BE FAITHFUL TO THE END - As the end of the age approaches, we will be tested as to where our love lies; with the Father, or with the world. The apostle John writes, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Will we be faithful to God, or will we allow the love of this world to quench our fire, and compromise our relationships? Be faithful until the end. Jesus gave a warning saying, "because iniquity abounds, the love of many shall grow cold." Do not allow love for the world to quench your love for God. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” A careful reading through the life of the Apostle Paul will yield insight concerning those who surrounded him. Luke was a true and faithful friend to Paul, staying with and supporting him to the very end of his life, even through the worst adversities. Then, there was another friend, whose name was Demas, about whom Paul wrote positively at first, but who did not remain faithful to the end. Paul records that Demas forsook him because he "loved this present world." As the end of the age approaches, we also will be tested as to where our love lies; with the Father, or with the world. John writes, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Demas damaged his testimony, his spiritual relationships, and undoubtedly cost him heavenly rewards.

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Be Faithful to the End!

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As the end of the age approaches, we will be tested as to where our love lies; with the Father, or with the world. The apostle John writes, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Will we be faithful to God, or will we allow the love of this world to quench our fire, and compromise our relationships? Be faithful until the end. Jesus gave a warning to end-time saints, saying, "because iniquity abounds, the love of many shall grow cold." Do not allow love for the world to quench your love for God. 

Worthy Ministries

 

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” - Proverbs 17:17 

 

A careful reading through the life of the Apostle Paul will yield insight concerning those who surrounded him.

In this brief devotion, I want to focus on two of Paul's friends -- Luke and Demas.

Luke was a true and faithful friend to Paul, staying with and supporting him to the very end of his life, even through the worst adversities (2 Timothy 4:11).

Then, there was another friend, whose name was Demas, about whom Paul wrote positively at first, (Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24) but who did not remain faithful to the end.

Paul records that Demas forsook him because he "loved this present world." (2 Timothy 4:10)

As the end of the age approaches, we also will be tested as to where our love lies; with the Father, or with the world.

The apostle John writes, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15) 

I do not believe that Demas lost his salvation, but he did lose his capacity to sense and express the love of the Father, which damaged his testimony, his spiritual relationships, and undoubtedly cost him heavenly rewards.

What kind of friend will we be to God?

Will we be faithful, or will we allow the love of this world to quench our fire, and compromise our relationships?

My encouragement to you is to be faithful until the end.

Don't forget that Yeshua gave a warning to end-time saints, saying, "because iniquity abounds, the love of many shall grow cold."

Become a friend like Luke, and learn from the life of Demas -- do not allow love for the world to quench your love for God. 

Don't forget, a true friend loves... at all times!

Worthy Ministries is a Christian organization based in Israel with a global outreach to more than 120 countries on a daily basis.

Though we are an internet ministry, we are also significantly involved in the land of Israel. Living in Southern part of Israel near the Dead Sea, we run Worthy News and minister full-time to the many spiritually hungry people in our region. Learn about our Project Hear O Israel.

https://www.worthydevotions.com/christian-devotional/be-faithful-to-the-end

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BEYOND THE FACEBOOK FRIEND - How to Build Great Relationships - Facebook perhaps trivialises friendship. The problem with Facebook is not so much that it enables people to network and connect, but that it calls these connections “friends”. We are never the perfect friend. We fail to care for our friends, we make mistakes, we don’t ‘love at all times’, we rail against the ‘iron sharpening’ that sometimes occurs. Yet, though we fail, the good news of the Christian message, is that Jesus offers to be our friend. Jesus is a friend who will never fail or let us down. Though we don’t see him face to face, through his Spirit we can become connected with Jesus as a friend - He always satisfies the core characteristics of true friendship - While through Facebook many modern Australians have many ‘friends’, it would appear that this is a veneer. Underneath, many lack true friendships and relationships, and the impact on society is tragic - “no man is an island.” We are wired for friendship and relationships – hence the dislocation we feel when we lack friends. Unreliable friends will lead to unwise decisions and ultimately to disaster. “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” The proverb also makes the radical claim that a friend can be closer than a brother. Proverbs says that friendship is even more important than family. We are never the perfect friend.

