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Proverbs 18:24. One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Acquaintances. Fans. Buddies. Is God Merely an Acquaintance? . Psalm 139:1-4.
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Proverbs 18:24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Psalm 139:1-4 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely
A True Friend - Tests • Knowing and Being known
A true friend cares enough... Friends mean well, even when they hurt you. But when an enemy puts his arm around your shoulder—watch out! – Proverbs 27:6 (Good News) Correct someone, and afterward he will appreciate it more than flattery. – Proverbs 28:23
Friend Versus Enemy • Speaks with love and sincerity • Generally deals with one specific thing at a time • Usually a quiet voice • Specific with a path to change and hope • Corrects • Convicts • Encourages to help • Gives peace with a sense of confirmation • Leads to a life of balance • Deals in anger and manipulation • Throws the “whole book” at you • Usually major clamoring • General guilt with confusion • Accuses • Condemns • Discourages to despair • Gives pressure with a sense of frustration • Leads to a life of bondage
A True Friend - Tests • Knowing and Being known • Challenging and openness to challenge
There is a time for joy “I am so happy, let us celebrate” (Luke 15:6, 9, 23) “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (John 15:11) Let everything that has breath praise the Lord (Psalm 150:6)
A True Friend - Tests • Knowing and Being known • Challenging and openness to challenge • Celebrating and being celebrated
Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you – Psalm 55:22
Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you – Psalm 55:22 • God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. - Psalm 46:1
Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you – Psalm 55:22 • God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. - Psalm 46:1 • I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16
A True Friend - Tests • Knowing and Being known • Challenging and openness to challenge • Celebrating and being celebrated • Serving and being served • Friends don’t help others forget their burdens; they bear them.
Friendship Demonstrated Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends John 15:13
Proverbs 18:24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.