***Bible Verses of the Day****

[chris-lei 1]

…As the sparkling dew refreshes the earth, so the Lord will revive those who have long been dead.

– Isaiah 26:19

Are you going through some spiritual drought? Let God refresh you.

Father, renew my spirit and teach me to trust in Your ways.

[jego ryu 0]

THE IMPORTANCE OF FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE

A. THE BLESSINGS OF FRIENDSHIP...

1. Some of the most beautiful passages in the Bible were

expressions between friends

a. Ruth's love for her mother-in-law, Naomi - Ru 1:16-17

b. Jonathan's devotion to his friend, David - 1 Sam 18:1

c. Jesus' love for His disciple, John - Jn 19:25-27

d. Paul's love for his coworker, Timothy - 2 Ti 1:1-4

2. Good friends provide wonderful benefits

a. A true friend is "a man for all seasons" - Pro 17:17

b. A true friend can be closer than blood relatives - Pro 18:24

c. The rebuke of a true friend is of more value than the praise

of an enemy - Pro 27:6

d. The advice of a true friend can be precious - Pro 27:9

e. Seek to hang on to good friends - Pro 27:10a

-- "Love is much too pure and holy, friendship is too sacred far,

for a moment's reckless folly thus to desolate and mar."

B. THE NEED TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER...

1. Our Savior teaches us to do so

a. A new commandment, to love as He loved us - Jn 13:34-35

b. Stressed again and again - Jn 15:12,17

2. It is a "blest" command

a. Love will avoid offending another with loose words - 1 Co

13:4-5a

1) Love suffers long (patient)

2) Love is kind

3) Love does not envy (not jealous of others' good fortune)

4) Love does not parade itself (does not brag about itself)

5) Love is not puffed up (not arrogant)

6) Love does not behave rudely (not inconsiderate of others'

feelings)

b. Love will not allow loose words offend it - 1 Co 13:5b-8a

1) Love does not seek its own (not defensive)

2) Love is not provoked (not sensitive)

3) Love thinks no evil (assumes the best intention)

4) Love does not rejoice in iniquity, but in truth

(concerned more about truth than winning)

5) Love bears all things (puts up with snide remarks,

slights)

6) Love believes all things (gives others the benefit of the

doubt)

7) Love hopes all things (looks for the best in others)

8) Love endures all things (including hurt feelings by

unkind or unthoughtful words)

9) Love never fails (to show patience, compassion,

forgiveness)

-- "'Love one another', thus says the Savior; Children, obey His

blest command."

[chris-lei 1]

“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.”

– Matthew 11:25

Do you defer to God as our Father? He is Abba, a Father like no other.

Father in heaven, I am Your child. Come to my aid, I pray.

[jego ryu 0]

[jego ryu 0]

[chris-lei 1]

Unless your faith is firm; you shall not be firm.

– Isaiah 7:9c

When Jesus said, “O you men of little faith,” was He referring to you?

Strengthen my faith, O Lord, that I may overcome all my difficulties in life.

[jego ryu 0]

HAPPY SUNDAY...EVERYONE

[chris-lei 1]

“A worker should be given what he needs.”

– Matthew 10:10

Put God first in your life — because you are also always first in His heart!

Lord, may I never grow weary of serving You!

[jego ryu 0]

[chris-lei 1]

“… behold something greater than Solomon is here.”

– Matthew 12:42c

Look back at events in your life. Where does God stand in your list of priorities?

Jesus, be my Lord always. Please stay in the center stage of my life, even during times when I set You aside. Do not allow me to usurp Your place. Amen.

[sj_soulm8ts 0]

I HAVE TOLD YOU THESE THINGS, SO THAT IN ME YOU MAY HAVE PEACE.

IN THIS WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE. BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER! FOR I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD!- JN 16:33

Edited July 21, 2008 by sj_soulm8ts

[Sassy1natl 0]

Reading through these posts this morning have been a great help.

Thanks,

Courtney

[jego ryu 0]

[chris-lei 1]

If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move.

- Matthew 17:20

For God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26).

Is something possible for us only if we think it can be done?

Dear Lord, strengthen my faith.

Edited July 22, 2008 by chris-lei

[jego ryu 0]