The month of January
Scripture: Proverbs: 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Lesson Objective: To begin to understand the importance of friendship in the Christian walk.
Many in the world take friendship lightly. One can be friends today and enemies tomorrow. It is important for Christians to understand that friendship must be first defined by whether someone is a Christian and a part of God’s body. This may sound harsh but how can someone be your friend and not a friend of Christ. It is also imperative that one understands that the most important ingredient for friendship is love. A true friend is one that is honest and tells one what they need to know, not what they may want to hear. True friends make each other better. (Proverbs 27:17), Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 also discuss the need for a real friend.
Thought for today: Who are my closest friends and are they Christians?
Scripture: 1 Samuel 18: 1b
…the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
Lesson Objective: To look at an example of true love and friendship as recorded in the Bible
Perhaps the greatest story of friendship in the Bible is that of Jonathan and David. 1 Samuel 18: 1-4 describes the true love of Jonathan for David. Jonathan made a promise of friendship with David and demonstrated that by giving David his robe, his sword, his bow and his complete set of armor. When we call someone a true friend, we must be willing to give all to the relationship to not only include material things but also our time and energy when the friend is in need. In this case Jonathan also gave up any thoughts of being King and even chose the love of David over his father when his father wanted to kill David.Thought for today: Who is my closest friend and what have I given them that really demonstrates my unrelenting love for them?
Scripture: 2 Kings 2:2:
But Elisha said, "As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!"
Lesson Objective: To look at a friendship that could not be broken until death
Often times people have several “best “ friends”. This friendship could be as a result of being school chums in elementary school or working together in the same office. Sometimes friendships develop between mentors and mentees. However very often the friendships do not last. One moves away to a different city or moves to a different job and the friendship begins to suffer to the extent that it becomes one of a few telephone calls and a few cards. True friendship is based on love and as such the friendship will never cease. So is our Friendship with God. He will never leave us and it is not only to death but beyond
Thought for today: With whom do I have a true friendship that neither space nor time will come between? Am I true to my word when I said we would be friends forever?
Scripture: Proverbs: 17:17
A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
Lesson Objective: To understand that friendship is stronger than being a brother.
We are taught that the biological family is very important and it is but the Bible teaches us that true love and friendship transcends the biological family. True friendships and relationships are not based upon “blood” relationships but the bond that occurs when two people really learn the meaning of friendship through their relationship with Jesus Christ. A truly committed marriage is where both can say that they are not only husband and wife but also best friends. The Bible says that a true friend is one that is willing to give his life for another. This is the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus Christ demonstrated that friendship by not only being willing but dying on the cross for our sins so that we could be a part of the adopted family of God. As the song writer says “What a Friend we have in Jesus”
Thought for today: How much are you really ready to sacrifice for a friend? Are you willing to give your all?
Scripture: Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
Lesson Objective: To understand that true friends must be honest to each other.
True friendship is more than saying what one wants to hear. True friendship is being able to hold each other accountable. Many times we choose our friends because they laugh at our jokes or like the same things that we do. A Loving friendship is not based upon what happens when all is going well. It is based upon what happens when things are not going so well. A true friend is one that is not only there to pick you up when you are down, but also to provide honest and “bible-based” feedback when we are not following the word of God. A true friend’s wise counsel can keep us from making unnecessary mistakes in our lives. We must surround ourselves not with those who say what we wish to hear but those who say what we need to hear.
Thought for today: When a true friend offers you constructive criticism, do you thank them or do you get defensive?
Scripture: James 2:23
Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. And he was called the friend of God.
Lesson Objective: To understand the basis of friendship is relationships.
Friendships do not occur over night. It is not a one- night stand. Friendship is a development of love that is the result of a relationship. A relationship can only occur when there is an intentional act to learn about the other person and to be willing to share our weaknesses and needs with another. An intentional relationship is one where we are honest about our feelings and we are able to have a heartfelt conversation with another. It is where we seek almost daily to have this conversation.
Thought for today: To whom today will I reach out to have an intentional relationship? Do I have an intentional relationship with God so that he can call me a friend?
Scripture: Proverbs 18:24
A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother
Lesson Objective: To understand our responsibility in seeking a true friend.
