“FRIENDS”

Me-Maw Thoughts
Number 437
August 13, 2019//

I have a plaque that was given to me. It says our friendship is special and then goes on to say these words:

“THE WORLD IS FULL OF PEOPLE,
BUT VERY FEW WILL SEE,
A FRIENDSHIP SWEETER THAN THE ONE GOD GAVE YOU AND ME.”

Two of the definition of friends found in Webster’s dictionary are:
: one attached to another by affection or esteem
: a favored companion

What kind of friend or friends do you have and what kind of friend are you?

The Bible gives us some insight into true friendship!

Proverbs 17:17 (KJV)
A friend loveth at all times,

We have all known fair-weather friends. Those who are your friends during the good times but disappear when things get rough. Sports teams have many fair-weather friends, all for them when they are winning but give up on them when they are losing.

My sister Betty used to love the Braves, Falcons, and Bulldogs, but only when they were playing good! When they started losing or not playing good she would declare she did not like them. She missed some amazing winning endings when she turned off the TV because they were messing up. She was definitely a fair-weather fan.

Which kind are you? Are you willing to come along side and help a friend walk through the hard times? Are you there with an encouraging word and a smile and a hug?

Fair-weather friends are all around us, but a true friend is a treasure from God! Do you always love as the scripture says or only when things are going like you want them to?

It is good to have friends you know will be there in the good and the bad but who can be sure they will not go away. Sometimes lifetime friends’ part because of misunderstandings or maybe death.

But I tell you this morning that there is a friend that will never leave you no forsake you. This friend will be with you in the good and the bad, will comfort and cheer you and will hold you close.

Proverbs 18:24 (KJV)
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

We have heard this verse many times but let us look closely at it. Two things are declared here. We must show ourselves friendly if we want friends and God is a friend the sticks closer than even a brother.

James 2:23 (KJV)
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Abraham was called a friend of God. But look closely and you will see he believed God. His belief in God and His word was why he was called God’s friend.

If we believe and trust God, we can also be God’s friend. What an incredible privilege…….are you a friend of God??? Or are you a fair-weather friend.

The following scripture makes it plan that if we follow the world’s way, we are an enemy of God, not a friend. How sad that so many times we choose the world system and succumb to its pull instead of choosing to walk God’s way in integrity and character and love and compassion.

James 4:4 (KJV)
know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

James 4:4 (MSG)
You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way.

I encourage you to walk in fellowship and friendship with the Lord God Almighty by choosing His way and knowing Him in a precious friendship. He loved you enough to send the very best, will you choose Him. Be God’s friend, not His enemy!!
_____________________________________
Father God, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth I ask you to guide me as I walk though this journey of life. I desire to be called your friend and I thank you that you are my constant and steady companion and you will never leave me. Touch each person who reads this with a desire for your way and your friendship. Amen

Be a friend of God!
Love, MeMaw