Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- June 12, 2013
A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24, NKJV
A friendly person is fun to be around. They are upbeat and look for the best in those they meet. Yes, friendly can come on too strong, but those with relational understanding are sensitive to not go too far too fast. Indeed, a friendly person makes you feel at ease and gives you unspoken permission to be yourself. You feel safe to share your feelings with those who feel what you feel. Friendliness adds emotional energy to the conversation and encouragement to the heart.
Furthermore, your friendly spirit qualifies you to make friends. Friends want to be around friends who have the capacity to listen and love. Are you the giver or taker in your friendships? How can you be intentional to invest in those the Lord has put in your life? Perhaps you pray by name for the children of your friends or keep their children, so the parents can enjoy a 24 hour respite. Friendly takes the risk to make friends and follows with steps to retain friends. Friends care!
An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends. Proverbs 18:1
A bond of trust and loyalty grows between two friends who try to out serve each other. However, if giving only goes one way, over time the giver may grow weary in their solo service. Perhaps your Heavenly Father is calling you to fewer, more fulfilling friendships. He wants you to ratchet back your relationships to a manageable number. Who needs you to go deeper in this season of friendship? Pray for your friend and be emotionally available to enter into their world.
Most importantly, lock arms with the Lord Jesus in your growing friendship with Him. Your maturing friendship with Christ will develop your capacity to love and care for your friends. Friendship with deity brings reality to relationships on earth. Ask your friend to bow and pray with you to your mutual friend Jesus. Friends who pray together replace conflict with resolution and anger with joy. Confidants can be closer than blood relatives through the blood of Jesus!
A friend loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray Your Spirit will grow a spirit of friendliness in my heart.
Related Readings: Exodus 33:11; Psalm 109:4; Proverbs 12:26; Acts 19:31, 24:23; 3 John 1:1
Post/Tweet today: We feel safe to share our feelings with those who feel what we feel. #feelings
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© 2013 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.
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A bond of trust and loyalty grows between two friends who try to out serve each other.
I have this friend. Though she is across the country and we only see each other every 4 or 5 years I know she is there as I for her. When I was struggling she still gave. When she was at her bottom I was there. It is about fellowship and love. I miss her immensely. But we know that when we make it to heaven we will have that complete fellowship. As we say to each other our mansions will be next door 🙂 God is so good!
The 2013 theme for Christian Sportsmen’s Fellowship is “Building Lifelong Friendships”. http://Www.christiansportsman.com
Your post on friendship regarding trust and loyalty are right on target! Opportunity to share Christ with another comes through friendship as we … Fellowship Together! In business we are familiar with the saying, “Friends do business with their friends” Let’s continue to invest in building lifelong friendships with those God brings into our lives. Check out The Christian Sportsman magazine digital edition found on CSf’s website. Boyd, this post is right on task … or better stated, You are shootin where the squirrels are!
This is a good article to reflect on. When I read or hear stories of friendships this close, it often make me sad because I feel I lack those type of friendships. I guess if I want friendships of that depth, I need to be a friend of that depth. Also I have never really though to pray about this..it seems God would like me to do that. It hurts though …living a life always feeling like I am on the outside looking in at happy people with friends. I guess I should try to be a friend to people that are like who I am and who I once was?