Friendship vs Brothers and/or Sisters ( See Note Below)

bible.com/bible/100/pro.17.17.NASB1995

Note of explanation: The difference between a friend and brother is noted here. A true friend is a constant source of love, while a brother in one’s family may not be close, but is drawn near to help in trouble. Friends are closer than brothers because they are available all the time, not just in the crisis. Cf. 18:24.

Advertisement

Happy New Year, brothers and sisters. Out with the old, in with the new. Can’t wait to see what the Lord will do in each of our lives and look forward to hearing about it, from each of you.

bible.com/bible/100/isa.43.18-19.NASB1995

Thank you Jesus, that through you, we find life! Not only now, but for all of eternity. This truly is good news, that though we don’t deserve it, we find Mercy and Grace, through you.

bible.com/bible/100/mrk.8.35.NASB1995

There are two religious paths you can take. The way of the law and works that lead to destruction, or the way of life, through Jesus by faith in his perfect life of sacrifice and his resurrection, that leads to everlasting life. There is nothing he cannot over, if you surrender your life to him! Is this not good new, if you are suffering? He cares for his sheep, and leads them to green pastures. If you are lost, seek him and he will find you. Jesus is his name and there is no other.

www.bible.com/100/act.4.12.nasb1995

I am blessed with a great companion in my wife. I have found this verse to be so true in my life. My wife, helps me be more than i could be, by myself. It had also, been so true and a blessing with some of our closest friends. How about you? Where have you found this truth in your life, from God’s word?

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.
Ecclesiastes 4:9‭-‬10 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/ecc.4.9-10.NASB

I want you to stop and think about this, with me for a minute. Jesus’s way, is not the world’s way. We are called to Love our enemies, not destroy and overcome, like the worldly view. We overcome with Love and Compassion, just as Jesus did. Think about an enemy, or someone you are at war (there is strife of some sort) with right now. Show compassion and love to them, but don’t do it to get something. Do it because that is how Jesus did it. The rest is not up to us. God Bless you today.

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
LUKE 6:36 NASB
https://bible.com/verse-of-the-day/luk.6.36/420

Lord, may our hearts humbly bow before you, in persistent prayer. May we be alert, to the needs of others, so we might lift them up. Reveal yourself to us, through answered prayer, even though it may not be, what we wanted the outcome to be. May we always remember, that you care about us and love hearing our petitions.

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;
COLOSSIANS 4:2 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/col.4.2.NASB

We seemed to have lost this, in the church. You don’t necessarily need to publicly, go on social media and tell the world, but you need close friends that you can trust and will hold you accountable. I’m not saying that social media is not a powerful tool to share, but you may want to have your closest friends, walk with you through it first. It takes a lot of courage, to bare your soul, to the whole world. Especially for those who don’t understand, but……How healing to those whose lives are forever changed, by your courageous obedience, to this verse, who may be also struggling with he same issue. Also, this verse is talking to believers in the church, and not to those who have never given their lives to Christ.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
James 5:16 NASB
https://bible.com/verse-of-the-day/jas.5.16/10787

Mankind, can never earn their salvation! It is a futile effort, to do this in our own strength. The Good News though, is God makes it all possible, through Jesus. We are forever grateful Lord, for what yoo have given freely to those who will receive. Amen

And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26 NASB

https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.19.26.NASB

Thank you Jesus, for revealing yourself, when even 2 or 3 gather together in your name.

In context, Christ was referring to discipline (training), for purposes of restorating a brother or sister from sin.  This could be used for fellowship or worship as well, that Christ would be there.
For where two or  have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

Matthew 18:20 NASB

https://bible.com/verse-of-the-day/mat.18.20/6017