Companions
John 6:67-68 You do not want to leave too, do you? Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Jesus enthralled his 5,000 + fans. These were people who were enthusiastic enough about Him to follow Him around. That is, until He said something scary. Right afterwards everyone left except the 12. Peter and the other 11 chose the right thing. Even though the multitudes left, they made the right choice of who they were going to hang around with. Shortly afterwards these same 5000 + ‘fans’ would be angrily shouting, “crucify Him! Give us Barabas!!”
Choose your companions wisely. Although I have friends who are both believers and non-believers, my favorite companion is Jesus. I want Him included in everything I do. I can’t get enough of Him because in Him is all my goodness, peace and joy. Whenever I get off track, I notice that I have left His companionship. As long as I am in His companionship, I am fine. Without it, I’m a disaster. He brings out the best of me.
You are who you associate with. I love almost everyone, and have many friends from all walks of life. As far as hanging out for fun though, I really prefer being with other believers because Jesus, and the things He cares about, are the only things that really interest me. Like I said, I love everyone, I love small talk and getting to know other people, but long drawn out conversations usually circle back to the Lord. That can get uncomfortable for someone who hates God.
I could talk about Jesus, and about things that interest Him (ie PureHeart, relief work etc) non-stop. Many times Jesus will direct me to talk to people who don’t believe, and as long as He is leading me, it’s great. Being guided by God though, no matter what the subject, will always come back to Him. I don’t interject or lead the conversation. It just comes up by the person I am talking with. If God stops leading the conversation, and the other person decides to ramble on about sports or politics or something, I get bored with the conversation quickly. People don’t have to agree with me, but I just enjoy conversing about Him.
When people ask me what’s new, what’s on my mind, it’s always Jesus. Not trying to sound sanctimonious, it’s really just the way it is. Jesus is new to me every day. Jesus is on every radio station in my car, and every thought in my mind. Jesus, Jesus, There’s just something about that name! It resonates within me. Jesus is my constant companion. When I forget about Him, even for an instant, BIG PROBLEMS always rise up! That’s why it’s important to be around other believers, or at least people sympathetic to your cause. Jesus said that if they are not against us, they are for us. Mark 40:9 For he that is not against us is on our part.
I am not saying you shouldn’t have friends who don’t believe like you do. YOU SHOULD! If you don’t get invited to birthday parties etc. by people who are completely different than you, you are putting off the wrong vibe. I have been invited to some doozies! Jesus in this day and age would have been invited to parties and events of some pretty weird people (by our standards). Jesus, however, chose to just hang out with His disciples. Just hanging around people like you encourages you. You can let your guard down. They are good for your moral. They keep you focused on the main thing.
Ephesians 5:19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,
When I am traveling alone, and go into a McDonalds, I always chose to sit and eat with that bag lady, or any other person sitting along. I LOVE meeting and encouraging people. I don’t choose to hang out with them day in and day out though. I can’t. It’s not my calling to sit under a bridge with someone while they get high and drink cheap booze. It’s not my calling to go into gay bars (I’m probably not their type anyway) nor strip joints. I’m not called to it. You have to follow your calling. Our calling is to know God and to make Him known. You get to know God more when you are with other believers. You make Him known when you are sharing with unbelievers, as He guides.
Romans 8:14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
The people you choose to hang out with on your down time, pretty much says who you are. Even if you are righteous, if you are hanging out a lot with unbelievers it had better be in direct obedience to God (or things like your job etc). Lot, for example, was righteous, but he suffered greatly because of where he chose to live. It cost him some members of his family and all of his possessions (including his house). When God’s wrath visited, Lot got singed by the colateral damage. Hanging out with ungodly people will cost you dearly (unless you are being led by God to do it, to win souls for His Kingdom).
Hanging out with the wrong ungodly people will cause you to fall. Ungodly music can make your thoughts go south. Angry people will teach you to be angry the Bible says. Sexually suggestive people can make you fall, no matter how strong you faith is. The Bible says to avoid those people.
1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.
It’s better (for pure companionship) to just hang around other believers. Instead of being costly it will be enriching. Not only are wrong companions counter-productive and expensive, you will never really ‘fit in’ with the ‘happy hour’ crowd. They never really have anything interesting to talk about, and if the conversation IS interesting, it’s probably something that will distance you from Jesus.
Keep Jesus your main companion, and your main focus. He is the only one that you can trust. We teach the PureHeart kids about the importance of choosing our friends wisely. But mostly, to choose Jesus! Because He is truly the only one you can trust. Only He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
AND….
