“There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
     Proverbs 18:24

Few people are insensible to the happiness of
friendship, though few, comparatively, possess
a real friend. Worldly friendships are often little
better than “confederacies in vice, and leagues
in pleasure.”

In the midst of this ever changing, faithless world,
there is a Friend that loves at all times—a Brother
that is born for adversity.

Jesus is His precious name.

Love is His endeared character.

His faithfulness never fails.

He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

In the midst of disquietude—He can give rest.

In the midst of sorrow—He can give comfort.

In the midst of weakness—He can impart strength.

In the midst of confusion—He can give counsel.

Oh! what a friend is this!

Wherever we are, He is a friend at hand to cheer
and support. When we read His word, He speaks to
us—when we pray, we speak to Him. He is near to
those who fear Him, and He sheds His choicest gifts
on those who love Him.

Such a friend is Jesus to His redeemed people.

There is no happiness but in Christ.

He is the fountain of living water—the source
from where our every blessing flows!

O! my soul, never look for peace from the creature
—nor expect it from yourself.

–By Thomas Reade, 1837

And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
—Romans 12:2

A recent survey revealed that America’s youth now spend, on average, over seven-and-a-half hours each day involved in electronic media. And that number doesn’t include the amount of time spent texting or talking on cell phones. The problem is that a lot of that time spent in front of media screens will influence them in the wrong way.

The Bible tells us to fill our minds with the things of God. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world.” . . . Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould.— The word “conformed” refers to the act of assuming an outward appearance that does not accurately reflect that which is within. Of course, we all just want to fit in. We don’t want to be thought of as dorks, nerds, fools, or idiots. We don’t want to be classified as uncool. So we will do things that we think others want us to do. But let’s not try to appear to be of this world when we are not.

By “this world,” Romans 12:2 means a culture, a mentality, a way of thinking that is largely hostile to God. As 1 John 2:16 tells us, “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.”

Remember, God’s will is better than our own. His will is good and acceptable and perfect.–By Greg Laurie

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”–Colossians 2:8-9

Author A.W. Tozer once said, “We have gotten accustomed to the blurred puffs of gray fog that pass for doctrine in churches and expect nothing better. From some previously unimpeachable sources are now coming vague statements consisting of a milky admixture of Scripture, science, and human sentiment that is true to none of its ingredients because each one works to cancel the others out. Little by little Christians these days are being brainwashed. One evidence is that increasing numbers of them are becoming ashamed to be found unequivocally on the side of truth. They say they believe, but their beliefs have been so diluted as to be impossible of clear definition. Moral power has always accompanied definite beliefs. Great saints have always been dogmatic. We need a return to a gentle dogmatism that smiles while it stands stubborn and firm on the Word of God that lives and abides forever.”

Sadly, many times well-meaning Christians can be so eager for truth, they look in the wrong places for that truth. Many “faiths” abound in our world, and although some would even call themselves “Christian”, their beliefs do not line up with what the Bible teaches.—– let’s look at a few— teachings that can hurt Christians.

The philosophy of pluralism. Pluralism is a popular belief system of many people in our world. They say it’s fine for you to believe what you want, as long as you don’t segregate the different beliefs of others. Basically, no one way to heaven or spiritual enlightenment is correct; all roads lead to the same destination.

Just as silly as it’d be to claim that a motorist can take any California freeway they choose and expect to end up in Los Angeles, so the idea of all religions leading to the same destination is false. Jesus says very plainly in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” There is no other way to heaven except through Christ.

The philosophy of polytheism. Some people will accept Christianity as their faith, yet still hold onto other faiths and beliefs. They don’t believe in one faith, but embrace all faiths and trust that their multiple faiths will grant them passage to Heaven.

God doesn’t want to be added to your collection of faiths. He wants you to trust Him alone for salvation. As He says in Isaiah 43:10, “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.” God is the only way to Heaven, and to accept His salvation, you must leave behind all other beliefs and solely trust in Christ.

The philosophy of humanism. Sadly, many people in our world believe the lie of humanism—the belief that man is the supreme being of nature. These people believe they are their own god.

God teaches us in Romans 1:21–22, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” Many people look only to themselves for salvation.

Don’t be fooled by the philosophies of the world. Jesus is the only way to Heaven, and He will not share His glory with other gods. While our world preaches tolerance and acceptance, stand strong in your faith. Remember, if you aren’t sure about a teaching, research it in the Bible. If it’s not in the Bible, it’s not from God.–Dr. Paul Chappell

“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”

Deuteronomy 6:6–9

Great orator and teacher Daniel Webster once said, “If we work on marble it will perish. If we work on brass, time will efface it. If we rear temples, they will crumble to dust. But if we work on men’s immortal minds, if we imbue them with high principles, with just fear of God and love of their fellow-men, we engrave on those tablets something which time cannot efface, and which will brighten and brighten to all eternity.”

It is true that many things we do here on earth will one day pass away. All time we invested in work, hobbies, and leisure will be wasted at the end of time. But teaching others of God’s Word and sharing Christ’s love with them will last all eternity.

One of the main environments in which we can teach others is in our homes. God desires that we would take time to teacher, exhort, and encourage our children with the commands and statutes of God. Notice our verse, “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (vs 7).

God wants us to teach our children the principles of His Word. He wants us to take time to teach them what it means not to lie, how to treat other people, what things we should and shouldn’t do, and other godly, basic principles of His Word. The church shouldn’t be the main institution of learning godly principles for your children; God established the home for training and learning.

Many times Christian parents fail to teach their children godly principles because they are simply too busy with other tasks. They labor all day at work, come home to prepare dinner, then want nothing more than to relax, read a book, watch a sports game, or spend time working on a hobby. While there is nothing wrong with relaxing, God desires that we would dedicate time to train our children—

How are you teaching and nurturing your children? Do you spend quality time with them, teaching them principles from God’s Word? One of the ways you can keep God at the forefront of your life is by taking time to teach godly principles to your children.(By Dr. Paul Chappell)