November 22 2015 Cultivating My Friendships

CULTIVATING MY FRIENDSHIPS

Wiser- Part 6

Proverbs 27:19 (LB) "A mirror reflects a man's face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses.  "

SIX MARKS OF A REAL FRIEND

1. I must be COMMITTED

Proverbs 18:24"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."            

Proverbs 18:24 (GN)"Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers.  "

2. I must be CONSIDERATE

Proverbs 19:22 (LB) "Kindness makes a man attractive. 

Proverbs 17:9 (LB)  "Love forgets mistakes.  Nagging about them parts the best of friends.  "

3. I must be CONFIDENTIAL

Proverbs 11:13 "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.  "

4. I must be CANDID        

Proverbs 27:5-6 "Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds  from a friend can be trusted "

Proverbs 24:26 (GN) An honest answer is the sign of a true  friendship.  "

5. I must be CONSTRUCTIVE

Proverbs 27:17 (Knox)"As iron sharpens iron, friend shapes friend    

1 Thessalonians 5:11

6. I must be CONSISTENT

Proverbs 17:17  "A friend loves at ALL times, and a brother is born for adversity. 

Romans 5:11 (LB)"Now we can rejoice in our wonderful relationship with God  all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done in dying for our sins - making us friends with God!"

February 24 2013 How To Win The Respect Of Others

HOW TO WIN THE RESPECT OF OTHERS
Exodus 20:16

Verse 16 - You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
Prov. 17:7 - Respected people do not tell lies.

I.  First you win respect by not giving false testimony

TYPES OF FALSE TESTIMONY

1.  By gossip.
Definition:
Prov. 26:20 & 22 - Without wood a fire goes out, without gossip a quarrel dies.  The words of a gossip are like choice morsels, they go down to a man’s inmost parts.
Varieties:

2.  By slander.
Definition:
James 4:11 - Brothers do not slander one another.  Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the Law.  There is only one Lawgiver and Judge.

3. By flattery.
Definition:
Prov. 26:28 - Flattery is a form of hatred and wounds cruelly.
Prov. 29:5 - Whoever flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet.

II.  The way to win the respect of others:

1.  Examine your heart.
Jer. 17:9 - The heart is deceitful above all things.

MOTIVES FOR DISHONESTY
* Fear                
* Anger
* Pride
* Selfishness

2.  Think about honest things.
Phil. 4:8 - Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. 

3.  Refuse to give or receive gossip.
Prov. 11:13 - A gossip goes around spreading rumors, while a trustworthy man tries to quiet them.

4.  Keep your promises.
Psalm 15:4-5 - He who keeps his oath even when it hurts, shall never be shaken.

5.  Be an encourager.
Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

T Is it True
H Is it Helpful
I Is it Inspiring
N Is it Necessary
K Is it Kind

Psalm 34:11 & 12 - If you love life and desire to see many good days, then keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.