Pondering...Friendship

I had a lovely talk with a wonderful friend this evening and had a morning full of great messages at church and sunday school. I feel led to comment on true biblical friendship. The Bible reveals to us that we should care about everyone we encounter, but sometimes these encounters turn into so much more-friendship. They teach us love and support, compassion, selflessness, offer us criticism to help with our WALK, and help us when we need help. The Bible has given us some wonderful models of friendship: Naomi and Ruth, David and Jonathan, Elizabeth and Mary, Christ and the Disciples, Christ and Lazarus, Mary and Martha, to name a few. It has also given us insights on how to deal with those who are friends. When we are friends, you EXTEND YOUR HEARTS to one another. What a beautiful picture that is! What can we learn from those friendships mentioned in the Bible?

• Love your friend, as much as you love yourself
• Protect each other from the world, sin, and physical harm (be accountable to one another)
• Be loyal to one another and love at ALL times
• Pray for one another
• Be like-minded in Christ
• Support one another
• Offer our lives as a sacrifice to help the other one.
• Forgive
• Here are some verses: (1 sam 20:4, Ruth 1:16 & 17, Proverbs 17:17, Proverbs 18:24, ECC 4:9, Phil 1:3-5a & 9-11, Phil2:2-4, John 15:13)

Thank you God for my friends. You have answered my prayers! Please use me to minister to my friends, to love them, show them your grace and abounding love, and serve them wholeheartedly!