SWEET
COMMUNION
BREAD
24 And
let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting
together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one
another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
12 See to
it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away
from the living God. 13 But
encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you
may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Hebrews
3:12-13 (NIV)
17 As
iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)
2 We
sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the
gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be
unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 (NIV)
11 Therefore
encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1
Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)
19 I hope
in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when
I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine
interest in your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not
those of Jesus Christ. 22 But
you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he
has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him
as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come
soon. 25 But I
think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow
worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take
care of my needs. 26 For he
longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost
died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me
sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore
I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be
glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men
like him, 30 because
he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help
you could not give me. Philippians
2:19-30 (NIV)
20 He who
walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)
16 All
Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and
training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every
good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
17 A
friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)
24 A man
of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer
than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)
6 Wounds
from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. Proverbs 27:6 (NIV)
10 Do not
forsake your friend and the friend of your father. Proverbs 27:10 (NIV)
14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no
longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's
business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned
from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:14-15 (NIV)
BUTTER
“When sin penetrated the hearts of Adam and
Eve, they not only became alienated from God, but they also became alienated
from each other. When Jesus died on the Cross, He made it possible for all who
believe in Him to be in fellowship with God—and also in godly fellowship with
one another. Godly
friendships are the evidence of our belonging to the Lord Jesus Christ. But godly
friendships are not found; they are made. They are built up stone by stone.
They are established on biblical principles.”
Michael Youssef
“The
main business of friendship is to sustain and make bearable each other’s
burdens.” Eugene
Kennedy
“We are the
occupant of His time, the focus of His planning, and the recipient of His
companionship.”
Michael
Youssef
“What
can be deeper than His Presence and constant care? In a world in which multitudes feel isolated
and alienated, we have the permanent companionship of the most loving and
powerful Being in the universe. Nothing
could be more important and life shaping than that. Whatever difficulty we go through, He
nevertheless holds us by the hand.” Chris Tiegreen
“Be
occupied with acquainting yourself with My character and My person. Revel in My fellowship. Your very association with Me, if
sufficiently consistent, will bring about changes in your personality that will
surprise you when discovered, just as you have so often experienced the joy of
finding a new bloom on a cherished plant.
Turn your face toward Me, and leave to Me the responsibility of probing
your soul. I am the Master Surgeon. I am skilled in all the cures of the soul as
well as those of the body. Let Me care
for your health. Delight yourself in Me,
and I will bring about what you desire to see in your character and
personality. Feed upon My Word. It is there you will come to a clearer
understanding of my Person. Only as you
know Me can you come to be more like Me.
In association with others, people take to themselves a measure of the
mannerisms and ideologies of these other persons. So will it be for those who spend much time
in My company. Silently, and without
conscious effort, you will be changed.”
Frances J. Roberts
“The
enjoyment of God is the only happiness with which our souls can be
satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to
enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations
here. Fathers and mothers, husbands,
wives, or children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows, but God
is the substance. These are but
scattered beams, but God is the sun.
These are but streams. But God is
the ocean.” Jonathan Edwards
“They do not go wrong who go in the company of God. Like Enoch, walk with God, and you cannot
mistake your road. You have infallible
wisdom to direct you, immutable love to comfort you, and eternal power to
defend you. ‘The LORD’ – note the word –
‘The LORD will guide you always.”
Charles H. Spurgeon
HEART SAVOR
· Communion with the saints is a mere taste of heaven on earth – we should
never neglect such a great enjoyment and beneficial pleasure.
·
My Jesus is
a Friend Who sticks closer than a brother.
·
True and
valued friends can be trusted in telling us hard things.
