DEFINE WHO IS YOUR FRIEND.

 ANCHOR OF LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE For SUNDAY, 12TH MARCH, 2023.

Author: PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

Anchor of Life & Redemption Ministry Int’l

Topic: DEFINE WHO IS YOUR FRIEND.

MEMORIZE: "Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate." Psalm 34:21.

SCRIPTURE READING: Mt 26:50 

“And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.” 

EXPOSITION:

In the Old Testament two words, variously translated "friend" or "companion": re‛eh, indicating a mere associate, passing friend, neighbor, or companion; 'ahabh, indicating affection natural or unnatural. In the New Testament also two words: hetaı́ros , "a comrade," or "fellow," and phı́los , suggesting a more affectionate relation. A friend is a close associate, whom you trust and can easily discuss your issue of life with.

A friend should be a tested and trusted fellow. Someone we should be able commit our lives unto. But not all friends are true friends. There are traitors and there are friends like siblings. “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24. Judas Iscariot was an example of a wicked friend. Jesus called him to be his disciple; made him his team’s treasurer. He cautioned him when he was going astray. He tried to save him but he would not heed warning. Finally, in the garden of Gethsemane, as he led the multitude to arrest him Master, Jesus called him, friend: “And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come?” Mt 26:50. That Jesus called him friend, not an enemy, was a signal of who he should be. Jesus even gave him several warning to help him retrace his steps back to God, but he ignored them all. At the end, he betrayed his master and he too committed suicide. 

Jonadab was a wrong friend to Amnon, the crown prince of David. He misled him unto raping his half sister. At the end, Amnon was murdered – 2 Samuel 13-15. But Jonathan was a good friend to David. He rescued him from death and also defended him before him father, King Saul – 1 Samuel 18:1ff. He is an example of  friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24.

Who are you? Who are you friends? Who are you associating yourself with? Are your friends helping you growing in the Lord or are they luring you away from His presence? In relation to your friends, will you be called friend of God like Abraham or the other friend like Judas. God is watching you. He will judge righteously. He will bless the good friend and reward the wicked according to their wickedness – "Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate." Psalm 34:21. Examine yourself and be watchful so that you do not to end up in woes.

PRAYER POINT: Lord, help me to see right as choose right friends who will help me grow in your love.

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Judges 16-18.

********************************

ANCHOR OF LIFE is the daily devotional guide of ANCHOR OF LIFE & REDEMPTION MINISTRY (ALRM), written by PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE. It is an extraction of God’s word designed to draw the sincere seekers closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word.

Please share this message on all platform and let’s join hands together in proclaiming the kingdom of God. God bless you greatly in Jesus name. 

For special Seed Donation towards furtherance of spreading the word of God, kindly send to:  Ayorinde Samuel B.

Acct. No: 3014996967;  First Bank of Nigeria (FBN.

Acct. No: 0171946337; Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB)

For prayers, Counseling and further enquiries, call or whatsapp +2347032993319; +2348056130469. Or Email: anchoroflifeministry@gmail.com 

For more of our Daily Devotional Messages, visit our website: http://www.anchoroflifeintl.blogspot.com