Buddies
Reading: 2 Samuel 1:25-27; Proverbs 27:5-10
“Do not be misled;
bad company corrupts good character” (1 Cor 15:33)
We all need friends. We look for someone to whom we can open up. Unfortunately we get hooked in the wrong place and destroy ourselves. I went to a lady’s house. She wept her heart out and opened a door. Inside was her 6 foot 2 inch son walking up and down like an animal. He was an excellent student who was going to his friend’s house to study, who got him hooked to drugs.
Amnon’s friend Jonadab could have counseled him wisely. Instead he led him to his downfall and death (2 Sam 13:3). David was wise in the choice of his friends. Jonathan, during his youthful days and Hushai later were godly men who moulded his character (2 Sam 15:37; 16:16; 1 Chr 27:33). Haman’s evil friends were cause for his going to the gallows (Esth 5:10, 14; 6:13). But Esther’s and Lydia’s friends could pray with them (Esth 4:16; Acts 16:13,14).
“The righteous choose their friends carefully” (Prov 12:26). If you are rich you will have many friends (Prov 14:20). But in your adversity they will leave you. A true friend will stick to you till the end. “A friend loves at all times” (Prov 17:17). Choose spiritual friends who will love you even if you go astray and rebuke you. That is safety for you. “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Prov 18:24). It is not easy to identify reliable friends. So be watchful. See their family and religious background. Do not open your heart too soon. You have to first gauge who will stick to you closer than a sister, who will look for your good and be honest with you.
Their words may hurt you but they are like surgery that heals (Prov 27:6,9). If you find such a friend, you are truly blessed. Do not leave that friend forever (Prov 27:10). Mary saw such a friend in her aunt Elizabeth. The youth could trust her old aunt and freely relate to her. May be an aunt or teacher can be a close confidant for you (Eccl 4:10). If you notice that your friend can fly off the handle any moment, move away from her or else you will soon learn her ways (Prov 22:24).
Do you know Abraham had a good, reliable and supportive friend? It was God! Abraham had a successful life because of this friendship (2 Chr 20:7; Isa 41:8; Js 2:23). Let's have Him as our Friend too. He will stick closer than a brother! (Job 29:4).
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
Buddies
Reading: 2 Samuel 1:25-27; Proverbs 27:5-10
“Do not be misled;
bad company corrupts good character” (1 Cor 15:33)
We all need friends. We look for someone to whom we can open up. Unfortunately we get hooked in the wrong place and destroy ourselves. I went to a lady’s house. She wept her heart out and opened a door. Inside was her 6 foot 2 inch son walking up and down like an animal. He was an excellent student who was going to his friend’s house to study, who got him hooked to drugs.
Amnon’s friend Jonadab could have counseled him wisely. Instead he led him to his downfall and death (2 Sam 13:3). David was wise in the choice of his friends. Jonathan, during his youthful days and Hushai later were godly men who moulded his character (2 Sam 15:37; 16:16; 1 Chr 27:33). Haman’s evil friends were cause for his going to the gallows (Esth 5:10, 14; 6:13). But Esther’s and Lydia’s friends could pray with them (Esth 4:16; Acts 16:13,14).
“The righteous choose their friends carefully” (Prov 12:26). If you are rich you will have many friends (Prov 14:20). But in your adversity they will leave you. A true friend will stick to you till the end. “A friend loves at all times” (Prov 17:17). Choose spiritual friends who will love you even if you go astray and rebuke you. That is safety for you. “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Prov 18:24). It is not easy to identify reliable friends. So be watchful. See their family and religious background. Do not open your heart too soon. You have to first gauge who will stick to you closer than a sister, who will look for your good and be honest with you.
Their words may hurt you but they are like surgery that heals (Prov 27:6,9). If you find such a friend, you are truly blessed. Do not leave that friend forever (Prov 27:10). Mary saw such a friend in her aunt Elizabeth. The youth could trust her old aunt and freely relate to her. May be an aunt or teacher can be a close confidant for you (Eccl 4:10). If you notice that your friend can fly off the handle any moment, move away from her or else you will soon learn her ways (Prov 22:24).
Do you know Abraham had a good, reliable and supportive friend? It was God! Abraham had a successful life because of this friendship (2 Chr 20:7; Isa 41:8; Js 2:23). Let's have Him as our Friend too. He will stick closer than a brother! (Job 29:4).
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
