Forever Friends

There are billions of people in the world and yet there are still lonely people. Part of the problem is that people don’t know how to be a friend.

Friendship is one of the most precious gifts that we have here on earth. Those who have them, cherish them. Those who don’t feel the sting of loneliness.

Weather you have friendships, or want to develop one, I would encourage you to look to God’s word for instruction. Besides, we can all improve in our own character to BE a better friend!

The Bible gives us many examples of what friendship looks like. We learn behaviors, treatments, expressions, and more. The Word of God is the best resource we can find in helping cultivate friendships.

Houses built on firm foundations last forever. The same is true of friendships. If you want to build a friendship you need the right tools. A wise person searches out, studies, and then applies what he learns. The Bible is one such tool.

If you want to be a better friend or would like to learn how to develop a friendship take some time to meditate on the Bible passages below. Then journal you thoughts, feelings, and insight. Take it a step further and find time to implement what you have learned.

Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loves at all times.”

Job 6:14, “A despairing man should receive loyalty form his friends, even if he abandons the fear of the Almighty,”

Proverbs 18:2, “A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions.”

Colossians 3:12-14, “Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone as a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Above all, put on love – the perfect bond of unity.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm?”

Proverbs 27:5-7, “The wounds of a friend are trustworthy, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.”

John 15:12-15, “This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father.”

Proverbs 12:26, “A righteous man is careful in dealing with his neighbor, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.”

1 Samuel 18:1, “When David has finished speaking with Saul, Jonathan committed himself to David, and loved him as much as he loved himself.”

Ruth 1:16-17, “But Ruth replied: ‘Do not persuade me to leave you or go back and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.'”

2 Kings 2:2, “And Elijah said to Elisha, ‘Stay here; the Lord is sending me on to Bethel.’ But Elisha replied, ‘As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.'”

We all have room for improvement!