How many times have your heard someone say that they do not have any friends? How many times have you heard someone say that the party was boring even though every one else there appeared to be enjoying themselves. Enjoying ourselves at the party is not the responsibility of the host. The only thing the host can do is to invite us to the party. To have a friend one must be friendly. This simply means that when you go to the party you cannot sit in a corner and expect everyone to come to you. You must get out of the seat and out of the corner and become friendly. Christ says that one must ask, seek and knock. The door will never be open unless you knock on the door of friendship.
Thought for today: Do you actively seek to have true friendships with Christians or do you wait?
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4: 9
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor
Lesson Objective: To understand that we are not put on this earth to be alone.
There are some individuals who sadly believe that they do not need any one in their lives. They constantly work diligently by excluding others from their lives by their actions and words. They never seek friendships and relationships but instead wrongly believe that they can make it on their own. This is far from the truth and is not biblically correct. The Bible does not teach independence and sole reliance but exactly the opposite. The Bible teaches that we must be dependant on others for it is the will and design of God. Christ sent the disciples out two by two and even Christ asked the disciples to pray with him.
Thought for today: Have you done anything today that will exclude others from having a true friendship with you?
Scripture: Matthew 22:37
Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
Lesson Objective: To understand that God is the basis for all love and that we have to love God first before we can love others or ourselves.
The usual thought in the world is that we should first learn to love ourselves before we learn to love others. While this may sound good, it is completely opposite of what the Bible teaches. Jesus taught that our first obligation is to Love God totally with no hesitancy whatsoever. We are to love him with our total body. This commandment corresponds to the first four of the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament. Those commandments teach us how to show our love for God. Therefore we must first learn how to love God totally before we can love others or ourselves.
Thought for today:
In what manner will I show my love for God today?
Scripture: Matthew 22:39
And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself’.
Lesson Objective:
To understand who is our neighbor and how are we to demonstrate that love.
Often times during the year, we go into our closet to see what we are going to give away to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. We look quickly for those items that are no longer fashionable or items that we can no longer fit. It is easy to give these items away. However, do we ever give away that favorite dress or favorite pair of shoes or any other item that we may treasure. To show real love, one does not give what they do not want but instead part with those things that are most dear to them. God gave his only begotten son so that we can all have an opportunity for everlasting life.
Thought for today:
Plan today to go out and be a true blessing to someone that you do not even know.
Scripture: Mark 9:35
And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.
Lesson Objective: To understand the importance of putting others first, which is consistent with the teachings of Christ.
When a man first dates the love of his life, he takes her to the restaurant of her choice or the movie of her choice. He is so eager to please her that he puts his own wishes behind so that he can show her how much he loves her by putting her wishes and desires first. He delights in seeing the glimmer in her eye when she opens a gift or receives flowers. When we really and truly love someone, we get great joy in making them happy. Which is why we always are most happy when we do for others.
Thought for today:
How different would the world be if we all made decisions that was best for others rather than for ourselves.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:13
…Faith, Hope and Love but the greatest of these is Love.
Lesson Objective: To better define love so that we know how to love and to keep the Great Commandment.
Rick Warren has defined love as giving up, yielding my preferences, comfort, goals, security, money, energy or time for the benefit of another. Clearly love is giving up something that I may value so that another may be blessed. We are the hands, feet, and eyes of God here on earth. Matthew 25:40 states….as you did to the least of my brethren, you did unto me. It is necessary for each to understand that true love involves sacrifice of material goods, time, effort, so forth, for the blessings of others.
Thought for today:
What will I sacrifice today so that another may reap the benefit of the blessings of God?
Scripture: 1 John 3:18
Let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth.
Lesson Objective:
To understand that true love requires an intentional act on our behalf and not just merely words.
For many it is easy to say that “I love you” but the question is whether that love is demonstrated daily. Christ demonstrated his love for us by his actions. He consistently went about doing good. 1 Corinthians 14:1 says that we are to make love our daily aim. Our daily aim is to be more and more like Jesus which requires us to live a life of love according to 2 John 1:6. We can tell if a parent loves their child by whether they provide not only the daily essentials but also meets some of the child’s wishes, A parent who can financially take care of their child and does not do such can not really love that child.
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Thought for today:
Love is not only providing financially but an investment of time.
Scripture: Genesis 29:20
So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.
