7/9/24 Lit Word "You've Got a Friend"

Date: 7/9/24
Today's Reading:
OT: 1 Chronicles 9:1 - 10:14
NT: Acts 27:21-44
Psalms: 8:1-9
Proverbs: 18:24-24

Neal’s Lit Word

Title: "You've Got a Friend"

Scripture: Proverbs 18:23

A man of many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 17:17
A (true) friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.

Observation: What is God saying to me?

There is a big difference between being friends and being friendly.
People get this mistaken often and then learn the hard way that true friends are few and sometimes far between.

Acquaintances are people you know that you are friendly with.
Friends are those who stick with you through good and bad, thick and thin.

Fair weather friends are folks who only hang in when the weather is good.
True friends get closer when the going gets tough and help you weather the storm.

When you mistake acquaintances for friends then you end up hurt and betrayed. The good news is, you find out who your friends are. When you find them, cherish them.

Ultimately, you’ve got a friend in Me. I stick closer than the best of brothers.

Application: What will I do about it?

Evaluate your friends list.
Who lands as an acquaintance?
Who lands as a friend that sticks closer than a brother?
Is there anything you can/should/will do to foster a better friendship?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for being our friend. Even when we lose sight of our relationship You pursue and love us anyway. You are the ultimate friend. Help us to be a better friend to You and to those who are true friends to us. Amen!

I Am Grateful For… Good Friends

Tracker Questions

How faithful are you as a friend?
1️⃣ To Jesus, the best of your friends?
2️⃣ To those who have been good friends to you?

What do you need to do to be a better friend to both?