 

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Beyond the Facebook Friend

How to Build Great Relationships

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Facebook perhaps trivialises friendship. The problem with Facebook is not so much that it enables people to network and connect, but that it calls these connections “friends”. We are never the perfect friend. We fail to care for our friends, we make mistakes, we don’t ‘love at all times’, we rail against the ‘iron sharpening’ that sometimes occurs. Yet, though we fail, the good news of the Christian message, is that Jesus offers to be our friend. Jesus is a friend who will never fail or let us down. Though we don’t see him face to face, through his Spirit we can become connected with Jesus as a friend - He always satisfies the core characteristics of true friendship

City Bible Forum

By Hope 103.2 Network

 

Many Australians have lots of Facebook friends but few genuine relationships. Is it important to have good friends?

Research published by the Movember Foundation in late 2015 reveals that one quarter – or 1.1 million – of Australian men aged between 30 and 65 have few or no social connections.

Other research estimated that about 2.5 million British men “have no close friends”.

These statistics reflect skyrocketing suicide rates among men.

Friendship is important

So, while through Facebook many modern Australians have many ‘friends’, it would appear that this is a veneer.

Underneath, many lack true friendships and relationships, and the impact on society is tragic.

English poet John Donne was no doubt correct in observing that, “no man is an island”.

We are wired for friendship and relationships – hence the dislocation we feel when we lack friends.

What are the marks of a true friend?

So, what characterises a good friend?

Andrew (with the help of American theologian Tim Keller) shares four characteristics of a true friend:

o  Constancy,

o  Candour,

o  Counsel and

o  Vulnerability.

As Oscar Wilde says, a true friend is someone who “stabs you in the front”.

Given these characteristics of true friendship, we can see why Facebook perhaps trivialises friendship.

The problem with Facebook is not so much that it enables people to network and connect, but that it calls these connections “friends”.

How can someone truly be vulnerable and have constancy before 1000 Facebook friends?

Interestingly these concepts of true friendship are found in the book of Proverbs in the Bible.

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” - Proverbs 18:24

This passage gives the wise advice to choose your friends wisely.

Unreliable friends will lead to unwise decisions and ultimately to disaster.

The proverb also makes the radical claim that a friend can be closer than a brother.

This was radical in a culture where family was the closest and most important social relationships.

Here Proverbs says that friendship is even more important than family.

The wisdom of Proverbs speaks of the three C’s of good friendships. It offers practical and helpful advice to help us live today.

Constancy

‘A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity,’ - Proverbs 17:17

Candour

‘Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses,’ - Proverbs 27:5-6

Counsel

‘As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another,’ - Proverbs 27:17

How do I build great relationships?

While the Proverbs offers great advice on building good friendships, we ultimately fail. We are never the perfect friend.

We fail to care for our friends, we make mistakes, we don’t ‘love at all times’, we rail against the ‘iron sharpening’ that sometimes occurs.

Yet, though we fail, the good news of the Christian message, is that Jesus offers to be our friend.

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” - John 15:15

Jesus is a friend who will never fail or let us down.

Though we don’t see him face to face, through his Spirit we can become connected with Jesus as a friend.

He always satisfies the core characteristics of true friendship.

He is there all the time (he is constant); his words in the Bible if read with humility can pierce our hearts and wound us for our good (he brings candour); and, we can share our deepest needs with him (he offers counsel).

Friendship with Jesus connects us with the one who created friendship and this connection empowers us to be a better friend of others.

We can build great relationships by acknowledging our need for relationship, recognising that we fail to be the best friend, and then become friends with Jesus we can be empowered to be the friend we were made to be. 

Article and podcast supplied with thanks to City Bible Forum.

About the Author: City Bible Forum serves the business community, and are committed to making the discussion of life’s challenges and of the Bible as convenient and accessible as possible. 

In today's world real hope is hard to find. That's why Hope 103.2 exists: to bring the message of hope to our community through a family-friendly, safe listening environment.

