Proverbs 17:17-A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
Two men were out hunting in the northern U.S. Suddenly one yelled and the other looked up to see a grizzly charging them. The first started to frantically put on his tennis shoes and his friend anxiously asked, "What are you doing? Don't you know you can't outrun a grizzly bear?" "I don't have to outrun a grizzly. I just have to outrun you!"
"I'm the kind of friend you can depend on. I'm always around when I need you."
That is the kind of friends that most people have, the one who are always putting themselves first!
But the truth is we all need friends!
There are two kinds of loneliness
1-Is the loneliness that happens when we are separated from family and friends
2-Is the loneliness that happens to us in a room full people, when we feel no one loves us, or cares about us, or care about what we are going thru or understands us!
We all need someone to rejoice with us, cry with us, to comfort us, to laugh with us, to listen to us!
Someone to be there through out the everyday experiences of our life, to have someone you can always count on!
Proverbs 18:24-A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
If you want have good friends then there are two lessons we must learn from this verse.
Many are looking for friends who will help them, meet their need, be a friend to them, listen to their problems, be sympathetic and love them.
1-If you want that kind of friend, then you have to be that kind of friend!
True friendship is not based on getting, but giving!
1-Friends Listen-You must be willing to listen when our friends are talking!
2-Friends Spend Time Together-Time together builds a relationship.
Shared experiences build a relationship!
Not only is this good advice for friendships but other relationships as well, even our relationship in church.
A man who had attended the church for many years. Left and went to another church. He told the pastor that his needs were not being met there. Yet, He and his wife had only a partly relationship with the church. They did not participate in most of the activities. They were members of the church, but they were not really committed to being involved it.
3-Friends Always Look Out For One Another-We should always have in mind or act upon what is best for our friend!
They know how to keep private things private.
Proverbs 17:9-He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.
4-Friends Always Tells Us The Truth-We need a friend to tell us when we've offended someone, when we've made bad decisions, because we can take the truth, when we know they love us, and have our best interest at heart!
That may lead to a argument if a friendship can’t with stand a disagreement, it is not much of a friendship!
5-Friends Accept Us For Who We Are-With our faults, with our quirks, with our habits.
6-Friends Help One Another-They help bear one another’s burdens!
A little girl came home after being with a friend and said to her mother, "Janie was very sad, Mommy, because her kitty died. But I helped her feel better." When asked what she had done, she replied, "I cried with her."
7-Friends Are Loyal-"A friend is one who walks in when others walk out."
A farmer was detained for questioning about an election scandal. "Did you sell your vote?" the attorney asked. "No sir, not me," the farmer protested. "I voted for that there fellah 'cause I liked him." "Come, now," threatened the attorney. "I have evidence that he gave you fifty dollars for a vote." "Well, now," the farmer said, "it's plain common sense that when a fellah gives you fifty dollars you like him."
A friend that listens, and spends time with me, has my back, tells me the truth, accepts me, bears my burdened and is loyal! LORD, NOT ONLY GIVE ME THESE KINDS OF FRIENDS, BUT HELP ME BE THIS KIND OF FRIEND!
