“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Prov. 13:20 ESV)

It’s truly wonderful to have good friends!

It’s fun to visit with them and talk about things you have in common that you both care about. If you’re down, they can encourage you. If they’re down, you encourage them. It’s a mutual exchange. True friends are the ones you can count on when you need some help. If your car breaks down, you can call them, and they will be there. And if you face a tragedy such as death in your family, they’re the first to show up to be with you. Friends have the power to negatively or positively change your life. That’s why it’s important to select good ones!

When I was a youth director many years ago, there was a nice young man who used to come to our events. He was enthusiastic, happy, and full of life. We always loved having him around, and everyone loved him. But one summer, he fell into a group of young men who were full of mischief. They started taking him to parties, where he discovered liquor and the lifestyle that goes with it. They mocked God, the Bible, and his earlier faith. Soon, we didn’t see him anymore. When we called to invite him, he didn’t come. He continued to go downhill, and if one of our group saw him, they said he was not the same person. He avoided all his old friends and only hung out with his new ones. One day, we heard the awful news that he had committed suicide. This is the power of bad (negative) friendships and where they can lead! They will entangle you in a snare.

“Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.” (Prov. 22:24-25 ESV)

The Bible has a lot to say about good and bad friendships, here are are a few passages about the pros and cons of good and bad friendships.

Bad friends spread strife

“A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.” (Prov.16:28 ESV)

Bad friends aren’t faithful

“Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.” (Psalm 41:9 ESV)

Good friends encourage each other to love and do good works

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Heb. 10:24-25 ESV)

Good Friends use their gifts to serve one another

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10 ESV)

“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.” (Prov. 11:25-26 ESV)

I really love the above promise because it’s a win-win for everybody. When you bless others, you get enriched in return. Some people call it the law of reciprocity—those you do something nice to will be predisposed to do something nice for you in return. Another passage puts it this way: you reap what you sow (Gal. 6:7).

The big success secret

One of my favorite conference speakers was the late great Zig Ziglar. He was fun to listen to. He was animated, enthusiastic, and passionate about everything he spoke about. He said the big secret to becoming successful at anything you do is to do everything you can to make others successful. He said that if you did this, you would automatically become successful as a result. It is the biblical principle of sowing and reaping at work; you always get yourself exactly what you do to others. He was so right! The verse below makes it clear with the command:

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Phil. 2:3-4 ESV)

Do to others what you wish they would do to you

The following verse tells you exactly what to do in a clear and concise manner. Just think what the world would be like if everyone did this.

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt. 7:12 ESV) 

Do as God would do

There was a bracelet that Christians used to wear with the initials WWJD to remind them: What would Jesus do? And they were to apply that question to everything they did. Basically, we are to imitate God as beloved children in the same way children normally imitate their parents. It’s as simple as that. And, yes, it would make a big difference in a lot of things we do. 

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” (Eph. 5:1 ESV)

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14)

Jesus said a lot of things would happen before He returned. One of the final things is that the gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world just before His return. In today's world, we have so many more tools at our disposal that we can use to do this. For instance, you read repeatedly about people who have millions of followers on social media, but it is usually for other things rather than promoting Christ. But it could easily be used to promote the gospel. Even though most don't have millions following them, most have a pretty good number of family and friends. Plus, there are all the other forms of sharing information—some old, some new—such as letter writing, phone calls, texting, email, or just plain speaking to people you come in contact with. We all can work in some way or other to promote the gospel and be a part of Jesus’s command to go and share it with everyone.

“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark. 15:16 ESV)

How will they know without someone preaching?

You may be the only connection through which some people you know will hear the gospel. They may not attend church or have born-again friends, so you may be the one God wishes to use to reach them with the good news. Don’t neglect sharing with them, it may even be God’s assignment for you.

