🤹A Real Friend Loves All The Time⏱️

 True friends are never apart, maybe in distant but never in heart.

Oh how true that is. I have a close friend that lives in Kentucky. Although he lives almost 500 miles apart, it doesn't affect our friendship. We met in the early 1990’s and became instant friends and because of our friendship it has led to other friendships in Indiana. I’m not talking about people we just know. Oh no, I’m saying that If me and my wife were to jump in the car and go to either state. We would have those who would and have opened up their home. We would sit for hours and talk as if we lived next door. Real friends that live miles away that we hardly see face to face. These are true friends that I could write about page after page úntil you would feel as if you knew them too. 

Proverbs 17:17 (KJV) A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

We hear or may use the word friend loosely. A friend is described here as true, hearty, faithful loves in times of adversity as well as in times of prosperity. Now these kinds of friends are few and far between. These are not your Facebook friends, you will never have 100’s of them, only 1 or 2 in a lifetime. This man or woman you call your best friend is the person in your life that never judges you. You feel safe that you can tell them anything and they will never share it with anyone. There was a man I worked with. He opened up his heart one time and said to me I’m not sure I’m going to heaven, I’m just not sure I have been saved. On that day a journey began as I began to show him what he already knew. Every Bible verse I would show him he already knew. It seemed like this journey would never end. I just couldn’t help him. Then one night he started talking with me again on this subject. On that night I didn’t say a word until he was finished. I didn’t interrupt, I didn’t say but the Bible says, I just let him talk. When he said all he had to say I looked him in the eyes and said that I believed him. I told him that his actions were telling me that it was true there will be no heaven for you. No Bible verses, no trying to explain, just you are right, no Heaven for you. On that night something happened, it was like a blind man being healed, God did something within his heart. After that night he has never said another word to me about that subject. That has been many years ago now. We are still best of friends although we don't work together anymore and He has been the Pastor of  a Church for years now. He called me not long ago and told me of a dream he had. He said I dreamed I was dying and I had this awful pain in my chest. He said I heard the voice of the Lord saying “it’s going to hurt but not for long” and then he woke up. After telling me of his dream he said oh how I want to see the Lord and that wonderful place called heaven. He and I and the Lord are the only ones who know about those nights we talked. Over the years we have told each other things we would never tell an average friend. Those kinds of talks are graveyard talks meaning that we will go to our graves never sharing a word. If you have that kind of a friend you know what I’m saying. Then there is your brother; “a brother is born for adversity.” Your biological brother could be one that will help in time of “adversity” An event, or series of events, which oppose success or desire; misfortune; calamity; affliction; distress; state of unhappiness.

Our brother or sister may be another that would be there when adversity hits our lives. Many times there is nothing they can do but listen but those words they say are so meaningful. They don’t change what has happened but they give so much comfort. There were at one time 3 women in my life that I listened to, my mother, my wife and my daughter. Because of our enemy death that has now taken my mother there are only 2. As I sit here and think of the real friends I have that I really trust there are only two. One of them lives close by and the other is 500 miles away. When I need a friend they are only a phone call away. I have never asked either one for money but I have told them things I would pay them money not to tell. Oh that’s called black-male which neither would do. Why? Because they are my friends.

🙆🏻‍♂️I Don't Want Those But’s😩

Happiness can be found in the darkest of days if we remember to turn on the light.

Proverbs 15:15 (KJV) All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

I know you know somebody that is “afflicted” The word means repeated pain, either of body or mind; suffering grief or distress.

Afflicted with some type of continual pain from some type of disease. One can be “afflicted” in the mind as suffering as they grief the loss of a loved one. I read of a man who buried his wife of many years. Coming home from her funeral sitting down in his recliner and dying himself. His grief was more than he could take. We all have suffering, grief and distress in this life. There is no escaping it, it’s coming. When I read that verse in the book of Proverbs I see a word before that word “afflicted.”

It is the very first word in that verse “All.” The word “All” gives me more insight “All the days of the afflicted are evil:” This makes me ask myself what type of affliction could cause me to be “afflicted” every single day?  Maybe a desire? King Saul had a desire to kill David. 