Lesson Objective: To understand that true love is everlasting and unchanging.
Jacob wanted to marry Rachel and worked seven years for the right however his soon to be father-in-law tricked him into marrying Leah (Rachel’s sister) who he did not love. Jacob then agreed to work seven more years for the right to marry Rachel. Jacob could have been satisfied with Leah or walked away but his love for Rachel was so strong that he agreed to work seven more years. The Bible even says that the seven years seemed short because of his love. If we truly love, we will never give up that love no matter what the challenges or the situation. God never gives up on us because he loves us unfailingly.
Thought for today: God never gives up on us no matter what. Do we give up on God?
Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:10
But showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
Lesson Objective: To understand that our love for God is directly reflected by our obedience to Him.
The Bible says that children should love their parents and that they show that love by honoring and obeying them. That is also true with God. We cannot earn the love of God but God does require one thing of us and that is to obey his commandments. God expects us to obey him unconditionally and with true zeal. This obedience is shown by our faith and trust in God. We are never to question why or when but to just do as he instructs. We must have the faith of Abraham and to follow God’s directions for our lives. True obedience and unwavering trust in God is the duty of all who choose to be called a Child of God.
Thought for today:
Obeying God is easy when it something with which we agree, however, how obedient are we when it is a habit that we find difficult to change
Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:5
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
Lesson Objective: To understand that true love for God must be total and unquestionable.
We cannot love God a little bit. We either love him or hate him. We must be willing to forsake all to follow him. God requires all of us. The Bible teaches that God is a jealous God and thus he is not to be shared with any other god. We must give God our all. Furthermore all that we do should be done for the glory of God so that we must complete all task to the best of our abilities. The Scriptures further says that one cannot serve two masters for we will love one and hate the other. As the song says 99 and ½ will not do. We must give 100%. True love requires 100% of our time and efforts.
Thought for today:
What can I do more for God to show him how much I love him. Do I do all I can or do I use excuses for not giving my all?
Scripture: Genesis 29:32
So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, "The Lord has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me
Lesson Objective: To understand that true love cannot be earned.
The story of Leah, Rachael and Jacob has many lessons for us today. Leah was not the first choice of Jacob; and Jacob never professed love for her. Leah thought that by having a baby for Jacob that she would earn his love. She was wrong. Not only did Jacob not love her; but, he had more love for Joseph which was only because Joseph was the first child of Rachael. I am so glad that God’s love for me is unconditional and that he does not require me to work for his love but to accept his love by keeping his commandments.
Thought for today: Is there someone in my life that I say I love but only love them if they meet certain conditions or actions.
Scripture: Proverbs 9:8
Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you
Lesson Objective: To understand that true love is reflected in not just encouragement but also rebuke.
Often times we are challenged by others to revisit our values or general thoughts on issues. More often then not we become very defensive and in fact stop listening to the other person. We become so intoned with defending our point of view that instead of listening we are thinking of our next point to argue. A wise man understands the importance of having a true friend who will be honest. Moreover this scripture admonishes us to not spend time trying to correct a person who is not wise. This process will only result in an argument. However, if we provide corrective criticism to a wise man, he will listen and govern himself accordingly.
Thought for today: Just like we want others to listen to us, we must also be willing to listen to those who can offer us wise counsel. Do you listen?
Scripture: Matthew 5:44
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
Lesson Objective: To understand the importance of loving everyone, not just those who we call our friends.
Christ teaches us that it is more important to love your enemies then to love your friends if we are going to be like Christ. The Bible says that even sinners love other sinners. It is not easy to love those who despise us because it appears to be opposite all that we are taught from birth. How can individuals forgive those who have committed murder or rape to their love ones. They can only do it by understanding what it truly means to love their enemy. Both Christ and Stephen were able to love their enemies even when they were being murdered.
Thought for today: I challenge you to go out and find the one person with whom you really do not get alone and tell them that you love them.
Scripture: John 13:35
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
Lesson Objective: To understand that the world is watching us to see how we react when we have differences of opinions.
It is always very discouraging to see how Christians react when there is disagreement in the Church. As it is often stated, Christians may be the only Bible that many others in the world read. It is imperative that Christians practice the words of Christ. Does this mean that Christians agree on everything? Certainly not. It is expected that Christians will not agree on everything but can and do agree to disagree. It is often stated that two can disagree without being disagreeable. There is never a reason for Christians to resort to earthly means such as courts and lawsuits.
Thought for today: I should examine myself to assure that I have not mistreated a fellow brethren because of a disagreement
Scripture: John 15:12
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Lesson Objective: To understand that true love is love that can measured by Christ’s Love for each of us.
The question often asked is how much should I put up with when I think that I am being mistreated. How much love is enough? As humans we all have a breaking point when we think that we cannot love any more. That we have gone the last mile and we are unwilling to go any further. However, we must remember that Christ loves us even though we sin each and every day. He loves us even though we do not follow his commandments everyday. Therefore it is imperative that we never stop loving, for Christ has never stopped loving us.
Thought for today: Is there someone whom you profess to love with whom you have limited that love because you felt that the other person did not warrant your everlasting love?
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:3
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Lesson Objective: To understand the importance of love in the Christian walk.
Christ summarized the ten commandments into the two great commandments which are to Love the Lord God and to Love our Neighbors. He stated that all of the commandments hung on these two commandments. We must understand that it is not just the task that we complete; but, the reason why we are doing it. It is not just enough to feed the poor or clothe the naked. We must be doing such out of love and compassion. If what we are doing is done to benefit us such as to receive some type of public acknowledgement then the Bible is very clear that we have already received our reward here on earth.
Thought for today: Take the time to really examine the last time you helped someone that you did not know. What was the motivation behind the act? Is there anyone else who knows of the deed?
Scripture: Ephesians 4:2
With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.
Lesson Objective: To understand that true love is not puffed up and prideful.
True love does not reflect it’s self in dominance over another. Love is reflected in how we serve each other daily. Some one defined Empathy as getting to understand me when you are truly able to walk a mile in my shoes. Furthermore, it has been stated that without empathy there can be no real love. With empathy comes longsuffering and being humble. Until then you can only think you know how I feel. If we truly put ourselves in the place of others and try and feel their pain and or joys we would go a long way in assuring that we demonstrate love even when we do not always understand.
Thought for today: Before passing judgment on to someone, put yourself in their place and see if you have the same thoughts.
Scripture: 1 Peter 4:8
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."
Lesson Objective: To understand the importance that love plays in overlooking simple mistakes that we all make.
The verse above is very similar to the one found in Proverbs 10:12 which states “Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins”. What this means is that when we have love we overlook actions that may cause problems if we did not have love. A friend can raise their voice when talking to us and we see it only as their personality and excitement. Another person who we do not know, can raise their voice in the same manner and we feel insulted and get angry. Another example is how someone may look at us or look through us. A friend can walk past us and not speak and we say they just overlooked us. Another may walk past and not speak and we say that they are ignoring us.
Thought for today: Today, I will treat everyone as a friend and not think the worse, but think the best in all that I do.
Scripture: 1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.
Lesson Objective: To understand that learning the power of love is essential for the process of becoming a Christian.
Sadly many individuals go through life never understanding the importance of love in their lives. They fail to understand the importance that Christ puts on love for those who wish to have eternal life. We must understand that we are striving to come from a state of sin and death to a state of eternal life through Jesus Christ. The ticket and the only way to eternal life is love. This means that we must have love for all. We cannot choose whom we love and whom we do not love. It is certain just as we cannot enter heaven if we fail to repent for our sins, we cannot enter heaven without loving our neighbor and all are our neighbor.
Thought for today: How would you feel if the only one that could punch your ticket for eternal life was someone that you did not love?
Scripture: 1 John 4:8
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
Lesson Objective: To continue the discussion on the importance of love in our lives.
In sports there are individuals that transcend the sport and their name becomes synonymous with the sport. It is the same for movies and other various professions. Usually one only has to say the initials or the first name. MJ- Basketball; Denzel- Movies; Babe- Baseball; or nicknames such as Say Hey Kid- Willie Mays or The Greatest- Muhammad Ali. The word Love is synonymous with God. The Bible is very clear of the importance of love as it relates to God and mankind. God created all mankind and how can we say we love God if we do not love something that he created. As 1 John 3:10b says “Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother”
Thought for today: How can you say you love God who you have never seen and hate your brother who you see every day?