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Rom. 10:14 ESV)

And Jesus is with you

 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:19:20 ESV)

The Holy Spirit will give you power to be witnesses to the end of the earth

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 ESV)

You can say, “Here I am! Send me”

“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” (Isa. 6:8 ESV)

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess. 5:23 NIV)

Even though I work to post different promise topics daily, there are some that bear repeating because they are life changing. And I have new people coming on, and I want them to understand and apply them, too. Also, some things are to be repeated as reminders, so they become established. The apostle Peter said this: “Therefore, I will always remind you about these things—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live.  (2 Peter 1:12-13 NLT). Understanding that we have three parts made up of spirit, soul, and body is one of those life-changers. 

We are three parts

According to the above passage we are made up of three distinct parts, spirit, soul and body.

• 1.     Spirit: You cannot see or feel this part of yourself. Like God, it is invisible. Inside each one of us is our own spirit which is the part of us that gets transformed when we become "born again". Jesus explained this truth to Nicodemus in John 3:1-12.

Made brand new and perfect!

You become a new creatures by Jesus, (2 Cor. 5:17), your spirit becomes instantly brand new and perfect, (1 John 4:17, 1 Cor. 6:17, Eph. 4:24)

“But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.” (Job 32:8 ESV) 

“And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” (Eccles. 12:7 ESV) 

“For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” (1 Cor. 2:11 ESV)

“But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (Rom. 8:10 ESV)

• 2.     Soul: The seat of your thoughts, affections, and reasonings.

Your mind is not transformed instantly as your spirit is, when you receive Christ. You must continually work daily to bring your thinking into alignment with God's Word, which is a lifelong process (Phil 1:6). This continual process "renews your mind" and enables you to "prove (demonstrate) what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

“For as he thinks within himself, so he is.” (Prov. 23:7a NASB)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Rom. 12:2 NKJV)

This process, or lack of it, explains why some born again Christians continue to struggle with fear, sin, and addictions, even though they are actually redeemed. The better you get at "transforming your mind" and bringing it into agreement with God's Word, the more victorious you will be in life and as a Christian.

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deut. 6:5 NASB)

• 3.     Body: Your physical self. Your body, the third part of you is the easiest part to understand because you can see and feel your human body. If I ask you how you feel you can easily know and tell me. If I ask you if you are cold or warm, you can easily answer.

This part of you, (your body) is not transformed when you become a Christian. If you are fat, skinny, tall, young, or old, when you are born again, you will be that way afterwords. The Bible calls your body "the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19), and also only temporary as in "jars of clay" (2 Cor. 4:7). We are told to take care of our bodies and someday they will die and our spirits will leave them (2 Cor. 5:6).

There will eventually come a day at the appearing of Jesus that our bodies, too, will be transformed and we will then have brand new transformed ones, (2 Cor. 5:3).

Therefore 

The Bible says, "as long as we are in this earthly tent" (your body), you must work to do everything you can do to serve God faithfully until He returns, (Heb. 3:14-18).

You must study your Bible to discover God's truths (2 Tim. 2:15) and apply them to your thinking to transform your mind (Rom. 12:2).

You must pray for and about things (spirit), (1 Thes. 5:16-18).

God will do it!

And, finally, the next verse following today's promise about your spirit, soul, and body says that God Himself, will make it happen for you. “He will do it”, because He is “faithful!”

“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." (1 Thes. 5:24 NIV)

And, that too, is an amazing and wonderful promise!

“Never be lazy in your work but serve the Lord enthusiastically” (Rom. 12:11)

When I was a child, I often heard myself described as enthusiastic. I suppose that was because I usually threw myself into every task I had to do cheerfully. This was true even concerning things I disliked doing; I just dove into each task with energy and a smile until it was completed. As I grew older, I noticed I was generally happier than others who weren’t enthusiastic about things. Enthusiastic workers not only seemed happier, but they usually got things done faster and better. I found that a good attitude, driven by enthusiasm, was a winning combination.

