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!"

July 21 2013 God On Film: Monsters University

Memory Verse: “There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other, But a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” -Proverbs 18:24

Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.”

TO BECOME A GOD-HONORING FRIEND:
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BE A GOOD FRIEND FIRST

1 John 3:18“Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions.”

John 15:12-13 (Jesus) “I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it—the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.”
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ENCOURAGE MY FRIENDS DURING TOUGH TIMEs

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

3 Ways to Encourage a Friend in Need

1. PRAYER

2. Share a BIBLE VERSE

3. INVITE THEM TO CHURCH

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
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SEEK TO RESOLVE CONFLICT QUICKLY

Ephesians 4:26-27 “…Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil.”

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and gracious to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.”
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TRUST JESUS AS MY PRIMARY FRIEND

1 John 4:19 We love each other because he loved us first.”

Romans 5:11 “So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.”