Proverbs 12:24-28 Encouragement from God!

The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy man will be put to forced labor. Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad. The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray. The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but diligence is man’s precious possession. In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death. Proverbs 12:24-28

Good word makes it glad.

Good: an agreeable, pleasant to the higher nature

Word: saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse

Glad: cheer up, make joyful, be make merry

Choose his friends carefully.

Friend: companion, an associate, neighbor

Choose: the righteous searches out, and is a guide to, his friend

I think Proverbs 12:25 and 26 go hand in hand. A good word makes us glad; choose friends carefully. Friends are usually the ones that have a good word for us! It's important to have godly friends to help put things in perspective. 

Good, agreeable—but not just a word to make one feel good, or what a person "wants" to hear. Rather, this "good" is from the perspective of "higher nature", think of it as "encouragement from God." Now how cool is that? That you can be used to share encouragement from God! Now that is an awesome responsibility and privilege. 

As I look back, I can't say that "I chose my friends." Rather, God in His gracious and unique ways introduced me to people who became my friends. I'm so very thankful for those people in my life who encourage, sharpen, and help keep me thinking godly. 

If I want to share encouragement from God, and be a godly friend to others, my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). For when I am fearing and respecting and loving God, I can then, be used share encouragement from God! 

My Very Heart

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all.

I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—

and God took care of each and every one! 

______________________________________________

This post is the continuation of my study of Philemon.   

I am sending him back to you in his own person, [and it is like sending] my very heart. Philemon 1:12 (AMP)

"My very heart"

As I read this verse, I took a moment to think about what would make Onesimus, a servant who was unprofitable to one, become so dear to Paul. 

First and foremost, Onesimus trusted in Christ after he left Philemon. So now Onesimus was a changed man. As a believer in Christ, Onesimus' actions reflected his new relationship with Christ. 

Secondly, I think that Onesimus was learning and growing under Paul's teaching. For learning how to "put on" the godly characteristics from Colossians 3, Onesimus then was reflecting Christ in his actions and attitude. 

And lastly, Onesimus had become and encourager and blessing to Paul. 

"My very heart"

A relationship based on the bond of Jesus Christ between two Christians. That is second only to a personal relationship to Christ. 

First and foremost, my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), so that my relationship with Christ can have an impact in my relationship with others—so that the bond is deep—"my very heart". 

Rock-solid Friendships

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 16. Here is what I learned.

The beauty of faith-filled people encompasses me. They are true, and my heart is thrilled beyond measure. Psalm 16:3 (VOICE)

As for the godly (the saints) who are in the land, they are the excellent, the noble, and the glorious, in whom is all my delight. Psalm 16:3 (AMP)

And these God-chosen lives all around— what splendid friends they make! Psalm 16:3 (MSG)

This verse is probably to be regarded as a further statement of the evidence of the attachment of the psalmist to God. In the previous verse, according to the interpretation proposed, he states that his happiness - his all was centered in God. He had no hope of anything except in him; none beyond him; none besides him.

In this verse he states, as a further proof of his attachment to him, that he regarded with deep affection the saints of God; that he found his happiness, not in the society of the wicked, but in the friendship of the excellent of the earth. The verse may be thus rendered: "As to the saints in the earth (or in respect to the saints in the earth), and to the excellent, all my delight is in them." In the former verse he had stated that, as to God, or in respect to God, he had no source of blessing, no hope, no joy, beyond him, or independent of him; in this verse he says that in respect to the saints - the excellent of the earth - all his delight was in them. Thus he was conscious of true attachment to God and to his people. Thus he had what must ever be essentially the evidence of true piety - a feeling that God is all in all, and real love for those who are his; a feeling that there is nothing beyond God, or without God, that can meet the wants of the soul, and a sincere affection for all who are his friends on earth. Barnes' Notes on the Bible

It would seem logical, that if I enjoy God’s company, that I’d enjoy the company of those who love God. I think of my friends, we may not have a lot of common interests, but the one thing we do have in common is our love for God. That single bond is greater and stronger than liking the same sports team, or liking the same hobby. For loving God is the foundation for life and sets the standards for living. 

True friendship is grounded in each individuals love for God. The more each person loves God and aims to accomplish God’s will, the friendship is stronger and more enjoyable. 

To create a positive day, I first must make sure my relationship with God is right and strong, then I can enjoy rock-solid friendships that have God as the foundation. 

Grace. Love. Friendship.

Grace. Love. Friendship.

Add some adjectives to describe those nouns: AMAZING, EXTRAVAGANT, INTIMATE. That makes them even more special.

But now look at the SOURCES: Jesus Christ, God, and the Holy Spirit.

Now realize that EACH of us has those in our possession each and every day... WOW! 

"The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you."

2 Corinthians 13:14 (MSG)

How will knowing that I have amazing grace, extravagant love and intimate friendship with Jesus Christ, God the Father and the Holy Spirit, impact me today....and everyday..?

If I really want to create a positive day, I need to realize that I have these 3 gifts (grace, love, friendship) from Jesus Christ, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. 

Friends

This was my devotional email tonight from Meet me in the Meadow by Roy Lessin, (DaySpring). As I read it, my heart overflowed with thanks to God for His gift of Christian Friends.

Here are some very special thoughts written by Pastor Howie Moss that share the meaning a Christian friendship can bring into your life.

F – Faithful – as a friend, you model faithfulness to our Lord and to me. For this I am blessed.

R – Responsible – as a friend, you hold yourself responsible to our relationship and in so doing held me responsible to our Lord.

I – Insightful – as a friend, you provide a perspective on life that I otherwise would have never been aware of.  By this you have opened my eyes to see our Lord’s nature in many wondrous ways.

E – Enjoyable – as a friend, you make the journey of this life so much more enjoyable.  The laughter and simplicity of friendship you bring to my life has given me a heart that can smile, even in the midst of difficulty.

N – Natural – as a friend, you strongly influence me to understand the worth of just being who I am…The importance of being who and what God created me to be and not what man expects me to be.

D – Desirable – as a friend, you continuously point me to the Cross.  Challenging me to compare myself, not to others, but to the Cross.  This has put a fire of desire in me to live for Jesus, love like Jesus, learn from Jesus, and lean on Jesus. Thus, your friendship to me is very desirable because it brings me closer to our Lord.

A Christian Friend is great at helping you turn from negative to positive! A friend's kind word, a hearty laugh, or even a look can help you change your attitude from "poor me" to "I'm RICH!". And it goes both ways! As you create your positive day, you encourage your friend!

Take a moment and let your Friends
know what they mean to you.

It's only ONE aspect of my life!

In October 2000, I injured my back. 7 back surgeries have left me with "failed back surgery syndrome"; a name doctors created when there was nothing more than can do. Due to nerve and muscle damage in my back and left leg, I use crutches. My friends have learned we eat at restaurants with high tables so I can stand (sitting is very painful after just 10 or 15 minutes).
The other day a friend took me out to run some errands. We stopped to enjoyed lunch. During our conversation, my friend said something that stuck with me. "Pain in only one aspect of you. There is more to you and our friendship besides your pain. Yes, it's there, and I'm aware of it, but we don't focus on it."
I am more than "just my pain". When I think about that phrase I realize how true it is. Yes, my day and what I do is determined by my pain, but the pain is not all of me. There are many aspects of my life that my pain doesn't need to impact. I can still care about someone. I can still encourage someone. I can be creative. I can carry on conversations about any topic that I find interesting. I can still learn. The list continues.
I am more than just my pain. There is more to me. Yet, it is up to me if I allow other so see more than just pain. That doesn't mean I do things I can't. It simply means that I don't make my pain the most important aspect of my life. I have a choice.
I don't want people to know only my pain. I want them to know about me, the person. I want them to know that my favorite color is green. I enjoy drinks with a lot of ice. I love snowcones anytime I can get one! I want them to know about Max and all the funny things he does. I want them to know I enjoy laughing and a good mystery.
Pain is only one aspect of me!

Creating a positive day is remembering that pain is only one aspect of my life. If I focus only on my pain, I rob myself of the joys and blessings God provides.