This helped me a lot as I grew up

I was never without a job, and I never had to look for one; people usually asked me to work for them. Often, it was because I had noticed that something needed to be done, and I just jumped into action enthusiastically without being asked. On our honeymoon, for instance, Susan and I stopped at a music store somewhere in California. It was a madhouse—full of people—and there was only one worker to help people with what they needed, and he also had to check them out at the register. I noticed a mother and her young son looking at the guitars on the racks but not knowing what to get. I walked over and asked a few questions and then picked out a guitar for them that was perfect according to his size, skill level, and at the right price the mother could afford—they went to the counter and purchased the guitar. I then helped someone else find the right kind of guitar strings they needed. And then I helped someone else find something else, and I continued to help people until all had been served. The man at the register said, “Who are you, and do you want a job?” I laughed and told him I was on my honeymoon, just passing through, and I was just glad to help. This is the power of enthusiasm!

What is enthusiasm?

The word enthusiasm is an interesting word. When you look it up in the dictionary, it defines enthusiasm as “a strong excitement of feeling, an energetic interest in a particular subject or activity, and an eagerness to be involved in it.” Some synonyms are eagerness, excitement, fervor, zest, and zeal. And this describes how I normally try to behave. But this kind of natural enthusiasm, as helpful as it is, isn’t as powerful as the original Greek definition, which has to do with passion for God rather than passionate or eager interest in general. The Greek word for enthusiasm is éntheos, which literally means “having God within you.” By the beginning of the 18th century, however, the word began to be used to describe having strong feelings or an interest in secular matters. Too bad!

Why does it matter?

The true meaning of the word enthusiasm, literally meaning “Having God within you” is wonderful and powerful and will make a huge difference in everything you do in life when applied. Simply put, applied enthusiasm empowers you to achieve what God has placed you on earth to do! Now that’s good news! If you want to be successful, be enthusiastic for God!

Therefore

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” (Col. 3:23 KJV)

“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4 NIV)

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess 5:16-18 ESV)

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” (Psalms 127:3-5 ESV)

Many years ago, I spoke with a newly married couple about their plans for the future. They told me they were deeply concerned about global threats as well as the other scary things looming on the horizon. Therefore, they had made a decision not to have children because they couldn’t bare subjecting them to such a terrible and scary future. That’s been over 50 years ago now, and yes, many threats have come and gone, and they are alone with no heirs. All because of fear!

it’s no accident!

Don’t worry or fear for your children/grandchildren because the world they are facing is evil, scary, destructive, or even anti-God! The age they were born in is no accident and is part of God’s divine plan for the time He has placed them in (see Acts 17:26).

Planned by God

Throughout history God has created and called people to live in the exact moment in time they were in. Their lives weren’t a coincidence or an accident. Each were placed in the time that they were in because of God’s sovereign plan.

Examples throughout the Bible

·      He created Daniel to handle the lions den.

·      He created Moses to handle Pharaoh.

·      He created the three Hebrew children to handle the fiery furnace.

·      He created Joseph to handle being sold into slavery.

·      He created David to handle Goliath.

·      He created Esther to handle Haman.

It’s still true today!

He knows that your offspring can handle whatever challenges they will face in their lives, and He has created them specifically for it!

Don’t be frightened

Be happy that God chose you to parent their generation who may be facing some huge challenges in the future that will certainly come their way.

Rise up to the challenge and prepare them!

1.     Teach them to remain hopeful and not to be fearful and disheartened by the state of the world.

2.     Train them up in the authority of God’s Word.

3.     Train them to understand that God will help them do something about whatever they are faced with.

4.     Teach them to walk by faith, moment by moment, in God's power, knowing that He is in control.

Therefore

Don’t let your fears steal the greatness God has placed within your children. Work hard to raise Daniels, Davids, Esthers, and Josephs to become strong soldiers for Him! He's raising up an army to drive back the darkness and make Himself known throughout the earth. Even though it may be difficult to imagine your children as anything besides little ones that you need to protect from anything that could be hard on them, they were born for such a time as this! (see Esther 4:13-14).

Trust God about that!

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Eph. 3:20 BLT)

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12 NIV)

 Many years ago, when I was very young and just starting out in full-time ministry, my mentor, Dr. Al Metsker, Executive Director of Kansas City Youth For Christ, told me, “The Word of God does the work of God!” He went on to explain that it must be the foundation of any ministry that will succeed to do God’s work. He was right! The Bible said, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” (2 Tim. 4:2). And Jesus said it like this: “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4 KJV).