1 Samuel 23:14  (KJV) And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.       

King Saul sought after David every day. Was it jealousy? Was it fear? Was it paranoia? Was it because of David’s popularity or his military success? I’m not sure but every day King Saul, had getting rid of David on his mind. What is the answer to someone who thinks like King Saul. Every day all they can think about is how to get the next whatever….. Jealousy floods our mind because of…… Fear over takes us about……. We think everyone is looking at us, talking about us, and they know what we did. If that is the case then we have become paranoid. Look, there’s that word “but” we are about to be told about a different direction. “a merry heart…” What will that do for my jealousy, fear, and being paranoid? Proverbs 15:13 (KJV) A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: Makes a cheerful face. Oh no there’s that word “but” again. but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. The best way I know to keep the smile off my face is to have a heart that is broken. If the smile is gone then you might need some medicine. I know the best medicine you can take it’s  “A merry heart.” 

Proverbs 17:22 (KJV) A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: Well you might say “I just don’t feel like being merry today.” If that's the case get ready here comes another “but.” “but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”

A Merry Heart will give you  “a  cheerful countenance.” “a continual feast”and “doeth good like a medicine” that’s what I want a “merry heart ” I sure don’t want all those but’s. 

😇What made the difference❓

To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.

Proverbs 14:14 (KJV) The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

In this verse we see the “backslider” and the “good man.” One can never slide backward if they aren’t  going forward. Look where the backsliding began “in heart” because it was “filled with his own ways.” Then we read something very interesting: “a good man.” A good man! I was under the understanding of what the Apostle Paul wrote in the book of  Romans 3:9 (KJV) What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

The whole human race under sin.

Romans 3:23 (KJV) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

How can that be? Genesis 1:21 (KJV) And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:24 (KJV) And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.

Genesis 1:25 (KJV) And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

Did you notice that everything reproduces after their kind? Plant corn and you get corn. Plant green beans and you get green beans. Plant an apple tree and you get apples. Depending on what kind of corn, green beans and apples there are different kinds but whatever kind you plant that is the kind you will get. Adam and Eve were human beings by the time they reproduced they had disobeyed God and had become sinners. When they had children they were of their kind, sinners. Just like the kind of corn, green bean or apple they had no choice of their own. There are those in Churches today that want to please God. They do good things. They attend regularly, they give of their time, talents and treasures. They look and sound and act great but then something happens. Their heart fills “with his own ways” not God’s way but their way. There was a song released in 1969 by the Isley Brothers named “It Your Thing” It’s your thing do what you want to do. To be honest I like to do what I want to do. The only problem with that is I don’t always get to do what I want to do. Have you ever wanted to just slap someone across the lips? You didn't get to do what you wanted to do. I know I enlarged what I wanted to do but you get the idea. Now let’s look for a moment at this “good man.” What makes him so good? Well the first thing I see is he is not working from his heart that is filled with his own ways. We read that he “shall be satisfied from himself.” He has kept himself from doing things his own way. What’s the difference? It’s not because you go to Church, give your time, talents and treasures to good things. It’s because God showed you that you were a sinner and you received the gift of His Son Jesus Christ. Romans 6:23 (KJV) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. The day one sees and understands that they are a sinner and they need a Savior. At that point ask Jesus to forgive them of their sinful ways. At that moment things change within their heart for eternity. See the difference of a heart “filled with his own ways” and “satisfied from himself.” What made the difference? Jesus Christ. Oh but there is a war that goes on everyday of our life. Even though we are forgiven and now want to follow our Lord and Savior we still live in the flesh. More times than we like we find ourselves doing things that are sinful. An unkind word, deed or action. We get unset then angry and we do or say things we wish we hadn’t. The fight against sin will never end here. Oh but one day it will when we open our eyes in another land called Heaven. Then we will be free from sin for eternity. Do I really believe that? Yes I do! Because of the proof that lives within me. If you have it you know and if you don’t you know. The Apostle Paul calls himself a wretched man the chief of sinners then Paul says this;  2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

It’s not what we do, it's what Christ did! Don’t get confused, we are not righteous and we can never do enough good to go to heaven. Nor can we be so wrong and bad that it will keep us out of heaven. We need to be forgiven and Jesus Christ is more than willing to forgive. Have you asked?

