Day 30-Friendship

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

It appears, in post-modernity, that friendships are temporal and superficial. People are nothing more than furniture that we arrange, rearrange and even get rid of when we get tired of them. It would appear that people are our friends only to the degree that they are beneficial for us and that they do not place too many demnads on us. God forbid if they involve themselves in some drama and they actually need us.

Friendship is a bond that is inseperable, it is a bond that is not easily broken. True friendship is a spiritual bond. David and Jonathon demonstrated this kind of friendship which manifested loyalty and commitment to each other.

The writer of Proverbs shares,"a friend loves at all times..." Think about it, a friend is a person not just as the popular expression states, "for a season or a reason", a friend loves at all times and is there for you. If we take the example of David and Jonathon, they supported each other through advesity. Friends encourage one another, friends intecede for one another, friends cover one another and protect one another. A true friend defends each other!

What does that say about the nature of our friendships? David and Jonathon loved each other as they loved themselves--that is in the Greek Agape, an unconditional love; and it is the love that Jesus said that we have for one another, "...loving our neighbor as ourselves." True friends are a blessing and the friendship enriches your life.

The writer of Proverbs also states, "a brother is born for adversity." Notice that in the text he was first talking about frienship, then he shifts to brothers. Because there is another level of friendship and that is "brothers". When there is conflict and controversy in one's life you begin to filter out those who are friends and those who are not. But those who are willing to stick with you through the adversity and dificult times is truly a brother. "A brother is born for adversity" meaning that he is not discouraged or fettered by conflict, he is there to support, encourage, intercede and whatever he can do for his friend and brother.

Friendship is a blessing and a gift from God.

Living with Faith and Power and Creating a Phenomenal Life!

Bishop Keith Russell Lee
Hoffman Estates, IL and Los Angeles, CA

Spiritual Focus: Being a True Friend

Spiritual Prayer Treatment

Father, I embrace the words of truth.
I appreciate my friends and I vow to
be a friend.
In the Name Of Jesus and Through His Power!
Amen! And So It Is!