“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." Proverbs 27:17 NLT
Do you have a friend who keeps you on your spiritual toes? One who listens to what's on your heart, then has a ready word of encouragement, comfort or even admonition when the occasion calls for it?
Do you have a friend who will give you godly advice when you have a decision to make? One who pull you back from the brink of destruction when they see you about to make a huge mistake?
Do you have a friend who will pray for you on a regular basis, love you as you are, but also tell you (in a frank, but loving way) when you are being a jerk?
Have you given anyone in your life the permission to be this kind of friend?
If you answered yes to these questions, you are blessed indeed.
I have a couple of friends like this and they keep me grounded in Christ, while encouraging me to be all God made me to be.
Of course, in order to have relationships like this, one must be willing to open up to another, to share who you really are, flaws and all. Then you must be willing to allow them to speak freely into your life without taking offense.
You hear them out, take what they say into careful consideration, pray, asking God to show you what to hold onto and what to let go of and most of all, you return the favor. You be that kind of friend in return.
We were never meant to do life on our own, but to walk in fellowship with others.
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the friends you have put into my life. Help us to develop our relationships to the point that we are willing to allow one another to sharpen us spiritually. Help me to be that kind of friend to those that you placed in my life. Amen
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(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)
Do you have a friend who keeps you on your spiritual toes? One who listens to what's on your heart, then has a ready word of encouragement, comfort or even admonition when the occasion calls for it?
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| Photo courtesy, lusi rgbstock.com |
Do you have a friend who will pray for you on a regular basis, love you as you are, but also tell you (in a frank, but loving way) when you are being a jerk?
Have you given anyone in your life the permission to be this kind of friend?
If you answered yes to these questions, you are blessed indeed.
I have a couple of friends like this and they keep me grounded in Christ, while encouraging me to be all God made me to be.
Of course, in order to have relationships like this, one must be willing to open up to another, to share who you really are, flaws and all. Then you must be willing to allow them to speak freely into your life without taking offense.
You hear them out, take what they say into careful consideration, pray, asking God to show you what to hold onto and what to let go of and most of all, you return the favor. You be that kind of friend in return.
We were never meant to do life on our own, but to walk in fellowship with others.
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the friends you have put into my life. Help us to develop our relationships to the point that we are willing to allow one another to sharpen us spiritually. Help me to be that kind of friend to those that you placed in my life. Amen
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(Copyright© 2012 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)
1 comment:
We all have people who have affected our lives, whether from a distance, a kind and generous word, or a good deed. It’s so important to carefully choose the people we associate with because they have such an influence in our lives, and God wants us to have an influence on their lives! :)
Great post Jan!
Blessings and hugs,
Denise
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