Devotionals

---

Choose Your Friends Wisely – But Make Sure You Choose Some!

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. Psalm 1:1 (NKJV)

Knowing God's will for your life is important and so is walking in it. But like the old saying goes, 'No man is an island.' You need to surround yourself with good, upright people. But those people also need to be people that you can relate to, relax with and have a laugh with. You still need to be able to live life and have fun.

Jesus took His friends and company very seriously. He never expected any of his disciples to do anything alone, He insisted that they go out in twos. Company is very important. As well as being protective and fending away loneliness, it provides accountability and a 'pick-me-up' when you're feeling down.

I remember sitting in a seminar of a very famous pastor, from a large American church. He explained how he had his group of friends that he got away with, had a laugh with and could just be himself with. It reminded me of Jesus. His friends shared in his toil and his hardship, but also went out to dinner and visited in people's homes with him. They relaxed together and 'hung out' together. They were there for each other – Jesus was visiting Peter's house, when his mother-in-law was sick and Jesus had the opportunity to heal her (Matt 8:14-15). I imagine these men lived in each other's houses. You can almost hear their wives shouting (as they heard the door click open), “How many for dinner tonight?”

But Jesus took choosing those friends very seriously. He did not just open up to the first people who 'looked' like they may be good friends. He sought out those who he wanted to befriend and before he opened up more to them, he spent an entire night in prayer before choosing those to become disciples.

We can learn so much from Jesus. It's so important that we choose our friends wisely. Once you step into ministry, it can be difficult to have close friends, but it is important that you choose some, but choose them wisely. A few good people around you can save you from a lot of heartache. But be careful, as with our reading today from Psalm 1, make sure that you are choosing good company to open up to. Now I'm not suggesting that you don't have non-Christian friends. But be careful that those closest around you are good, godly people.

Proverbs 27:17 explains this perfectly: As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. (NKJV) So spend time praying and choosing those who will be around you in your ministry and will have that sharpening effect on your character.

Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, that you desire us to have friends, and not face this world alone. I pray that you will give me a spirit of discernment to know and choose wisely those who I can open up to and those that I should not. Help me to have good friends that I can have fun with as well as work alongside to bring more people to You. In Jesus name, Amen

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE