Today’s post entitled,”True Friends” was inspired by the Sermon Notes on “Thinking Through Your Friendships” by Dr. Charles Stanley, Pastor First Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA., along with my own scripture reading from the Book of John, Chapters 14 through 16 (NIV).
Sharing trials
Bearing each other’s burden’s
True friends stay close
In times of trouble
Sharing their heart in both
Joy and Sorrow
True friends are always
There on the double
We need true friends we can trust
NOT to share a confidence
Don’t associate with those
Given to change
The counsel of a true friend
Is one you can trust
Because they are
NOT unsettled in their ways
But don’t be a companion
Of the “self-indulgent”
They are only interested in
Satisfying themselves
And don’t keep company
With immoral people
Who might lure you
Into sin yourself
True friendships require transparency
Letting the other person know
Just exactly
“who you really are”
If we try to cover up
And always appear perfect
We limit the relationship
…By Far
Friends admit when they’re wrong
They carry out their commitments
Seeking forgiveness, not excuses
For their behavior
Be thankful, be thoughtful
Be tolerant of flaws
Freely grant forgiveness
As did your Savior
God designed us to live in relationships
And…true friends
Are a very important part
Of His plan
But don’t associate with anyone
Who says “there is no God”
For that is the ultimate
Fall of any man
Spend time together
Talk to each other
Laugh and cry together
If you must
But selfishness, manipulation
Jealousy and covetousness
Will destroy any true friendship
Of trust
And remember, our God
Has given His chosen… good counsel
From The Holy Spirit
That lives within (John 14:15 NIV)
The Counselor, The Spirit of Truth (John 14:17 NIV)
Whom The Father sent in His name
Will teach us all things (John 14:26 NIV)
And be “Our True Friend”
But the world cannot accept Him
Because it does NOT know Him (John 14:17 NIV)
But He lives with YOU and ME
Inside our hearts
Yes, Jesus is IN the Father (John 14:20 NIV)
And “We” are IN Jesus
He loves us and we will
NEVER BE APART…
“As The Father has loved me
So have I loved You
Remain in my love”
Jesus said… (John 15:9 NIV)
“And love each other
As I have loved you”… (John 15:12 NIV)
With the love that
Laid down His life for His friends (John 15:13 NIV)