Friendship

September 17th – James 3:18

James 3:18

A harvest of righteousness doesn’t just happen. It grows from the seeds we choose to plant each day. When we plant words of peace instead of anger, encouragement instead of criticism, and forgiveness instead of bitterness, we are sowing seeds that will bear eternal fruit. Righteousness grows in the soil of a heart that is yielded to God, watered with prayer, and cultivated by His Word. Just like a farmer carefully tends his fields, we are called to nurture what God is doing in us. That means choosing daily to walk in His ways. The beauty is that righteousness not only blesses our own lives, but also touches those around us. Our choices ripple outward, impacting our families, friendships, and communities with the love of Christ. Living this way isn’t about perfection. It’s about obedience, about aligning our lives with God’s truth and letting Him produce something good through us. And in time, the harvest comes not empty, not wasted, but filled with the fruit of lives lived for His glory.

Reflection Question: What kind of seeds am I sowing with my words, actions, and attitudes each day?

Prayer Prompt: “Lord, help me to sow seeds of peace and obedience that lead to a harvest of righteousness. Let my life bear fruit that honors You and blesses others.”

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September 17th – Proverbs 17:17

Week 3 – Wisdom In Friendship (Proverbs 17:17)

It’s a proven fact. People need people. And king Solomon teaches us the value of godly friendships, by reminding us that a true friend loves at all times and is like a brother born for adversity. In a world that often promotes selfishness and shallow connections, godly friendships stand apart as a source of strength, comfort, and encouragement. Having friends who walk with the Lord helps us stay accountable, grow in faith, and face life’s challenges with courage. A wise person surrounds themselves with those who reflect God’s love. People seeking to build each other up rather than tear each other down. Nurturing these relationships requires intentionality. That means praying for one another, sharing burdens, and offering words of encouragement rooted in Scripture. When we uplift others, we reflect the heart of Christ, who calls us to bear one another’s burdens and rejoice with those who rejoice. True godly friendships are a gift that requires care, wisdom, and love, helping us grow in our walk with God.

Questions For Reflection –

  1. How can we intentionally nurture and strengthen our relationships with godly friends to ensure they reflect the love and wisdom of Christ?
  2.  In what ways can we offer support and encouragement to others, especially during times of adversity, to live out the truth of Proverbs 17:17?

A true friend loves at all times, but a godly friend lifts you closer to heaven. 🙏🏻❤️

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September 10th – James 3:17

Week 2 – Wisdom From Heaven (James 3:17)

James compares worldly wisdom, which is often rooted in pride, selfish ambition, and sin, against godly wisdom, which comes from above and reflects God’s character. Worldly wisdom may appear attractive at first, offering quick success, power, or status. But ultimately, it leads to chaos, division, and strife. Because it’s focused on personal gain and often neglects the well-being of others. On the other hand, godly wisdom is pure, peace-loving, gentle, and full of mercy. It seeks harmony, promotes love, and builds others up. While the world teaches us to chase after our desires at any cost, God’s wisdom calls us to seek righteousness, humility, and peace. This wisdom produces good fruit in our lives, leading to peace, kindness, and a deeper relationship with God and others. True wisdom is not just knowledge, but a heart aligned with God’s will. It’s a gift we should pursue through prayer, surrender, and obedience to Christ’s teachings. Living in godly wisdom brings a peace that worldly wisdom can never offer.

Questions For Reflection –

  1. How can we cultivate godly wisdom in our daily lives, ensuring our decisions and actions reflect purity, peace, and humility rather than selfish ambition?
  1. In what ways can we practice being gentle, merciful, and impartial when faced with conflict or challenging situations, following the guidance of James 3:17?

True wisdom sparkles not in worldly knowledge, but in a heart full of peace, gentleness, and mercy from above. 🙏🏻❤️

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September 6th – Proverbs 13:20

Week 1 – Wisdom In Relationships (Proverbs 13:20)

When we were young, our parents often warned us about the company we kept. They would recite the old saying, “If you lay down with dogs, you’ll get fleas.” In Proverbs 13:20, Solomon echoes this wisdom. He teaches that those who walk with the wise grow wise. But those who associate with fools suffer harm. He tells us that living with such wisdom brings peace and blessings. And reminds us that this wisdom isn’t only about avoiding negative influences. It’s also about seeking out those who will walk beside us in faith, sharpening one another in God’s truth and love. The people we surround ourselves with have a powerful influence on our choices and character. When we choose friends who live according to God’s Word, we develop relationships built on mutual respect, love, and accountability. True friendships that encourage us to make wise decisions, helping us avoid the pitfalls of regret and poor judgment. And walking together in Jesus, these friendships allow us to uplift each other in our spiritual journeys.

