UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, written by Pastor Young Kim of Grace Covenant Church in Philadelphia, was originally posted on June 18, 2013.  Young is a graduate of University of Illinois (BS), Biblical Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Westminster Theological Seminary (MA). 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Friendship”

Proverbs 18:2, 14, 22, 24 (NIV)

“Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions” (v. 2); “The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?” (v. 14); “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord” (v.22); “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (v.24).

We all need good friends and, here, we find that God identifies us as His friend.  In the OT, we see Moses and Abraham being called friends of God (Ex. 33:1; 2 Chron. 20:7), but in the NT, we find Jesus calling believers His friends.  What does it mean to you that you are a friend of God?  What does it mean that Jesus no longer calls us just His servants but friends?  Suffice it to say, having God and Jesus as our friends show how friendship can be so powerful.  

So, what kind of friend are you to those around you?  Friendship can help you passionately pursue Jesus, or it can ruin your spiritual fervor.  Do you encourage others to pursue Jesus? One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  I thank God for the friendships that God has brought into my life. 

This morning, spend time praying for a friend who encourages you in Christ. 

Prayer: Lord, I lift up my fellow AMI pastors and pray that they will continue to pursue Jesus with great passion and wisdom.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Ezekiel 10-11