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

Friends are truly one of life's most precious treasures . . . a blessing from God! Many people are blessed with friends too numerous to count, while others find comfort in sharing their life with few. Regardless of which category you are in, your life is undoubtedly enriched by their presence!

To have many friends, we must show ourselves friendly—it's the principle of sowing and reaping. Plant seeds of friendliness and reap a harvest of good friends.

Paul gives us instruction on how to be a good friend in Philippians 2:3-4 … "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

It's easy to get caught up in our own lives—family, work, church, etc. But God challenges us to look outside our interests to focus on others.  Even in days when we don't feel particularly sociable, we're called to reach out to others—reach out beyond ourselves and impart God's love and grace to them.

And, remember, there is another "Friend" who will stand by our side regardless of what we are going through . . . good or bad. He is the one who makes it easy to be a friend to others as we emulate His example of faithful friendship. He will never walk away, He will never turn His back on us; He will always be there when we are in need. AND, He will always be there even when we aren't in need! This bond of "friendship" is thicker than blood, stronger than nature, closer than brothers!

Show yourself friendly to others. But don't forget to show yourself friendly to this "Friend". He, in turn, will stick closer than a brother . . . every day in every way.

Lord, help me remember to show myself friendly to others as well as to You for that's the least I can do! Help me to remember that You are my Friend, that You are for me and not against me . . . that You loved me before I was ever born! I treasure Your friendship, Lord, for it is a gift that has blessed, enriched, protected, and comforted me more times than I can count. What a Friend You are indeed. Amen!

"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."  (James 2:23)

© Jan Ross
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