#Jesus - Daily DevotionalsSample

#BeAFriend (Chlöisu Burkhalter)

Life as Jesus and his disciples lived continued to be the way of life for the first Christians in many small communities. In Acts 2 we read how the first Christians exercised love and helpfulness toward each other. They were there for each other, wanted what is best for one another; they shared their hearts.

In the same way, God uses people today to show his love and bring out the best in us. We are in need of other people who recognize our potential, encourage, and support us. We need others who believe in us and help us become the person God has called us to be.

And the people around us – in our church, Smallgroup, our friends and family –also depend on being supported in such a way. This is why it’s important we meet others in our communities with the kind of goodwill we ourselves would like to receive.

Any relationship that lasts a while will also go through challenging times. It can cause a lot of efforts and inconveniences to figure out what someone really needs. In order to find out, we need to put our own needs on the shelf and serve others.

Jesus showed us the way and he even gave his life for us. There will always be a cost to have real fellowship. This is an indispensable mark of true friendship. The beauty lays in the fact that such friendships bring us closer to the essence of who God is. And that is what will change us and those around us forever.

Actionstep:

If you want good friends, be one yourself! Are you the kind of person who meets those around you with uncompromising goodwill? Serve someone in your surrounding in a practical way today.