We won't be quick to criticise or condemn. And we won't play on people's fears. Hope 103.2 will be ready to celebrate what's good in society and culture.

https://hope1032.com.au/stories/life/relationships/2020/beyond-the-facebook-friend-how-to-build-great-relationships/

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THE HOLY SPIRIT YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND - In your friendship with the Holy Spirit you never need to try to justify or defend yourself. You don't have to worry that He will think badly of you. He sees you as the apple of His eye. He looks at you in light of the blood of Jesus and smiles. He absolutely delights in your company. If you're struggling to hear God's voice, you can open up your Bible and just start reading until you get something. The Holy Spirit will speak to you there; just keep reading. As we read His Word, we grow accustomed to His voice. The Holy Spirit will speak to you in ways that are unique to you if you listen expectantly. He knows what is coming in your day, and He has encouragement for you if you take the time to time in.

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How to Make the Holy Spirit Your Closest Friend

KATHERINE RUONALA 

I was driving to church by myself recently and thinking about the Holy Spirit.

I love being around people, but I also really enjoy the moments I get to be in the car alone. I am able to have some time alone with God, and I'll take as much of that as I can get.

So as I was driving, I told the Holy Spirit how much I enjoy His companionship. I desperately want and appreciate the companionship of the Holy Spirit and need time alone with Him.

We've talked a lot about who the Holy Spirit is and how He helps us. He is there for us in times of need, and He empowers us to love others and bear fruit for His kingdom.

But the Holy Spirit wants to be more than our crisis manager and our productivity manager. He wants relationship.

People used to say of Kathryn Kuhlman that the Holy Spirit was her best friend. I remember hearing that and thinking, "Oh, I want that!"

And I do. I love that the Holy Spirit is there when we cry out for help, but the relationship is created to be so much more than that.

There's another level at which He comforts and encourages as a companion; that's the best part of our relationship with Him. If we aren't cultivating that, we're missing out on the best gift He has given us: Himself.

"A man who has friends must show himself friendly" (Proverbs 18:24a).

When people say they don't have any friends, I encourage them to come to a meeting, eat with people, talk with them and invite them over. Be friendly and, and you'll have friends.

The next line in that verse takes it deeper: "and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother."

I love my natural family and my church family. I appreciate my friendships and have a deep sense of loyalty to my friends.

However, there is no human being on this planet who completely understands us the way the Holy Spirit does.

He's the Spirit of God Himself in the perfect fellowship of the Trinity. He knows and sees every part of you. And He gets it.

In your friendship with the Holy Spirit you never need to try to justify or defend yourself.

You don't have to worry that He will think badly of you.

He sees you as the apple of His eye. He looks at you in light of the blood of Jesus and smiles.

He says, "Angels, have a look! Aren't they beautiful? They are looking at Me!"

He absolutely delights in your company.

When I first began to understand years ago that the Holy Spirit actually enjoyed being with me and was happy to see me, everything changed.

My conversation with Him used to be filled with feelings of condemnation.

As I began to understand the truth of what it means to live by faith in God's forgiveness and righteousness, I was able to boldly approach the throne of grace.

The Bible says, "The righteous are bold as a lion" (Proverbs 28:1b), but until you settle in your heart that the blood of Jesus is enough to cleanse you from all unrighteousness, you won't be able to have that boldness.

You won't be able to engage in your relationship with the Holy Spirit at that level of delight and joy because you'll always be wondering if everything is OK between you.

The Holy Spirit is my best friend, and He speaks to me in all sorts of ways.

If you're struggling to hear God's voice, you can open up your Bible and just start reading until you get something.

The Holy Spirit will speak to you there; just keep reading.

He is the Word, and He wants to speak to you. Write down what He shows you, and meditate on it for the day.

Talk to someone about it. It's daily bread, but very often we just leave it out there on the ground like manna that was provided but never picked up.

As we read His Word, we grow accustomed to His voice.

The Holy Spirit will speak to you in ways that are unique to you if you listen expectantly.

He knows what is coming in your day, and He has encouragement for you if you take the time to time in.

Adapted from Life With the Holy Spirit by Katherine Ruonala, copyright 2017, published by Charisma House. This book helps you develop an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit so that you can know Him as the one who is there to comfort, teach, fill, empower and guide you into the purpose God has for your life. To order your copy, click on this link.

https://www.charismanews.com/opinion/69390-how-to-make-the-holy-spirit-your-closest-friend