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!"

March 16 2014 Growing The Character Of Kindness

Growing The Character of Kindness

Galatians 5:22 – The Fruit of the Spirit is kindness.

Colossians 3:12 – Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Two Reasons For Kindness:

1. God is kind to us.
2. We want people to be kind to us.

Five Characteristics Of Kindness:

1. A kind person is sensitive to others.

Philippians 2:4 – Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interest of others.

David: Kind to Saul’s grandson.

2. A kind person is supportive.

Proverbs 15:4 – Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.

Proverbs 10:32 – Righteous people know the kind thing to say, but the wicked are always saying things that hurt.

3. A kind person is sympathetic.

Romans 12:15 – When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow.

John 11:35 – Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus.

4. A kind person is straight forward.

Proverbs 27:6 – Wounds from a friend are better that kisses from an enemy.

5. A kind person is spontaneous.

Galatians 6:10 – As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers.

The Number One Enemy Of Kindness Is: BUSYNESS!!!

A Project For This Week: Write down seven people you want to show kindness to this week. List the ways you can do it. Ask God to give you the opportunity to show kindness to one of them each day.

September 8 2013 The Art Of Confrontation

Memory Verse: “Wounds made by a friend are intended to help, but an enemy’s kisses are too much to bear.” – Proverbs 27:6

Confrontation: A meeting between two friends for the purpose of restoring godliness.

THE ART OF CONFRONTATION: NATHAN AND DAVID - 2 Samuel 12:1-14

1. FOLLOW GOD’S LEADERSHIP CAREFULLY

Verse 1 “So the LORD sent Nathan….”

2. REQUEST A PRIVATE MEETING

Verse 1, “So the Lord sent Nathan, the prophet, to tell David.” Matthew 18:15-23.

3. PREPARE TO TACTFULLY  SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS.

Verse 1-4 “So the Lord sent Nathan the prophet to tell David this story. There were two men in a certain town. One was rich and one was poor. The rich man owned many sheep and cattle. The poor man owned nothing but the little lamb that he had worked hard to buy. This poor man, he raised this little lamb and it grew up with his children, ate from the man’s own plate and drank from his cup. He cuddled it in his arms like a baby daughter. But one day a guest arrived at the home of the rich man. But instead of killing a lamb from his own flock for food, he took the poor man’s lamb and killed it and served it to his guests.”

4. STATE THE TRUTH COMPASSIONATELY AND  TRUST THE SPIRIT.

Verse 5-13a David was furious. “As surely as the Lord lives, he vowed, any many man who would do such a thing deserves to die. He must repay four lambs to the poor man for the one he stole, and for having no pity.” “Then Nathan said to David, you are that man. The Lord, the God of Israel said, ‘I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. I gave you his house and his wives and the kingdom of Israel and Judah. If that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more. Why then have you despised the Word of the Lord and done this horrible deed. For you have murdered Uriah and stolen his wife. From this time on, the sword will be a constant threat to your family because you have despised me by taking Uriah’s wife to be your own. Because of what you have done, I, the Lord, will cause your own household to rebel against you. I will give your wives to another man and he will go to bed with them in public view. You did it secretly, but I will do this to you openly in the sight of allIsrael.” “Then David confessed to Nathan. I have sinned against the Lord,”

5. OFFER  GRACE AND SUPPORT

Verse 13b “Nathan replied, ‘Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you and you won’t die for this sin. But you have given the enemies of the Lord great opportunity to despise and blaspheme Him, so your child will die.’ God’s preferred way of restoring Godliness in your life is to do it one on one, you and God.

Hebrews 12:5-6. “My dear children, don’t shrug of God’s discipline. But don’t be crushed by it either. It is the child that He loves that He disciplines. The child He embraces, He also corrects.”