A True Friend is Trustworthy. God is Trustworthy

 God places a very high value on friendship.

A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17 (NKJV)

Most of us want to be loved. We want to have true friends. We want our friends to be there for us, but sometimes we forget that friendship is also a responsibility. If you want to have good friends, be a good friend.

A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV)

Friendship is so important but you will sometimes be disappointed or even deeply hurt when friends misunderstand you, let you down or even turn against you. But there is someone who will never let you down. God is always faithful.

Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend, Nor go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbour nearby than a brother far away. Proverbs 27:10 (NKJV)

The Bible makes it clear that friendship is a very good thing, a gift from God and an extremely important part of life.

And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. James 2:23 (NKJV)

Jesus Himself valued friendship very highly.

He said these very important words to His disciples shortly before He died on the cross. 

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15:15 (NKJV) 

A true friend can be trusted. Are you trustworthy? Can your friends trust you? Can God trust you? A true friend can be trusted with secrets. Can you keep secrets? 

True friends share interests. Do you value what God values? God is interested in what concerns you. 

Goals, Callings and Priorities

 It is so important to have goals for your life. Without clear goals in life, we go round in circles without achieving anything significant.

If you have ten priorities, you have no priorities.

But it can also be dangerous to have too few priorities. There are very successful doctors, preachers and business people who have neglected their spouses or children.

I love classical music. When I think of the greatest composers, I always see amazing achievements but abject failures in their family lives.

But one composer shone with heavenly glory.

Johann Sebastian Bach was so devoted to music that he damaged his eyesight studying sheet music by candlelight. He was extremely focused, but his first priority was the love of God.

He was also a faithful husband and a very good father.

He had many children and some of them also became excellent composers.

There are fanatics who only have one goal in life, but there are also duty-bound people who only want to be good Christians without a clear idea of a particular goal or personal calling from God.

What would it be like if Paul only wanted to be a good Christian and nothing more?
What if Johann Sebastian Bach only wanted to be a good father and church organist and nothing more?

Do you only have one goal in life? Perhaps you should ask yourself whether you are perhaps too self-centred or whether you are neglecting some important duties.

Do you have a clear idea of your identity and calling or do you only have a vague idea that you should be a good Christian?

Ask God to show you what he has created you for.

Every person is unique. God has created you for important tasks. Not only famous people are important in God's eyes. God has a plan for your life.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;

if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;

if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Rom 12:6–8 NIV

You may think you are not a prophet or teacher, but you can study the Bible and teach your children.

You pray for someone and an encouraging word comes to you for that person. Maybe you should share that thought with the person.

Maybe you are a practical person. You are a good gardener. Your neighbour is sick and his garden is unkempt. If you work in his garden, you might be able to win your neighbour for Jesus.

If you like to play the piano or guitar, maybe you can visit a retirement home and encourage the elderly with music.

We all have talents and abilities that we can use for Jesus.

What is your thing? Who needs your help? When you pray about it, what comes to mind?