Friends

I am very privileged and blessed to have so many wonderful friends.  I've had an active weekend with different groups of friends.  I had the joy of celebrating with friends who were celebrating 5 years of marriage.  I spent time with a new group of friends in Chappel Hill--these are friends that I won't see very often.  As I think back over the years I've had an incredible group of friends.  I looked over pictures with fond memories of how special these people are to me.

Friendships run deep.  They minister to us in a special way.  Consider Job's three friends in Job 2:10-12 When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads.

His friends felt his pain and mourned with him.  Proverbs 17:17 says A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.  True friends love you enough to weep with you, to dance for joy with you and have the courage to rebuke you when you need it.  I'm grateful that I have friends that will come along side me when I am in a rut or about to make a bad choice and will confront me.  I like how it is described in
Ecclessiates 4:10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Look at Luke 5- the story of the paralytic.  Take the time to read the story.  The paralytic had friends that were determined to get him to see Jesus so that he would be healed.  When they could not get into the house where Jesus was they took there friend to the roof and lowered him down  verse 20 says, When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” What dedicated friends!
Thank you Lord for giving me so many wonderful friends!  Lord I pray you would bless each one of my friends with your super natural power and authority as they begin their work week!