Daily Devotional
Betty Miller shares her daily devotionals which are based on the book of Proverbs in
the Bible.
The Wisdom of God
Verses for the Day:
Proverbs
27:5-6 (KJV):
5 Open rebuke is better than
secret love.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Proverbs
27:5-6 (AMP):
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but
the kisses of an enemy are lavish and deceitful.
Thoughts for the Day:
These verses
from Proverbs tell us that true friendship includes
honest rebuke when needed, and states that it is better than insincere
compliments from an enemy. Even though a friend's words of correction may wound
us, it is an act of love, if it spares us from future trouble and pain. Friends
who are close to us know us better than others who are just acquaintances.
Because of this, they see both our good and our bad sides. Friends are a gift
from God and it is important to maintain our friendships. A true
friendship requires time spent together. It is during those times that we see
into the souls of those whom we count as friends. If we truly love our friends,
we will always want the very best for them. Christian friendships have an added
element that makes them even more blessed. That ingredient is having the
presence of the Lord Jesus involved in the midst of our relationships.
Friendships in Christ are one of the most blessed gifts we can experience.
Proverbs 17:17:
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
A true friend will
love us at all times, even those times when we are not so lovely. They will even
be to us as a brother who will stand with us when we go through adversity. That
kind of friend will also be the kind that will speak the truth to us in love,
when we are doing something that is wrong. Speaking the truth when we need to
hear it is a kindness to us, as it can prevent us from going astray. It also can
help us to mature in Christ. The Bible tells us that it is one of the ways
that will help us grow up.
Ephesians 4:15:
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the
head, even Christ.
For us to have
friends, we must reach out and be a friend to others. We also must nurture
those friendships by demonstrating kindness to others. The Bible also tells us
that there is a friend that will stick to us closer than a brother, and that
friend is Jesus. Even if our friends in this world fail us or let us down,
Jesus will never fail us and will always be there for us. He truly is a
friend that sticks closer to us than a brother. Friendships, in the
natural, have limitations; however, our friendship with Jesus has no
constraints. He will always be there for us.
Every Christian
has an opportunity to cultivate a relationship with Jesus where He becomes our
dearest friend. There was a man in the Bible who was known as a friend of
God. How wonderful it would be to be known as God's friend. There is only
one way to become a friend of God, and that is to spend time with Him through
prayer and reading His Word. And the most important thing that cements a
friendship with God is the keeping of His Word, as this demonstrates our
commitment to Him. This is why Abraham was known as a friend of God.
James 2:23-24:
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was
imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Prayer for the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being such a good Friend to me. Lord, I desire to also be a good
friend to those You have put in my life. May I be the kind of friend who will
not shy away from speaking the truth in love when the occasion calls for it.
May I also be mindful to encourage my friends, to speak well of them, and to
always be there for them when they need me. Also, Lord, may I not neglect
my friendships and take the time necessary to nurture them, and may You always be
in the middle of them. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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