"Choosing Friends"

How much thought have you given to choosing friends? Should we be concerned about those we spend great amounts of time with?

• "Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence." (George Washington) 
• "When you choose your friends, don't be short-changed by choosing personality over character." (W. Somerset Maugham) 
• “A good friend will always stab you in the front.” (Oscar Wilde) 
• "Don’t make friends who are comfortable to be with. Make friends who will force you to lever yourself up." (Thomas J. Watson)

Is it true that friends can help make you into more than you are but that they can also break you and prevent you from becoming what you could be? This appears to be a valid consideration for all of us to process.

Is it really possible that the choice of friends made by Amnon, king David's son, is what led to his murder? In 2 Samuel 13 we find the story that our Convocation speaker, Pastor Jentezen Franklin, used to sharpen us with on Wednesday. He has challenged us to reflect on the importance of surrounding ourselves with the right kind of people. Young ladies were challenged to protect themselves from young men who do not have God's ways in mind, and likewise for young men regarding young ladies. How many of us really believe this subject is that critical today? We often do not see ourselves choosing friends that could ever be like Jonadab ("a very shrewd man"). Do we really believe that a choice of friends could lead to our murder (that's pretty drastic isn't it?). Isn't it possible that we could change that person who may be a little rough around the edges, after all we always have fun times when they are around! "I don't think I need to stay away from them, it's not like I will become like them." Aren't we entitled to unbridled fun during this time in life? We can always get serious later, right? Is it realistic for us to to say to someone "I like you, but I love Jesus!", and then put some distance between us and them? Is it OK to be alone for a season...aren't we missing out?

We were reminded by Pastor Franklin, that the enemy always wins the battle when we get on his turf...in the darkness of sin. "Sin is not your friend, but it will disguise itself as such." The problem is that we often do not realize when we are in his house! The solution is to have friends that will warn us! Will you honestly consider the dangers of having the wrong friends? Consider your behavior, have your friends changed you over the last 6 months? Your call.


"A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray." Prov. 12:26

His Grace is Enough

Psalm 40

I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry,
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock,
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord,
and put their trust in him.

I can almost see the end of the semester coming! Where there will be no more homework, or exams, but Thanksgiving and Christmas! However, the last part of the race is always the hardest one for most of us! I am praying for you readers that we can finish this race strong! I am glad that we can always turn to Jesus when we are weak and tired. I pray that you can find wisdom and strength in Him today :)

His grace is enough!

Praying,
Joey, Prayer Manager

Trials & Temptations

My devotion, today, came from the book of James chapter one. This book was written and presented by a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, James, to the twelve tribes around the nations. In this beginning chapter, of the book of James, the verses touch on the many trials and temptations that the people of the Church were facing.

From this chapter, I have gained the idea of how to apply a righteous perspective in the midst of any trial or temptation that presents itself on my path. God is NOT a God who puts sinful or evil temptation in our lives. Satan, however, does. Satan knows the evil desires each and every one of us holds deep down in our heart. He seeks those very unique desires in our hearts and uses them against us. He takes them and correlates them with a situation we are going through, whether good or bad. Then he attacks.

In this first chapter, James gives wisdom on how to take those trials and temptations and use them as a tester of our personal faith. It is crucially important to look at how we can “persevere” onward in our Christian walk and not give into the evil game Satan wants to play with in our faith. God is merciful and righteous in His judgment. He is good, true to His word, and the breather of a born-again life.

God will call those of us who turn away from such evil doings, blessed. To apply this message into my own personal walk with Christ, I must continue to cling to my mighty fortress, which is God, and not let go. In the midst of my trials and temptations, I will find shelter and strength in the one who can calm the storm. He is my rock and salvation, and I must always focus on that truth when these trials and temptations arise. If I lift them up to my Heavenly Father, then He will provide for me and call me blessed.

Encouragement During the Storms of Life

Tonight, I would like to share with you one of my favorite passages in the Bible. It is Romans 8:28, 31, 35, 37 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose... And what shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, then who can be against us?... Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."

These verses greatly encourage me and I hope you too. It comforts me to know that even through the hardships in this life, God is still there loving us and working for the good of those He loves. Next time you feel overwhelmed or discouraged, I pray that you will remember these words and remember that no matter what God will always be there. He never changes or leaves us. We are not orphans, but rather His children.