Hebrew 3:15 Let your manner of living be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have. For He hath said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”;
MUCH LOVE, DEAN AND WINNIE PETERS
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———–SPANISH————-
Compañeros
◄ Juan 6: 67-68 ► “Tú tampoco quieres irte, ¿verdad?” Jesús preguntó a los doce. Simón Pedro le respondió: “Señor, ¿a quién iremos?
Tú tienes palabras de vida eterna.
Jesús le dijo a sus más de 5,000 fanáticos, personas que estaban entusiasmadas con Él, algo que les daba miedo. Inmediatamente después, todos se fueron, excepto por los 12. Peter y los otros muchachos eligieron bien. A pesar de que las multitudes se fueron, ellos tomaron la decisión correcta en compañía. Poco después, estas mismas personas de las multitudes gritarán, “¡crucifiquenle! ¡¡Danos a Barabas !!”
Elige sabiamente a tus compañeros. Mi mejor compañero es Jesus. Lo quiero en todo lo que hago. Él es toda mi paz y mi alegría. Cada vez que me desvío, me doy cuenta de que he dejado su compañía por un momento. Mientras esté en Su compañía, estoy bien.
Eres lo mismo con quien te asocias. Amo a casi todos, pero para ser franco, realmente prefiero estar con otros fanáticos de Jesús porque esa tema de Jesus es la única conversación que me gusta tener. Me gusta hablar de Jesús. Amantes de Jesús les gusta hablar de Jesús también. La mayoría de los demás te cambian el asunto de conversacion rápidamente. Muchas veces, Jesús me dirige a hablar con personas que no creen, y mientras me guia, estamos buenos. Pero si El deja de dirgirme, y los otros quieren hablar de deportes o algo, me aburro de la conversación. No tienen que estar de acuerdo conmigo, solo disfruto conversando acerca de él.
Él está en cada estación de radio en mi auto, y en mi mente. Aunque el nombre de Jesús no era realmente Jesús, trato de mantener a Su persona siempre está en mi mente. Cuando me olvido de Él, aun por un instante, ¡GRANDES PROBLEMAS ocurren! Por eso es importante estar cerca de otros creyentes.
◄ Efesios 5:19 ► Hablando unos con otros con salmos, himnos y canciones del Espíritu. Canta y haz música de tu corazón al Señor.
Con quién te asocias, muestran quién eres. Incluso si usted es justo. Si está saliendo mucho con los incrédulos, es mejor que sea en obediencia directa a Dios (es decir, trabajo, negocio,empleo, etc.). Lot era un hombre justo, pero le costó a gran parte de su familia, todas sus riquezas (incluida su casa). Cuando la ira de Dios visitó, Lot fue chamuscado con daños colaterales. Salir con personas impías te costará caro (a menos que Dios te guíe). Sinesta asociando con incredulos, alguien esta evangelizando alguien, siempre. Si tu no estas evangelizando para el Señor, ellos estan evangelizando en Su contra. Este resulta en pecado, casi siempre.
La Biblia dice que las relaciones pecaminosas te hacen pecar contra ti mismo.
◄ 1 Corintios 6:18 ► Huye de la inmoralidad sexual. Todos los demás pecados que una persona comete están fuera del cuerpo, pero quien pese sexualmente, peca contra su propio cuerpo.
Es mejor (para el compañerismo) simplemente, por lo general, quedarse con otros creyentes. En lugar de ser costoso será enriquecedor. No solo son compañeros mundanos contra productivos, pero caros. Los en los barres realmente nunca tienen nada interesante de qué hablar, y si es interesante, probablemente sea algo que te alejará de Jesús.
Mantén a Jesús como tu compañero principal y tu enfoque principal. Él es el único en lo que puedes confiar.
Enseñamos a los niños de PureHeart sobre la importancia de elegir a sus amigos con inteligencia. ¡Pero sobre todo, para elegir a Jesús! Porque solo Él nunca te dejará, ni te abandonará.
Deuteronomio 31: 6 Sé fuerte y valiente. No temas ni te asustes, porque el Señor tu Dios va contigo; Él nunca te dejará ni te abandonará.”
Hebreo 3:15 Que tu manera de vivir sea sin codicia, y que te contentes con las cosas que tienes. Porque Él ha dicho: “Nunca te dejaré, ni te desampararé”;