 Therefore

 “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” (1 Peter 1:23 ESV)

 “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isa. 55:10-11)

“And I will still be carrying you when you are old. Your hair will turn gray, and I will still carry you. I made you, and I will carry you to safety.” (Isa. 46:4)

My children made me promise I’d retire at age 75. I really hadn’t planned on retiring; it was still a few years away. But I agreed because they seemed so concerned about my future, and it made them happy when I said, "Yes." Actually, the reason why I hadn’t given much thought to retiring is that I loved the company I had formed so many years earlier, as well as my employees, my customers, and even the industry we were a part of. And I was shocked at how fast the years flew by, but when the day arrived, I kept my word as promised. Afterwards, however, I felt like I still had vision, energy, and lots of things I still wanted to do. So, I started a new company and also started a non-profit Christian ministry to serve the industry I had just come out of. Yes, I had promised my children I would retire from my current company, and I did. But I never promised not to start something new afterwards, so I did. And now, I’m busy again, and I'm feeling productive and wonderful. 

And Another thing about retiring

I can’t find anywhere in the Bible where we are told to retire when old. In fact, just the opposite: God’s people continued to do His will even into old age. Moses and Aaron did most of their work leading the Hebrew children out of bondage to the promised land well into their 80's, and Moses remained healthy and active for God until age 120 (see Deut. 34:7).

“Exodus 7:6-9 “So Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded them. Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron was eighty-three when they made their demands to Pharaoh. Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Pharaoh will demand, ‘Show me a miracle.’ When he does this, say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down in front of Pharaoh, and it will become a serpent.” (Exo. 7:6-9)

Therefore

Even in old age you can still flourish and produce fruit.  

“But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted to the LORD’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. They will declare, “The LORD is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him!” (Psalms 92:12-14)

“Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old.” (Job 12:12)

“Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is obtained by following a righteous path.” (Prov. 16:31)

“I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.’” (Job 32:7)

A prayer for the aged

“Now that I am old and my hair is gray, don’t leave me, God. I must tell the next generation about your power and greatness. God, your goodness reaches far above the skies. You have done wonderful things. God, there is no one like you.” (Psalms 71:18-19)

“Letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” (Rom, 8:6 NLT)

Have you ever noticed that your mind seems to have a will of its own and doesn’t always do what you want it to? You sometimes find yourself thinking in strange places. For example, when you want to pray your thoughts often stray. When you want to study God’s Word, your thoughts wander. When that happens, you need to use both the Holy Spirit and God’s Word to help you get your mind under control. Here’s how.

First: Let the Spirit control your mind  

If you try to control wrongful or wandering thoughts with your own power, you will fail because your sinful nature is a powerful hard-to-resist inner force that will continue to fight you. As a born-again Christian, however, you have a powerful advantage to help you do what’s humanly impossible. You have God’s Holy Spirit within you to give you power to recognize wrong thoughts, capture them, and bring them under the control and into obedience to Christ!  

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5 NIV)

Second, obey and trust the Word of God

Not only do you have the Holy Spirit to control your thoughts, knowing, obeying and applying the Word of God will enable you to know the truth and will set you free!

Jesus says, “If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32 GNT).

The above passage has two parts

The first part says, “If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples”. And the second part says, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” The second part of this verse is quoted by many people and groups everywhere, and it’s often printed on the buildings of major universities. But you rarely, if ever, see the first part of the verse quoted where it says you have to learn and obey God’s Word. Unfortunately, people want freedom without God’s truth. But the fact is there is no freedom without truth. And there is no truth without God’s Word!

Therefore

Using the power of the Holy Spirit within you, along with knowing, applying, and obeying God’s Word, as well as filling your mind with his truth, the easier it will be to direct your thoughts where you want them to go. This will please God and will lead to life and peace (Rom. 8:6).  

“The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Gal. 6:8)