JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is to build healthy friendships.

One of the strong friendships that can be found in the Bible is between Jonathan and David.

First Samuel 18:3 says that Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

This language is similar to the second greatest commandment in the Bible taught by Jesus-to love our neighbor as ourselves. This kind of attitude enables us to be a loyal friend. We can put ourselves in someone else’s situation and discern how to offer helpful support for them.

Proverbs 17:17 says that a friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

Building Healthy Friendships is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on John 15:13 and 14.

Jesus told His disciples, “Greater love has no one than this; to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. 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.”

Jesus demonstrates His genuine friendship with His people in several ways. He died for us. He paid the ultimate sacrifice to bring us forgiveness and new life in Him.

He also confides in His followers what the Kingdom of God is like.   His teachings help us to better understand what matters to God. As we do life with Him, He speaks to us in His Word, and hears our prayers with His caring heart.

Through Jesus, we are set free to enjoy His genuine friendship and to experience His unfailing love.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Proverbs 17:17.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

There is a lasting bond in an authentic friendship. When we face turbulent times, like a job loss or an unexpected diagnosis from the doctor, or a broken marriage, our true friends become a support system that help us to get through those difficult times.

Friends are loyal. That does not mean they will approve of everything we do, but it does mean they care about us and are willing to speak truth into our lives if we have wandered off course. They will encourage us when we are disheartened.

They will walk with us through the valleys of despair.

They will celebrate with us when we reach the mountaintops of victory.

Walking as a faithful friend is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK -2015 is the Year of Connection at WJTL. We will examine God’s insights into healthy relationships. Listen for Relationship-Building Principles throughout the upcoming year.

Today’s Relationship-Building Principle comes from Proverbs 17:17.

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Real friends are not just fair-weather friends who love you when you are healthy, wealthy, and wise. Real friends are also supportive in your times of need, when you are in the hospital, when you have lost your job, or when you have lost a loved one. That is when the value of real friendships is felt. That is the kind of friend that God wants us to be for others. That is the kind of friend Jesus is for us. He talked about real friendship this way in John 15:12 and 13:

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Less than 24 hours later, Jesus was hanging on the cross, reaching out with love, dying for our sins, offering forgiveness and eternal life to those who will receive His gift of grace.

Real friendship is a vital-relationship-building principle to take to heart in the Year of Connection.

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment of Celebration reflects on the value of a true blue friend.

H. G. Bohn has said, “Friendships multiply joys and divide griefs.” There is something deeply meaningful when we celebrate special occasions with friends and loved ones. Perhaps this is why we tend to invite our circle of friends to our birthday parties and wedding ceremonies. We are also comforted by the support of friends in our low moments, when we have lost a loved one or if we have lost our job unexpectedly. Friends may not have the solutions to take away our pain, but they do offer us love and encouragement, which we really need when we find ourselves in a tough place.

The Bible reveals the value of a true blue friend this way:

Proverbs 17:17 says,  “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Jesus is the ultimate expression of a true blue friend. He told His followers, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” The next day, Jesus laid down His life for His friends.

The value of a true blue friend is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – From Proverbs 17:17.

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Friends have a way of multiplying our joys and dividing our sorrows. One story of true friendship in the Bible is between David and Jonathan. The Bible says that Jonathan loved David as he loved himself. Jonathan spoke well of David. He looked out for his protection when he was in danger. David knew that he could trust Jonathan’s word. Those are the qualities of friendship where there is a mutual level of respect and honesty with each other. True friends keep each other’s secrets. We open the window of our soul a bit wider to a friend than other people, having the confidence that they will love us through our strengths and weaknesses, and we will do the same for them.

Jesus talked about friendship with His disciples in John 15:13.  He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” The next day, He died on a cross, expressing the purest form of friendship this world has ever known. As we follow Jesus, He teaches us how to be a good friend.

Being a faithful friend represents Jesus and is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com