Sharing and Caring --
Many people think that others do not care. They never receive any encouraging words. They never have help with a problem. They go to the hospital and no one comes to see them. They sit at home crying and no friend comes by or calls. Does this describe your life? If so, you are encouraged to read on!
Many people do not tell anyone their problems. They do not share with others the heartaches they are experiencing. They are very private people. They do their shopping or stay at home. They cook their food and eat by themselves. They never invite anyone to their house. They never go to another’s house. Some might call them loners!
Proverbs 18:24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. I have heard people say that no one cares. This may be true! You must ask yourself, are you friendly to others?
Do you care about them? Do you seek others for their well being? How long has it been since you have had a conversation with someone about their health? Everyone has stories to tell. Everyone has ideas they would like to tell to others.
We must show ourselves to be friendly if we want a friend! Read these verses: “A friend loves at all times,” Proverbs 17:17 “Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man's friend gives delight by hearty counsel.” Proverbs 27:9
The friendship of David and Jonathan was great. Jonathan even defended David before his father, King Saul. The loyalty of Jonathan to David does not surprise us because of the great love that David had for Jonathan! You can be a friend like David if you cultivate your life. Share your life with others, but more importantly, let them share their life with you
Love, Vernon
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Never Forsake the Lord --
When Moses was assuring the people about the Lord’s faithfulness in the beginning of their relationship with God he said, “(for the LORD your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them.” Deut 4:31
When Moses was giving the leadership of Israel to Joshua, he told the nation, “ Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." Deut 31:6
When the Israelites were in bondage, Ezra said, “For we were slaves. Yet our God did not forsake us in our bondage; but He extended mercy to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to revive us, to repair the house of our God, to rebuild its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem.” Ezra 9:9
The truth is that God has never forsaken his people nor will he ever. “For the LORD loves justice, and does not forsake His saints; Psalms 37:28
Jesus has promised that we are not left alone. We have the promise of him never forsaking us.
Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Matthew 28:20 “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
Have we made that same commitment to Jesus? If we forsake the Lord, then we are lost! “The LORD is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. 2 Chronicles 15:2
Love, Vernon