Since becoming a Christian, I have come to understand that in our lives there are “three types” of just about everything… of music, movies, actions, language, and more importantly, three types of friends. Those that glorify God, ones that cause the enemy of God to blaspheme Him, and then there are the “Rice Cakes”; there is some substance but no spiritual value.

The company we keep has a greater influence on our spiritual walk than we sometimes realize. The voices we allow into our lives can either strengthen our relationship with Christ or slowly pull our hearts away from Him without us even recognizing it.

The problem that most people face in today’s society is that they find it easy to draw near to those that tear them down and push away those that lift them up. As I look to the scriptures, there are many verses that have helped to guide me when it comes to “friendship.”

I pray often over what is written in Psalms 1:1 Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.

A worldly friend will lead us to sin, encourage ungodly traits, and would rather see us fall than serve God in life. It is important that Christians carefully choose their friends by understanding God’s wisdom as we see written in 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.

In the past, I used to have trouble choosing friends, and I can tell you from experience, friends can either lift you up in life or tear you down. I have been blessed with many Christian friends who have strengthened my joy in the Lord, encouraged me to obey Him, led me to God in my weakness, exposed sin in my life that kept me from being close to Him, and loved me deeply by praying for me and more impactfully with me intentionally.

These are the kinds of friendships that remind us that accountability is not judgment, correction is not rejection, and godly love will never encourage us to remain in the things that separate us from the Lord. We should strive to be that same kind of friend to others, not simply speaking words of encouragement, but living out our faith through prayer, truth, patience, and genuine love.

If you have friendships leading you away from the Lord, don’t walk away from them, run, and when running, run toward the Lord Jesus, your most important Friend in this world. God will make us aware of bad influences in our lives and replace them with godly friends if we let Him.

I read, “You don’t need a certain number of friends, just a number of friends you can be certain of.” I have been blessed with friends that have walked with me through some of the most painful moments of my life and believe that it is because of their faithfulness, not only to me but to the Lord Jesus, that I am alive today and able to share the things I do.

Let us also remember that friendship is a responsibility, not just a blessing. Be intentional about checking on one another, praying for one another, speaking life into one another, and reminding each other of God’s promises when life’s circumstances make them difficult to see.

Closing thought, it takes 6-8 pallbearers to lift a person up when they are deceased. Imagine what a person would be able to accomplish in this life if they had 6-8 Spirit-filled individuals intentionally lifting them up before God every day in prayer while encouraging them to draw near to Jesus when together.

Dear Hearers, choose your friends wisely, your eternity may be influenced by them. But also ask yourself what kind of friend you are to those God has placed in your life. We are all in need of encouragement, grace, and godly fellowship, and none of us should have to walk this journey of faith alone.

No matter where you are in your walk with Christ, there is always room to grow, to find godly fellowship, and to become the kind of friend who helps others draw nearer to Jesus. May we be a people who lift one another up, stand together in faith, and never lose hope in what God can do through friendships surrendered to Him.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, help us choose friendships that honor You, give us discernment to recognize influences that pull us away from Your truth, and the courage to walk toward those that strengthen our faith. Teach us to be faithful friends who pray for one another, speak truth in love, encourage those who are struggling, and consistently point others toward Jesus by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Lord, surround those who feel alone with godly fellowship, restore relationships according to Your will, and let our lives be a source of encouragement, hope, and glory to You. In Jesus’ precious and powerful name, Amen.

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My BeLoved, may the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. In Christ Love, douglas. HE>i. pastord.blog

Special Note: I want to thank those who read what I write and are encouraged to support the ministry God has entrusted to me either one time or have decided to give on a monthly basis. I am encouraged to see certain verses playing out before my eyes like what is written in *Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.*

To any who are interested, please feel free to reach out to me with prayer requests, questions, encouragement, or for information on how to come alongside me with financial support at pastord.blog@gmail.com or I do have a Zelle account associated with my phone number, 5202720387 last name Blaser. Thank you my Beloved for your ongoing prayers and support.