Questions For Reflection

  1. How can we be more intentional in surrounding ourselves with wise and godly influences that help us grow in our walk with Christ?
  1. In what ways can we evaluate and adjust our relationships to ensure they are leading us toward wisdom rather than causing harm or regret?

Walk with the wise and let your heart shine bright, surrounded by friends who bring joy and light! 🙏🏻❤️

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July 31st – Proverbs 25:4

Proverbs 25:4

Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel,”

During the process of refining and purifying precious metals, the waste materials that are separated through smelting are called dross. Intense heat causes the dross to separate from the ore and rise to the top. There it forms a froth and can be eliminated, leaving a pure metal base. That’s how it should be with our inner circle of friends. Friendship is a treasure given by God, and we should surround ourselves with only the cream of the crop. Those who have stood the test of time and proven themselves to be trustworthy, honest and loyal. Both to us and to God. Because such relationships are vital in a world of fake followers and friends. Like beacons of light, they guide us along the path of faith and righteousness. And in the company of such friends, we find solace, encouragement, and accountability rooted in the teachings of Christ. These precious, treasured, friendships inspire us to be better versions of ourselves. And they challenge us to grow in love, compassion, and forgiveness.

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July 9th – Proverbs 27:6

Proverbs 27:6

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

When speaking about friends and enemies Mark Twain once said, “It takes your enemy and your friend, working together, to hurt you to the heart. The one to slander you and the other to get the news to you.” Sometimes friendship involves having the courage to speak the truth, even when it may be difficult or uncomfortable. But we must check our heart motives when sharing truth. Are we sharing with a spirit of love, kindness, and good intentions? Or are we sharing out of an eagerness to gossip? When sharing with our friends, it’s essential to approach those conversations with humility. And with the intention of seeking to understand and support others rather than tearing them down. Or worse yet, to embarrass or hurt them. True Christian friendship is anchored in truth, as it seeks to build each other up in love and righteousness. And true Christian friends are those committed to speaking truth in love, gently correcting and encouraging one another to grow in faith.

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January 7th – Psalm 41:12

Psalm 41:12

There is a quote that warns, “not everyone you fight is your enemy. And not everyone who helps you is your friend.” Throughout our lives we will experience hurt, betrayal, and disappointment at the hands of others. And in those moments we have a choice to make. Will that pain make us better or bitter? Better is using the hurt to grow closer to the Lord, and softening our hearts to the pain and needs of others. But bitter takes glee in retribution and seeing others misfortune. And it turns a blind eye to the suffering of another because its focus is only on self pity. We all fall short and sin daily against God. Yet from His wonderful love, He extends to us His unmerited grace and mercy. And He calls us to show that same grace and mercy. To repay evil with kindness, curses with blessings, and mistreatment with prayer. (Luke 6:27-28) And most importantly of all, if we see a need to meet that need. The way God meets all of ours.

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July 20th – Proverbs 17:17

Proverbs 17:17

Playwright Oscar Wide once said, “The burden of this world is too great for one man to bear, and the world’s sorrow too heavy for one heart to suffer.” It’s said you find out who your real friends are when you’re at your lowest. They are the ones who not only stay through the bad times, they offer to help carry the load. And if that load is due to falling in sin, they follow the words of Paul restoring, “such a one in a spirit of gentleness.” (Gal. 6:1) Real friends set aside their pride. For they know we all fall short daily, have moments of weakness, and need help from time to time. As Christians being a servant of the Lord is a great honor. But Jesus gives us an even greater honor by calling us friends. Therefore, from joyful hearts filled with thankfulness and love, may we mimic the friendship of Jesus to a hurting world, And, “while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.” (Gal. 6:10)

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What A Friend We Have In Jesus – Matthew 26

Matthew 26

“What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.” This hymn by Joseph M. Scriven, is one of my absolute favorites. It always brings up wonderful memories of my Grandmother and her sisters gathered around the organ singing with glee. And it’s also the first thing that enters my mind when I read Matthew chapter 26. …

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