Shopping, school, and change in the season.

“What God Says About Friendship”
September 1, 2004

It is very hard to share how God has blessed me with such beautiful friendships. I cannot even explain how each friend has been brought into my life. But this one thing I know is that each one was sent by God at just the right time.

Now God’s timing is perfect and I am amazed each day how his timing works in my life, my family’s life, church life, and friendships.

Recently my life has been so blessed by a group of women who love the Lord and seek him in every aspect of life. I am amazed at the honesty and integrity each one of the ladies I have met through SHC.

What brings friendship together as we serve the Lord? What is God trying to show us by the sharing? How is God glorified through hearts that share prayer and sweet encouragement?

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

Imagine a friend who is by your side no matter what happens in your life. Think right now on that special friend God has sent you and pray for her or him. I have friends like this, not just one but many and I know if it wasn’t for the love God gave them towards me I would be a very lonely person.

A friend is one who can be an influence to bring growth in your life. How many friends have truly influenced you to grow deeper in Christ Jesus?
“And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” Ruth 1:16 Ruth saw God in Naomi and desired to follow her so she could too experience the God of Israel.

Now the question is: what kind of a friend are you?
“A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

Is your friendship built on the love of Christ Jesus to minister to your friend or to be ministered to?
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
Proverbs 27:17

A true friend helps guide their friend to make wise choices. I believe true friendship is built on love and sacrifice. A true friend will be truthful with their friend. A faithful friend will be there when the going gets tough. A godly friend will encourage you to grow up in Jesus. A real friend will seek your friendship with a pure motive.

Friendship with one another is a blessing from God. We can either choose to be a true friend or be like the world. Be hateful, not listen, gossip, use friendship for gain, and hurt one another with words that cannot be erased.

Pray for you friends whom you have close relationships with and give them a call and say how much you appreciate them. After all: a true friend loves because God is the center of your life.

Lord, I thank you for the friends you have given me throughout the years. I pray you will bless each one this minute, bring peace into their homes, and allow us to continue to grow and encourage one another. Thank you Lord for blessings which include true friends. Help me Lord to be a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Help me to have a servant heart in all my friendships. In Jesus Name. AMEN