Dear visiting friend,

I’m sure that we value our person to person friendships even more now than before the pandemic. Hugs are important! Let’s keep our friendships vital! Let’s also remember to commune with the Friend who sticks closer than a brother, He is the one who gave himself up for us all. How shall He not with Him freely give us all things?

We may not see all the tragedies that will happen on this earth before the Lord Jesus returns, but Jesus predicted among other disasters, pestilence: Luke 21:11, Mathew 24:7. No matter what, let us keep our hope on the expectation of the Lord’s sudden return. If we do that, the Day won’t catch us off guard, like the snare that the Lord warns will come on the whole earth. We can take encouragement from Jesus’ words: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." John 16:33 ESV.

One aspect of keeping our hope in the Lord is to love through His love. Though we fail to do this perfectly, let us keep pursuing Jesus’ love. It is out of His love that we have love to give. Next, let us lay down our lives to build others up; we will find ourselves full of meaning and purpose.

Thank God for a prayer of the apostle Paul that expresses how we can be strengthened in Christ and be grounded in his love through Christ’s power! Paul commands that we live out of Christ’s love: "And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." Paul has done it and we can too! "And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”

Blessings to you as you strengthen your friendship in the Lord and, through Jesus, love to others.

Jan

To an article on friendship from Proverbs that I have in my archives…Thanks Julie!

Hey Everybody!

1. Be cheerful (Proverbs 15:13) PROV 15:13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful. We got to be cheerful & smiling. People must love being around us when we are cheerful.
2. Be loyal & love always (Proverbs 17:17) PROV 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. We must never let down our friends even when they make mistakes. In fact it's when they are down & low they'll need us more.
3. Be friendly... a true friend is closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24) PROV 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. It's easy to find friends…but true & loyal God sent friends are rare, so treasure them. We need to love them like we would love our own brother or sister.
4. Don't be over bearing (Proverbs 25:17) PROV 25:17..... too much of you, and he will hate you. O I am overbearing at times ...having too much of expectations....but we shouldn't be too demanding in a friendship but should be understanding.
5. Make your friendship interesting (Proverbs 27:17) PROV 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. This is important...Be appreciative, Be concerned, pray for & pray with each other, share what God's doing in your life & help each other grow spiritually.... Build each other up.
6. Say right words at the right time (Prov25 :11) PROV 25:11 A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. This is so...important!!!!! Sometimes we jump to conclusions so....quickly & end up saying the wrong things. Let's be careful what we say. A thoughtless word can hurt a friend or loved one badly.

F	~	eel what we're feeling
R	~	eally . . . REALLY care
I	~	nvolved in our lives
E	~	nduring riches they sow
N	~	ever give up on us
D	~	earer & closer we grow

Julie