TOPIC: YOUR CIRCLE MATTERS
MEMORISE: As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17
BIBLE READING: 1 SAMUEL 20:1-4 (KJV)
1 And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?
2 And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.
3 And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.
4 Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.
MESSAGE:
I once heard a motivational speaker say, “The quality of your life within the next five years will be influenced by the five persons closest to you.” Those words stayed with me, so I did some research and realised that what he said was true. That is why the Bible warns us in 1 Corinthians 15:33 that evil communications corrupt good manners.
The people you associate with have the power to influence your thoughts, actions, and faith in God. If you spend time with people who encourage bad behaviour or don’t respect God’s ways, they may influence you negatively. The people you hang out with can shape your future; therefore, only make friends with those who will bring positive things into your life and can correct you when you make mistakes.
My dear child, remember that you don’t have to fit in with everyone. Join associations that will stir you up in revival, encourage you to be closer to God and seek His purpose for your life, support your good dreams, and hold you accountable to live with integrity. I pray that the Almighty God will guide you in choosing your friends, in Jesus’ name.
KEY POINT: Keep godly friends.
HYMN 12: LEAD US HEAVENLY FATHER LEAD US
1 Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
o’er the world’s tempestuous sea;
guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us,
for we have no help but thee;
yet possessing every blessing,
if our God our Father be.
2 Saviour, breathe forgiveness o’er us:
all our weakness thou dost know;
thou didst tread this earth before us,
thou didst feel its keenest woe;
lone and dreary, faint and weary,
through the desert thou didst go.
3 Spirit of our God, descending,
fill our hearts with heavenly joy,
love with every passion blending,
pleasure that can never cloy:
thus provided, pardoned, guided,
nothing can our peace destroy.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: MARK 14:1-25, DEUTERONOMY 17-19
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye