The Bible says, "A friend loves at all times." That means even when it's inconvenient, when you don't feel like it, even when the other person doesn't deserve it, even at personal cost. That's what real friendship is all about.
The Bible says in Proverbs 18:24 (NIV), "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." This means mere socializing can keep you from having deep relationships. You can be so busy making acquaintances that you never spend the time, energy and effort it takes to cultivate the deep, satisfying intimacy of a good friendship.
You don't need a lot of friends to make it in this world but you do need a few good ones. One good friendship is better than ten thousand acquaintances. The acquaintances aren't going to be there in the crisis. Friends will. And every important close connection begins with a commitment.
You need people in your life who will be courageous, considerate, constructive, candid, confidential, and committed. But there is only one way you're going to get people like this in your life: YOU HAVE TO BE THAT KIND OF FRIEND FIRST.
"Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble." Proverbs 17:17 MSG
"Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family." Proverbs 18:24 MSG
WOW! Thats another great message by Rick Warren. I think its so important that we look at the issue head on and be honest with ourselves. I was told by Dad when I was young, that when you have a lot of money its easy to have a lot of friends but when a crisis happens, you will see who your "real" friends are. I can actually say that this statement held true for me and honestly for a few more people I know and have seen. We have to remember to really keep things in perspective and be real with ourselves. It says in the Bible, that "the man of many friends ( a friend of all the world) will prove himself a bad friend, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24 AMP. You have to understand that if you want to have a courageous, considerate, constructive, candid, confidential, and committed friend; that will tell you about yourself when you are doing wrong or just simply when you look like a fool, then we first have to be that COURAGEOUS, CONSIDERATE, CONSTRUCTIVE, CANDID, CONFIDENTIAL, and COMMITTED Friend.
I hope you are encouraged to be that "real" friend that is committed. I feel this world, this generation myself included is just SCARED of commitment because of hurt or whatever. But I say, here's a word from the wise...STOP! "Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT. So I say, let's just LOVE our friends, family, neighbors, cousins, uncles, aunts, grandparents, etc! Show love regardless, thats what I say!
Now go and tell someone that you are close to that you love them! I don't know, call someone and surprise them! MOM? DAD? FRIEND? LOL!!
The Bible says in Proverbs 18:24 (NIV), "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." This means mere socializing can keep you from having deep relationships. You can be so busy making acquaintances that you never spend the time, energy and effort it takes to cultivate the deep, satisfying intimacy of a good friendship.
You don't need a lot of friends to make it in this world but you do need a few good ones. One good friendship is better than ten thousand acquaintances. The acquaintances aren't going to be there in the crisis. Friends will. And every important close connection begins with a commitment.
You need people in your life who will be courageous, considerate, constructive, candid, confidential, and committed. But there is only one way you're going to get people like this in your life: YOU HAVE TO BE THAT KIND OF FRIEND FIRST.
"Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble." Proverbs 17:17 MSG
"Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family." Proverbs 18:24 MSG
WOW! Thats another great message by Rick Warren. I think its so important that we look at the issue head on and be honest with ourselves. I was told by Dad when I was young, that when you have a lot of money its easy to have a lot of friends but when a crisis happens, you will see who your "real" friends are. I can actually say that this statement held true for me and honestly for a few more people I know and have seen. We have to remember to really keep things in perspective and be real with ourselves. It says in the Bible, that "the man of many friends ( a friend of all the world) will prove himself a bad friend, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24 AMP. You have to understand that if you want to have a courageous, considerate, constructive, candid, confidential, and committed friend; that will tell you about yourself when you are doing wrong or just simply when you look like a fool, then we first have to be that COURAGEOUS, CONSIDERATE, CONSTRUCTIVE, CANDID, CONFIDENTIAL, and COMMITTED Friend.
I hope you are encouraged to be that "real" friend that is committed. I feel this world, this generation myself included is just SCARED of commitment because of hurt or whatever. But I say, here's a word from the wise...STOP! "Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT. So I say, let's just LOVE our friends, family, neighbors, cousins, uncles, aunts, grandparents, etc! Show love regardless, thats what I say!
Now go and tell someone that you are close to that you love them! I don't know, call someone and surprise them! MOM? DAD? FRIEND? LOL!!
Awesome DP!! That seriously really encouraged me to focus on at least one person to really pour my time into!! Thank you! :D
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