Counting The CostSample

FRIENDSHIPS:

Did you know that God wired you for friendships? We were never meant to walk through life alone. We need friends in our lives who will help us become who God created us to be. Have you ever heard the phrase “you are what you eat”? I’m not so sure that is true, but I can say that a more accurate statement is “you are who you surround yourself with”. Proverbs 13 says that if we surround ourselves with wise people, we will become wise, but if we surround ourselves with foolish people, we end up paying for it. Proverbs 12 says that righteous people choose their friends carefully. 

So many stories of pain and regret start with “I had these friends…” We don’t blame our friends for our mistakes, but the truth is that the people we put ourselves closest to usually end up determining who we become. If I say I want to get to California but get in a bus that says is heading for New York with a bunch of people who plan to go to New York, I can’t be surprised when I end up in New York. Not only did I not make my destination, I ended up farther away than when I started. It’s the same for us; the people we choose to roll with in our lives will determine whether we end up closer to Jesus or farther away. 

Action Point:

If you really want to live for Jesus and experience “life to the fullest” as Jesus promised He came to give us, you must think about the people you surround yourself with. 

Question(s):

Are they going to be constantly pulling you down, or will they help you grow? Not only do you need to consider your friends but consider what it would look like for you to be a friend who encourages, challenges, and helps your friends become more like Jesus.

Are your closest friends heading toward Jesus or away from Him?

Who are 2 friends (or possible friends) who you think will help you the most in your relationship with Jesus?

How can you be a friend that others would look for?