Daily Bread_April 10, 2013

Title: The Marks of a True Friend

Text:

Proverbs 3:3 (HCSB)
³ Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

Observation:

When I pray I often used the acronym ASK in search of God's will in the matter. I discovered this practice while teaching a unit on, "How to Pray for Others".  The bible says this.

Matthew 7:7 (HCSB)
⁷ "Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

A = Ask a question in search of God's will. Lord, what is your will concerning my friend finding a few friends?

S = Seek - Listen for God's answer to my prayer as I read His Word using my bible reading plans.

K = Knock - When God reveals the answer it leaps off the page and into my heart. I know that I know that I have heard from the Lord. Then, I begin to thank the Lord as if it is a present possession. Hallelujah!

God led me to Proverbs 3:3 in answer to my prayer. What a test for evaluating your close friends; loyalty and faithfulness. If we are a child of God we have a friend like that, and his name is Jesus. He has those qualities, and more.

Revelation 19:11 (HCSB)
¹¹ Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and He judges and makes war in righteousness.

Hebrews 13:5 (HCSB)
⁵ Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.

We can have these qualities, but we have to work them out in our daily behavior. The seed has been planted in our lives; the Holy Spirit who is love. Loyalty, faithfulness, and trust are the fruits of unconditional love. Let us love others with the love of the Lord. Be a friend with these qualities, and you will find similar friends.

After you have asked; keep on seeking until you hear from God, and then knock; give the Lord some praise and thanks for hearing and answering your prayer.

Prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that others will find in me a friend that is loyal and faithful. Father, I thank you that Jesus is my friend for life and eternity. Lord Jesus, thank you for your promise that you will never leave me or forsake me. Hallelujah! In Jesus name, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/