Anyone can express thankfulness, but God is not impressed with faked lip service. The godly person does not simply say, “Thanks”! They are truly appreciative of all the blessings they receive. In fact, they are truly thankful for all that God does in their life. Even if some of those things bring a fresh humility and brokenness.

Real friendship looks at the heart, not just the “packaging.” Genuine friendship loves for love’s sake, not just for what it can get in return. True friendship is both challenging and exciting. It risks, it overlooks faults, and it loves unconditionally, but it also involves being truthful, even though it may hurt.

Genuine friendship, also called “agape” love, comes from the Lord. The Lord Jesus calls us His friends and He laid down His life for us (John 15).

It’s common among insecure people to dismiss others when they aren’t “snapping to attention” when demanded to perform. Another sad behavior is the tactic of declaring that someone who was once a good friend or voice of instruction simply has become “past season” and the so called relationship “moves on”.

Know this dear reader. The only way to real lasting relationships of any kind is by humbling yourself and by not scrutinizing the externals of others. Look hard into the mirror of God’s word and honestly ask yourself if you would want to be a friend of YOU!

Proverbs 27:19 says,
“As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.”

The ground rule of godly friendship is also found in the book of Amos.

“Can two walk together, except they be in agreement?” Amos 3:3 KJV.

Friends are supposed to be of like mind. The truth that comes from all of this is a friendship is a relationship that is entered into by individuals, and it is only as good or as close as those individuals choose to make it.

My Grandmother said that if you can count your true friends on the fingers of one hand, you are blessed.

A friend is one whom you can be yourself with and never fear that he or she will judge you.

A friend is someone that you can confide in with complete trust.

A friend is someone you respect and that respects you, not based upon worthiness but based upon likemindedness.

True friendship: What Is It?

A true friendship is a very rare thing, but when it is proven, it is something to treasure and keep safe by all means possible.

Amen!

 

~ Mary Lindow ^©

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” THE MESSENGER ” ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
Global Prayer Rooms

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Mary Lindow has a passion for encouraging others in all generations and careers or vocations to live and express excellence through personal integrity, healthy accountability, and wise management of talents and skills. She is a sought after keynote inspirational and humorous speaker and teacher throughout the United States internationally in Ministers conferences, International Spiritual leaders Conferences, and in National and International training seminars for various organizations.