As we enter a new year, it is an ideal time to prayerfully evaluate our lives in light of God’s Word and make goals for the new season ahead. Our friendships, as well as every other area of our lives, should be centered on God’s glory and Kingdom. My friend Amelia has shared some thoughts below on this topic, encouraging others to cultivate friendships that will build one another up in the Lord. And never forget, that the year 2012 presents the best opportunity to seek a deeper, closer relationship with the One Who sticks closer than a brother – our precious Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore, let all other relationships flow from that unhindered communion with Him.
Seeking the One Who is the closest Friend,
The Lord has blessed me with several wonderful, encouraging, Godly friendships. Some lessons in being a friend I have learned the hard way. Looking back, I can see a lot of superfluity in the friend relationships that no longer exist. When one particular friendship of mine began to hit rocky shores, it was simply because our lives were headed in different directions. Another time, the friendship didn’t last because the other party didn’t think as highly of our friendship as I did. With some relationships, I had to be content to walk away.
conversation and actions
edify one another?”
Nonetheless, these lessons were not in vain, because using them as I have grown older (and hopefully wiser), my friendships have lasted; but only because we have used a very special glue: the Lord Jesus Christ and the principles of His Word.
Think of the names of your three closest friends. Once you have them, consider the following questions in the context of those relationships.
» Is your conversation about the Lord at least 20% of the time? If not, make an effort in your next conversation to turn the tide—and make it real.
» Do your conversation and actions edify one another? If you only talk about others, what is it doing for eternity?
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Every Godly relationship takes a lot of time and effort to make it strong and maintain that strength. Here is a list of ideas that you can do together with your friends to not only have fun, but also to strengthen your friendship:
» Pray together for someone’s salvation.
» Memorize a book of the Bible together. When you are finished, go to dinner to celebrate.
» If your relationship is long-distance, begin a devotional blog together.
» Plan a shopping day together and determine to hand out at least 25 gospel tracts. See if you can get into a conversation about the Lord with a cashier or fellow customer.
» Make a commitment to keep each other accountable about one character trait a month for one season. Make weekly phone check-ups.
» Read the Bible through together, and share notes about how the experience changed your life.
» Start a younger girl’s devotional group together. Choose a book to work through and schedule meetings once or twice a month. At the end, host a tea party for all participants.
» Make a quilt together and send to a foreign missionary.
» Have a baking day and deliver the cookies to shut-ins.
Don’t forget, there is still The Friend that sticketh closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24)!
Amelia B. (17) is the only daughter in her family of six. She enjoys edifying others, web design, and preparing to be a homemaker.
Thank you for your thoughts Amelia! Very practical and encouraging!
Thank you very much; some wonderful thoughts there that I look forward to putting into good use! God bless you!
Thank you so much for this great webite! It is very informative.
Miss Amelia, this is such a beautifully written piece of encouragement! I did your little “test” to see how much I really do try to talk to my friends about the Lord, and I realized…not much. I try to more, but it’s hard, when you don’t see your friends very often anyway, and when you do, then naturally you want to hear about the latest goings on at their place and they want to hear about yours! I am going to make it a point this year though, to talk to others about Jesus more often and really try to encourage them! I printed off a copy and I’m going to try to think on how to bring others and myself closer to the Lord as we walk this road together! One of my favorite verses is Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” I really need to work on that! And again, thank you so much for the inspiration!
Blessings and happy new year to you!
Love in the Lord,
Martha Joy
{Sarah Lee: Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful article! I plan to put the link to it on my blog! :)}
Martha Joy shared this article website with me. These are all wonderful important suggestions for those desiring to be GODly humble servants to our King and mankind. “…but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than themselves.” Phil. 2:3
Thank you dear sister in Christ.
What an encouraging article! I always am blessed by really encouraging, meaningful conversations on topics that are focused on the Lord and what He has been showing/teaching us. It’s not always the easiest topic to bring up (sometimes “what you did today”, etc. can be easier), but I feel so refreshed and encouraged after conversations that were truly meaningful! Thanks for sharing-you shared some lovely ideas, Amelia!
With Joy in our Savior,
Elizabeth
Thank You for sharing this wonderful article.
It was full of very good advice on good friendships.
Thanks, Alyssa Grace
Amelia,
What a good reminder! I have experienced good friendships and not-so-good friendships and the drifting away stage . . . but, praise Jesus! Though I felt hurt at the time, I can now see the growth I experienced and I feel closer to God! This is a important area in life and what a good reminder you gave us!
Thank you!
Olivia
Amelia,
Thank you so much!! I have been thinking about this for some time and It is high time I realize how little time I really have and what I should and could be doing! Friends are important and if we have good godly friends then we are better off then if we are on the road alone. “…better two than one…”
thank you again,
Elise
Amelia,
You have some great ideas to share! I will be trying to do the above!
Lydia-grace