Love Songs
“Stand By Me”
DISLOYALTY IS DIFFICULT TO SEE IN THE MIRROR.
33 Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 35 “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same. Matthew 26:33-35 NLT
TRUE LOYALTY IS PROVEN NOT PROCLAIMED.
Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? Proverbs 20:6 NLT
Loyalty: to wholly trust or believe in, to be permanent, unwaveringly faithful.
19 Then the king turned and said to Ittai, a leader of the men from Gath, “Why are you coming with us? Go on back to King Absalom, for you are a guest in Israel, a foreigner in exile. 20 You arrived only recently, and should I force you today to wander with us? I don’t even know where we will go. Go on back and take your kinsmen with you, and may the Lord show you his unfailing love and faithfulness.” 21 But Ittai said to the king, “I vow by the Lord and by your own life that I will go wherever my lord the king goes, no matter what happens—whether it means life or death.” 2 Samuel 15:19-21 NLT
OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISLOYALTY:
TO YOUR SPOUSE.
15 Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife… So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth. 16 “For I hate divorce!” says the Lord…To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty… So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.” Malachi 2:15-16 NLT
TO YOUR FRIENDS.
A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. Proverbs 17:17 NLT
TO CHRIST’S CHURCH.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. Acts 2:42, 44-46 84NIV
DISLOYALTY IS BORN OUT OF A DIVIDED HEART.
8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world . 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief… James 4:8-9 NLT
11 This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. 12 If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. 13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 NLT
Next steps for me today…
● Choose today through the power of Christ to be loyal to your spouse.
● Choose today through the power of Christ to be a loyal friend.
● Choose today to surrender to Jesus Christ.