🫦Bite your Tongue👅

 What is said can never be unsaid! Be careful what you say. 

Proverbs 13:3 (KJV) He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Have you ever heard or has anyone ever said to you “you just don’t know when to keep your mouth shut.” Whether or not anyone has said that to you we have more than likely, just as I have, opened your mouth and let unwanted words fly out. The phrase  “keepeth his mouth” or "bite my tongue" we might say. I have said more than once “I just had to bite my tongue and keep my mouth shut.” I had something happen to me a few years back. The doors were closed and three men were in a room, and I was the subject. I don't know what was said but I was asked to leave the room. I stood outside the door and heard my name more than once. What I heard was not words of praise but words of concern. Like I said I don’t know what was said. I decided to keep quiet and not say a word about it to anyone. Why? because what I thought was said had nothing to do with what was really said.

A few days later the one who had called the meeting came up to me. He said “I hope you don’t think we were talking about you.” As my dad said “hit dogs always holler.” At that point I said “since you ask, yes you were.” “Why else would you have me leave when I knew more about the meeting subject than anyone in the room.” His response was silence, not a word. I kept my mouth shut and only opened it at the right time. That was the end of the subject as far as I was concerned. “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life:” I could have gotten angry, opened my mouth and said words I shouldn’t have with a wrong attitude, which would have never solved a thing. That’s not the way to handle any matter; “he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.” Knowing when to keep our mouths shut and when not to is a fine line.

Proverbs 16:20 (KJV) He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

What is said can never be unsaid! Be careful what you say at any time to anyone. 

🤪In Control😡

 You can’t always control the wind, but you can control your sails. 

That is what you want isn’t it? You don’t want to get on a jet and hear the pilot say “I’m glad you chose to fly with us today. Don't be alarmed when we reach 3000 we will do a full loop.” “Last time I tried this stunt I almost lost control of the aircraft but I’m not expecting that to happen today.” Enjoy your flight. What is control? Webster says “Power; authority;that which restrains.To check; to restrain; to govern. To have under command.”

Stop!  What can you honestly say that you have control of? Better yet, what do we let control us? You will never have a life of Joy as long as we keep Destructive feelings bottled up. Do we want to or even enjoy hanging on to our last hurts?? 

Ephesians 4:31 (KJV) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Let? What does Webster say about that?  “To permit; to allow; to suffer; to give leave or power by a positive act, or negatively” the Apostle Paul says  Let “permit; to allow” all bitterness Don’t hang on to any bitterness. Don’t! Then Paul goes on and tells us don’t hold on to “wrath, and anger”  get rid of those feelings of getting even. What? There’s more? I’m afraid so, get rid of  arguing “clamour,” and “evil speaking,”  gossiping. Paul, you are taking all the fun out of my conversation. Put all this away, take control or allow with all “malice” your desire for physical injury. I didn’t say we were doing physical injuries, I said we had a desire to do so. Have you ever said something of this nature “I would love to smash their face into the door.” That is a desire.  Now remember that we never take off without putting on.  Paul tells us that in Ephesians 4:32 (KJV) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Change our outward expression and “be ye kind one to another” this will change our inward expression “tenderhearted” Oh now I’m becoming weak.  Do what “forgiving one another.” Do you know what this person has done unto me? No I don’t and I’m sure it wasn’t pleasant. Here is where we are to stop and reflex. What if our Lord Jesus had that kind of attitude? Christ forgave us for all our wrongful actions, deeds and thoughts. Paul says, think about that and forgive others “even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Now that is having real control you are watching your mouth, guarding your tongue and are in charge of your conversations. Good Job! He who controls his anger is better than the mighty.  

Proverbs 16:32 (KJV) He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

🌬️Never Ending 💨

God’s first response to our mistakes is Mercy.

Psalms 100:5 (KJV) For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

• Making a Joyful noise unto the Lord.
• Serving the Lord with Gladness.
• Knowing that the Lord He is God.
• Enter into His Gates

How can we have this kind of attitude? 

When the storms of life rock our world? How, you ask? The number one reason is 

• We know the Master of the wind! 
• We know the maker of the rain! 

I can hear the words of my father n law as he told me over 50 years ago Wayne, the sun will shine again. 

Without doubt He can calm the storms and make the sun shine again. The Lord has and He will because “For the LORD is good”

“For the LORD is” this verse starts off with the word “For” which is a function word to indicate purpose, used as a function word to indicate an intended goal. Have you ever heard someone say “I’m not that bad, I’m a pretty GOOD person!” Well here we have a definition of the word good. You want to be good? Here is the function of good being like the Lord. The function of being good is to have never ending “mercy is everlasting” treat an offender better than he or she deserves. Being good also is to be truthful to all. There you go. So being good is to treat others better than they deserve. Not just those you love or like oh no but everyone. Have you ever called someone a “low life, jerk, an idiot, their lights upstairs are not all burning" and many more negative terms? I thought so. What about being truthful at all times? Never let a little bitty white lie slip out, just once? Well there you go now do you understand what Paul was saying? 

Romans 3:10 (KJV) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Romans 3:11 (KJV) There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

Romans 3:12 (KJV) They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

You might say I’m good, the Bible says you aren’t? Who are we going to believe? Ourselves or the God of the Bible? It’s written in black in white for all to read, you are not! Aren’t you glad we serve a God who is Always “good” who always has “mercy” and His “truth endureth to all generations.” What do we each have that’s not enough? In our mind we say if we had more it would be enough until we get more and then it’s  no longer enough. In other words you can never have enough.

In Christ Jesus we have more than enough. That’s why the child of God is Joyful. That’s why we serve the Lord with gladness. That is why we want to know the Lord. That is why we will enter into His gates with Thanksgiving and praise. Why? For the Lord is good His mercy and truth endures to all generations. Do we deserve it?  No we don't! Oh but it’s the Lord and He is Mercyful and truthful. We should shout and praise His Holy Name for there is no other like our God!

⛈️ Aren’t You Glad🥳

 ⛈️

☔️Aren’t You Glad🥳

Psalms 100:4 (KJV) Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Being thankful is a powerful, life-altering habit that turns what we have into enough and attracts more of an overflowing quantity. Were you not thankful when your eyes opened this morning? 

Making a Joyful noise unto the Lord.

Serving the Lord with Gladness.

Knowing that the Lord He is God.

Wow, those are wonderful without doubt but look at verse 4 

• We get to “Enter.” 

When I read that word “Enter” my first thought was when Jesus said this to His disciples. 

John 14:2 (KJV) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

• Enter where “into his gates”  

Everyone is not looking forward to entering into His Gates.  Mainly because they don’t know about His Gates. 

• Gates have two purposes. 

One is to let in, the second is to keep out. We all can enter through those gates. The Bible is plain about that.

John 3:15 (KJV) That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:16 (KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:17 (KJV) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 3:18 (KJV) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God..

2 Peter 3:9 (KJV) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Luke 19:10 (KJV) For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

It’s not complicated, that's why it’s called the “simple way of salvation.” 

• Do you know what type of people are going to enter through those gates? 

Those who have stolen, cheated, lied, murdered, raped and done all kinds of evil and wrong deeds. 

• Do you know what type of people are going to enter through the gates of hell? 

Those who have stolen, cheated, lied, murdered, raped and done all kinds of evil and wrong deeds. How can that be? One only has to read about the thieves in the latter part in the book of Luke chapter 23. When you read that you will see that they are both called thieves and they are getting what they both deserve. We read of one being promised he was going to paradise the other we read nothing about him going to paradise. What makes the difference? Christ Jesus! That is why we enter His gates with “thanksgiving. ” That is why we enter “his courts with praise.” That is why we are “thankful unto him.” That is why we “bless his name.”

If you pay attention you will see that the pronoun “his” has been mentioned 8 times in five verses. Try your best and you will find that your best will fall way short. So how do we as sinners get to go though those Gates? Just like that thief did, trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior. There is nothing you and I can do, that is why Jesus came, just for us! A bunch of thieves, cheaters, lyres, murderers, rapists and those who have done awful and evil deeds. Aren’t you glad?