Philia

Unfriendly people care only about themselves

Pro:18:1

Long lasting friendship is equivalent to selflessness. It is difficult to befriend someone who is concerned only about his own self. The one who is thinking about him alone, the one who always thinks about profit or benefit for himself, the one who loves himself more than others, rarely gets a good friend.

Jesus became the good friend thus. Selfless unconditional love is the epitome of philia. Not expecting any good for himself, in fact suffered for us. Concerned only about us. So that we would benefit for eternity with him. Enemies as we were, he chose to become friends for us.

It is difficult to love a selfish person. The truth is, the bard is here because there was a person in school, who tried to befriend him, though he was selfish. This was a a surprise for the bard, because all the rest of them kept him away because of his selfishness and this man tried to be good friends with him, not expecting any good thing from him and then led him to Jesus the good friend.

Third point, how can I be the good friend, to someone who is selfish. How can I befriend someone who is not likeable. Whom everyone would want to avoid. Pray that I would be able to love him as Jesus has loved him. Jesus loves him still, as he loves me. Unconditionally. Without any expectations. Without any tags. So can I and should I love him. If I cannot manufacture or generate that love, can I atleast start praying for him?

Image credit: https://www.rethinknow.org/what-is-philia-love-in-the-bible/

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High walls

Anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster Pro:17:17 High walls are supposed to protect you in times of disaster. High walls protect you from enemies. High walls give you security. But wisdom says, these are all false securities. The very same thing you trust in becomes your snare. If you have bulit high walls for protecting against enemies, enemies will come and destroy the walls. Do not trust in your assets. For they will all fail. Be it education or bank balance or parents or children. Everything and everyone will fail. Only God will never fail. Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever. He never changes. Let Him be your fortress and your rampart. He is an everpresent help in times of trouble. He will be there with you till the end of age even beyond into eternity. In fact here it says, anyone who trusts in high walls will "invite" disaster. He is a jealous God - a righteous kind of jealousy which knows that trusting in Him alone is our chief end,

Very little to eat?

Pro:15:16-17 Better to have little with fear of the Lord Than to have great treasure and inner turmoil A bowl of vegetables with someone you love Is better than steak with someone you hate. Surplousness is not the thing that gives you satisfaction. Unlike the common idea that runs in the world. Everyone thinks if you have enough, that's it. But the best dreams are not seen on the softest pillow but more so for a destitute who sleeps on the streets. It is not what you have in your hand, but that which is in your mind that gives you sleep and satiety and satisfaction. Fearing God or Godliness, having people to love, family to cherish - these are what makes you joyous than a large platter of meat. Even a vegetable stew will make your face cheerful (not belittling the dish), if there is joy in God. One step further - in the midst of turmoil, you will still be smiling. Even if there is no gruel to drink, the faith that God will take care, your Abba will take care. That s

Win back

Proverbs 18:19 An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. A friendship lost because of misunderstanding or hurtful words or biting behind the back is difficult to be gained back. Well it's not impossible. But difficult. So be careful of what you say of your friends. No talking behind their backs. Once the trust is lost it's difficult to be gained back. Cherish your relations. Value them first. Your family relations. Your frinedships. All included. And if at all you lost it because of your foolishness, be wise. Make every effort to regain it back. Keep trying without ceasing. Image credit: https://www.bing.com/images/create/friends-shake-hands/1-6700a2afcd714dc69f8ceae29e3f5e63?id=%2bfcwC20eEAqDbSvoRtgdLw%3d%3d&view=detailv2&idpp=genimg&thId=OIG4.creRsKc0VMNnZLGOhojl&skey=uDoN3_zeU1NH31ivS71lX1V8egEON9W9RVnTt1oAAko&FORM=GCRIDP&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0

Onwards and upwards

The path of life leads upwards for the wise They leave the grave behind Pro:15:24 It was C S Lewis in his book, chronicles of Narnia, who describes eternity as - onward and upward! To Narnia and the North. Always ascending. Always towards the kingdom. Is it about being blessed, in this earthly kingdom, if you are a child of God? Not at all. It is about life beyond the other side. Leaving behind the grave. Leaving behind Sheol. Leaving behind the one thing which tends to bind you. Leaving behind the one thing which instills fear. Not any more. Victory over death and hell has been claimed. Because Jesus, Son of God, Son of Man willfully laid down His life and willfully went to that dreaded place to claim that victory. Amen. Oh! Death where is your victory Oh! Death where is your sting? 1 Cor:15:55 All defeated. All overcome. For eternity. No power of hell No scheme of man Can ever pluck me from His hands. This is what wise men would do. This is what wise men are destin

Control

Pro:13:3 Those who control their tongue will have a long life Opening your mouth can ruin everything. Blurting out whatever comes in your mouth is lack of self discipline. Lack of self control. You are a man of emotions. You don't have reigns in control. You are a poor man driven by passion. James:3:2. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. James:3:6. And the tongue is a flame of fire. What comes out of your mouth has power to burn people down, destroy their lives and ruin them, demolish them. Is that what you want? May be on your anger you might want. But it is not God's will. Keep quiet when you need to. A "I hate you" will do you or other person no good. Winning the argument will never be constructive. Col:4:6 Let your conversations be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. Eccl:5:2 Let your words be few. Eph:4:29 Let everything you sa

Little with righteousness

Better is little with righteousness Than great income with injustice Pro:16:8 A just balance and scales belong to the Lord. Pro:16:11 It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts. Pro:16:12 Dishonest gains will give you no peace. An unjust scale or bribe or undue money might give you a fat account balance. But is it worth it? You will have the most comfiest bed, but if you suffer from insomnia, then what use? You could buy the sweetest Lindt chocolate, but you couldn't even taste it because of diabetes. You could have the most sumptuous meal on your table, but you can't even drink a rice gruel without caution because of hypercholesterolemia. You might have the biggest mansion built, but if there is no love or peace at home, it is rubble. To walk in God's ways, is to be wise. It is also the means to peace. It doesn't guarantee a trouble free life. But a peace in the midst of raging waves. In contrast to unrest in the midst of surplousness. What do

Fortress

The name of the Lord is a strong fortress The godly run to Him and are safe Pro:18:10 Run to Jesus in times of trouble And you are safe Run to Jesus in times of fear And you are safe Run to Jesus when you are tempted And you are safe Run to Jesus in times of joy And you will find more joy. The name of the Lord is a strong fortress It shall not be shaken It shall not be moved You can find refuge in Him for sure No matter what happens, He is always there War or famine or loneliness Or disappointment or tragedy Jesus is there, yesterday, today and forever. Creator, sustainer, lover, father Alpha and omega, beginning and end He is my fortress, my tower, stronghold My rampart, my refuge I run to Him. I holdfast to Him. To be precise, even if I fail Him He will not leave me not forsake me. Even if I leave Him. He will not. Image credit: https://www.freepik.com/premium-ai-image/fortress-that-is-situated-peak-mountain-is-body-water_76017917.htm

The halfbaked Bard

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