This is the crucial item of protection for the young person. Do not think that you can hang with people who live a wicked lifestyle and not

As human beings we have an innate desire to connect with one another in meaningful ways, and the reason we have this innate desire to connec

It is friendship – often even over family – that will sustain you through the storms of life.

Proverbs 27:9 "Oil and perfume make the heart glad, so a man's counsel is sweet to his friend." oil The word oil is the Hebrew word semen which means oil, usually olive oil. It was often a perfume base or an ointment. perfume This is the Hebrew word qetoret which means incense or perfume. This word is often involved in the offering of incense to the Lord in which the smoke rises up to be a pleasant aroma to the Lord. Perfuming with dry aromas, and sprinkling with liquid aroma

Proverbs 17:9 "He who conceals a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends." This should be the theme verse of every newly married couple. If couples would just realize that they do not score points when they bring up wrongs, grievances, or mistakes that the other person commits. They are really cutting off their nose to spite their face. This is like stabbing yourself in the leg just to show it that you are the boss of your legs. No one

Proverbs 19:7 "All the brothers of a poor man hate him; how much more do his friends abandon him!" This is the final extension of the idea in verse 4 and verse 6. Deep friendship is begun and built on the idea of mutual benefit. This verse deals with the negative side of friendships. When friendships dissolve or come apart, it is because the benefit is not high enough for the gain. Notice the idea that a person who is poor or who has nothing to share is abandoned. Now this is

Proverbs 27:6 "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy" When a true friend does have to point out an area of weakness or moral inadequacy, this is truly helpful. A friend really has your best interest at heart and is not doing this correcting for personal advancement or selfish reasons. A friend who has supported you and is positive toward you over a long period of time can, at times, say a hard thing as long as it is clear that the hard