how to be a good friend

I’d like to spend a few minutes with you today talking about something that is close to my heart.  There are some people who make me much better.

These people make me stronger plus they make life much sweeter.  As I thought about what to share I went back through some things I wrote in the past and some verses I have shared.  Here are a few of those thoughts from the past several years that remind me what a real friend looks and acts like.

Proverbs 18:24 NLT

There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

Our best and closest friend must be Jesus.  There is a plus to being in a close friendship with God.  It is the benefit of knowing someone who has influence and who wants to share blessings.  God wants to share with us.  Are we allowing Him to share?  Are we staying far from God because of view of God isn't quite right?

Proverbs 17:17 NASB

A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

Accepting and forgiving others is a choice we have to make.  It begins with us accepting and forgiving ourselves for the things we have done in the past.  It begins with accepting what God has done for us and allowing our lives to be a funnel for those awesome characteristics of God to be experienced by the people around us.

Matthew 9:36  NLT

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Our world is broken and needs hope, and it is through our lives and our stories that people will find real hope.  They will find Jesus.

This world needs people who care for each other in an authentic way.  Through the years we have seen lots of fakes.  These are the people who make you think all is well, that make you think they are friends, but when the fire is turned up or life is difficult, they walk or even run away.

We need Jesus, and we need friends.  We nee people who make our lives stronger and better.  To be a true friend is to make a commitment to another person that is important to you.  To be a friend takes time, energy and great love.  We need to be that kind of friend.

We need to be friends. We need to be partners in life, in work and in ministry. We need to be seen as precious people. Why? Because people need to Jesus. There is the reason for us being in God's family.

1 John 4:12   NLT

No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.

True friends share the love of God no matter what.  People will see Jesus when we chose to love.  Loving God and loving people is a high calling.  It is one I chose!