Inspiration Thursday - What a Friend

Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. (1 Samuel 18:1.)

Most all of us have people in our lives that we consider friends. Some of those relationships we consider close friends. But is there a friend in your life that is closer to you than family? There is an old saying that, "Blood is thicker than water". That is mostly true in our relationships with others. However David and Jonathan were the closest of friends and their friendship transcended their family ties. Their relationship is a picture of our relationship with Christ.
Jonathan was a prince, heir to the kingdom. David was a shepherd and had nothing to bring to the relationship other than himself. Christ is the Prince of Peace dressed in the robes of eternal royalty. We are dressed in the filthy rags of sin. Christ took off the robes of the kingdom, laid down his sword of righteousness and went to the cross to pay the price for our sins. His love for us and desire to have an eternal relationship with us is the reason He died for us. Through Christ and Christ alone, we can be joint heirs to the eternal kingdom of God. What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

Inspiration Thursday - Friends

If I were to ask you to name your friends, how many people would be on that list?  Are they friends, close friends, or close personal friends. What qualities to they posses that makes them your friend? The Bible has a lot to say about relationships, especially friendship. If you compare those names of your friends with the qualities listed in God's Word, you may find that the list shrinks to a very few people and they would be considered close personal friends. According to Proverbs 27:17 a true friend should make you a better person. How does that work?
A true friend is an encourager when you need encouragement. They are a helper when you need help and a sympathizer when you need sympathy. They are also the ones who will lovingly hold you accountable for your words and deeds. Okay, that friends list just got shorter, didn't it? When you get defensive about being held accountable, the friend stays the course, doesn't back down from the challenge of making you a better person, and celebrates the change in  you when you see the truth in their words and actions. It is truthfully said that we don't get to pick our family, but we do choose our friends. Choose wisely and benefit from the choice of good friends.  Have a blessed day.

Inspiration Thursday

Do you have a best friend? Do you have a BFF?  Do you have more than one?  Do you have one of each gender?  Is your spouse your best friend?  Are there things in your life that you will not tell, even to your best friend, even if it is your spouse?  Hmmm.m.m.m.  Almost everyone has someone that they consider to be their best friend.  Still, most of us have things in our lives that we consider private property and off limits, even to our best friend.  Others feel the security and freedom to tell their best friend everything.  Another unique thing about the relationship between best friends is that we will do things with and for them that we would not do with or for other people, even close friends.  Close friends are not best friends.  What are you willing to do for your best friend?  There is a best friend that has done everything for you, including die on a cross for all of those things that you will not tell anyone about.  He knows what they are.  He knows what you've done, and He loves you anyway.  He is there, regardless of our situation.  What a Friend We Have In Jesus.


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