Grateful for Friends

 Greetings everyone!

Tomorrow is turkey day! What are you thankful for today? Today I am feeling particularly thankful for my friends. These people God has put in my life that I have fun with, share life with. These people who check on me, who challenge me, and encourage me. 

 

At the beginning of his letter to the Philippians, Paul also feels grateful for his friends in Philippi. So much so that he passionately proclaims in verse 3, “I thank my God every time I remember you.” How about you? Who are the people in your life that you thank God for every time you think of them? Make a list – let them know! 

 

Friends are a precious gift that we must never take for granted! 

 

Friends look out for us, even if it means protecting us from ourselves! King Solomon writes in Proverbs 27:6-7, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” Do you have friends who will call you out when they need too? Thank God for them and strive to be that kind of a friend to others!

 

Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” Do you have friends who encourage you? Who build you up? So many times I have been down for some reason and received a text or a card or an email or a phone call from a friend encouraging me and building me up. I am so grateful for those people and I strive to be that kind of friend myself!

 

Proverbs 17:22 reads, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Friends are people you have fun with, people you can laugh with. I love to laugh with friends, to play games and hang out. Who are those people in your life – thank God for them this thanksgiving!

 

Who are your friends? Be thankful for them and send them a text with Philippians 1:3 – “I thank my God every time I think of you.” 

 

I love you church! 

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