Many in the world take friendship lightly. One can be friends today and enemies tomorrow. It is important for Christians to understand that friendship must be first defined by whether someone is a Christian and a part of God’s body. This may sound harsh but how can someone be your friend and not a friend of Christ. It is also imperative that one understands that the most important ingredient for friendship is love. A true friend is one that is honest and tells one what they need to know, not what they may want to hear. True friends make each other better. Proverbs 27:17 and Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 also discuss the need for a real friend.

Thought for today: Who are my closest friends and are they Christians?