A man who has friends must himself be friendly. - Proverbs 18:24

I am overwhelmed with thankfulness to God. He is faithful. He heard our desperate cries. He makes all things beautiful in His time. He has blessed us with wonderful friends in BFC :)

It is a prodigious blessing to have human friends who enrich our lives. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times," standing with us steadfastly through life's sunshine and storm. Indeed, some of us know gratefully by our own experience that "there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24).

Real love takes action. 1 Jn. 3:18 says, "Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth". To have someone who remains true to us under all circumstances is one of life's choicest blessings. Proverbs 18:24 makes an important point and takes us beyond a description of what it means to be a friend. It says that "a man who has friends must himself be friendly." The implication is clear: Friendliness must begin with us. We must take the initiative in developing relationships with others. Let us be to others what we desire for ourselves. When it comes to friends, to have one you must be one!

What can we do about this? Like what Smarties suggested, let us let down our guards and be open and forthcoming in our sharing. Whenever someone shares, the rest will listen without judgement and be prepared to love regardless. Open sharings increase the depth and quality of our friendship with each other and bonds us even closer. It draws us nearer to God too!

Friendship on a human level is wonderful, but what about friendship with God? It is an incredible blessing to have the Creator and Sustainer of our universe as a friend. Although worshiped by countless heavenly hosts, He takes great joy in His relationship with us. We are loved by the King. How awesome!

Are we neglecting the privilege of walking with God, the greatest of all friends? Today, with gratitude and awe, let's spend time with Him in prayer and in reading His Word. Remember that Jesus called His followers friends (John 15:15). What an honour that we can enjoy friendship with God!

When you spend time with God, you invest in a forever friendship.

4 times a week, 20 mins each session. Start today!

Shepherd