Proverbs 18:24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
True friends are few and far between. When you locate one cherish them.
I think about when movers are packing they ask you to mark items that are to “stay” with blue painters tape. Mark those TRUE friends with blue painters tape. They will “stay” with you near or far.
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times…. This is the litmus test of a TRUE friend. The friends who love you when you are not you. The friend who you are at ease with even with no makeup on. The friend you allow in your home when you haven’t cleaned. And you know that those things aren’t important to them; they aren’t judging you.
I have said many times: Friendships are like a marriage relationship – it takes two to make it work and it takes commitment. The best friendships are when both parties contribute, supporting each other as Christians. Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
Parable of the Persistent Friend – Luke 11: 5-10 Jesus speaks: And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves; “for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him; “and he will answer from within and say , “do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in the bed; I cannot rise and give to you. ” I say to you , “though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. “And I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. “For everyone who asks receives and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Many times in the Bible Abraham is referred to as the friend of God – God’s friend forever. Let us all aspire to be that friend; that Christian friend to each other.