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Today we are looking at friends. Do you have enough good ones?
Welcome to Run With Horses. My name is Norman and my goal is to help you Thrive as a follower of Jesus. You are not in this alone. God intends for you to make the journey with others. How are you doing at building and developing lasting friendships?
Hopefully better than the average!
Reference – https://www.americansurveycenter.org/research/the-state-of-american-friendship-change-challenges-and-loss/
Number of close friendships has declined over the past few decades. – SM influence? Contact does not equal close relationship!
More friends equals more satisfied with the number of friends you have. No surprise there!
Why is it so important to have and maintain friendships?
Prov. 27:6 – Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Prov. 27:17 – 17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – 9 Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
1 Cor. 15:33-34 – 33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God.
John 15:12-15 – 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
1. Friendships give you hope. A good friend will talk you down when you are crazy.
2. Friendships encourage you to take time away from stress to recharge and refocus on what is really important.
3. Friendships encourage you to try new things and meet new people. Exercise is better with a friend, so is Thai curry.
4. Friendships encourage thankfulness.
Thanks for joining me today. If you have thoughts or questions about your spiritual life, write me at norman@runwithhorses.net I would love to hear from you.
Find a friend today and encourage them to keep on the journey with you.
Keep running!