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(Photo Credit: Cristen Smith https://www.facebook.com/cristen.smith.1656)

Last night, Monday to be exact I have been having a home Bible study for local women. I have really enjoyed the past two weeks we have gathered. Some are old friends some are brand spanking new. As I was listening to them speak, I repeatedly heard them bring up these words. I am lonely, I have little or no connection to my fellow sisters in the faith, I have never been mentored or discipled by another woman. To me, someone who is called to minister to other women realized at that moment that Jesus was giving me just what I prayed for and what I believe they had also longed for. Women’s Ministry is important, and I want to stress that. Women need ministering to, and there are important issues that need to be talked about and prayed about with other women.

I can’t be the only girl that seems like this?  I can’t be the only hungry girl for scriptures? I can’t be the only girl that wants mentorship? What I have found in six years of ministering to women is this:

  • Women acknowledge that they need Jesus on a more intimate level.
  • Women want to understand and rightfully divide scriptures.
  • Women want discipleship, fellowship, and friendship.

Cristen

(Photo credit: Cristen Smith https://www.facebook.com/cristen.smith.1656)

Those are the three major points I hear over and over again. Today I really want to address godly friendships and the scriptures that really give us insight into healthy and meaningful sisterhood relationships. I am reminded of this scripture

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11

This is how we navigate life, we store up the word in our hearts, so we know what the standard of relationships is and even when we choose wrong to help us navigate our way back to Jesus’ standard.

So here we go…

The first point I want to make is this:

Friendships can be essential or detrimental 

Here is scripture to help us have wisdom in our friendships with each other. Remember, iron sharpens iron. We can help each other with these guidelines and standards. Remember no one is perfect, but if we see these qualities, we can understand that these relationships will be detrimental to our hearts.

Proverbs 20:19English Standard Version (ESV)

19 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets;
    therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.[a

 

  • Point being don’t associate with a gossip

 

Proverbs 22:24-25English Standard Version (ESV)

24 Make no friendship with a man given to anger,
    nor go with a wrathful man,
25 lest you learn his ways
    and entangle yourself in a snare.

English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

  • Don’t associate with a person with a hot temper

Proverbs 24:21-22English Standard Version (ESV)

21 My son, fear the Lord and the king,
    and do not join with those who do otherwise,
22 for disaster will arise suddenly from them,
    and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?

  • Don’t associate with a disloyalty

 

Proverbs 28:7English Standard Version (ESV)

7 The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,
    but a companion of gluttons shames his father.

  • Don’t associate with self-indulgence

Proverbs 29:3English Standard Version (ESV)

3 He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
    but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.

  • Don’t associate with immorality

 

Proverbs 4:23-27English Standard Version (ESV)

23 Keep your heart with all vigilance,
    for from it flow the springs of life.
24 Put away from you crooked speech,
    and put devious talk far from you.
25 Let your eyes look directly forward,
    and your gaze be straight before you.
26 Ponder[a] the path of your feet;
    then all your ways will be sure.
27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
    turn your foot away from evil.

  • Most importantly watch over your heart ❤

 

Proverbs 13:20English Standard Version (ESV)

20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

 

  • Don’t associate with the fool

 

Friendship is a beautiful and an excellent thing, but they can be destructive and deadly too. Building godly friendships means we need to forget ourselves and ask ourselves these questions.

  • How can I build them up?
  • How can I meet their needs?

 

Another point I want to draw out is this are we willing to risk rejection? Sometimes we when we won’t settle for less we will get rejected by others. Are we prepared to risk that? Are we willing to love sacrificially? Another question I ask myself is this: Am I ready to love them at whatever costs? Am I willing to commit myself to their spiritual growth?

Friendship is not just taking, but a large part is giving your time, energy, and love. I am praying today we take each scripture and not apply them to others, but to ourselves and ask ourselves this question:  HOW DO I MEASURE UP AS A FRIEND TO THESE SCRIPTURES?

Lord, help us be good to one another. Lord, help us to cultivate beautiful and meaningful relationships with our fellow sisters. Help us, Lord, to be honest with you and ourselves on our weaknesses. Lord, I thank you so very much for setting the standard of love. Lord, I pray for each one of my sister-friends today. I ask that you would touch them and give them wisdom in how to be an excellent friend. Heal our broken spots, Lord so we can walk in love with one another. In the mighty name of Jesus, I ask these things. Amen!