A Few Good Friends
“There are good ships and wood ships, ships that sail the sea, but the best ships are friendships, may they always be.”
— Irish Proverb
Proverbs 18:24 (Amplified Bible)
But there is a true, loving friend who is reliable and sticks closer than a brother.
We value having good friends. We have made the effort to cultivate these relationships, while connecting others within our circle, growing strong, meaningful friendships.
Over the years, we have made many friends who have been so good to us that we have felt God’s hand directly bringing these kind souls into our lives. We have had friends move their family to another country to help support our ministry. Friends who offered us their home when we were in transition. Friends who invited us to spend holidays when we were far from home, and even stepped in as grandparents to our children. When we stepped out in ministry, we received continued support over the years from many of our friends.
Hebrews 10:24–25 (KJV)
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Recently, we watched as the Lord worked through our friends to help our family.
We felt the Lord put it on our hearts to attend a meeting in Colorado, but due to funds, we weren’t sure if it was possible. The Lord spoke to Grady through our daughter: “Just say yes! God will take care of you.” Grady gave it to God, and within a very short time we were offered a beautiful home to stay in, airline tickets, spending money, and even a car, completely covered. We got to see old friends who came bearing thoughtful gifts along with words of encouragement. The trip was a reset and a great reminder of God’s love for us both.
By waiting on God to come and resolve all our issues, we’re limiting ourselves from receiving the blessings He has for us. God is waiting on us to ask and receive all the good things He has planned for us, but we have to trust Him.
There is a great story in Mark’s Gospel about some friends who went out of their way to get their friend to Jesus. They carried him up to the roof of the home where Jesus was ministering, broke it open, and let him down in front of Jesus to be healed. These friends were resourceful and determined to help their friend get to Jesus. With their help, this man was healed.
Mark 2:1–12
We need good, solid friendships, and that means we need to be good, solid friends to the people God puts in our lives. Just as we pray for healing or finances, if we are short on friends, we can pray for the Lord to put people in our path.
Jesus calls us friends.
The Bible says that if we want friends, we should be friendly.
John 15:13–15 (KJV)
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
It might seem hard to accept that we must do as Jesus commands to be His friends, but when you read about what Jesus considers the most important commandment, it's love.
Matthew 22 in the Passion Translation puts it this way:
“Teacher, which command in God’s Law is the most important?”
37–40 Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.”
God wants us to have a relationship with Him as well as with others. Having close friends with whom we can both give and receive love is an essential part of our relationship with God.
We hope you and your friends are enjoying your summer.
Drop us a line and let us know how you’re doing. If you’re on this mailing list, we consider you a friend.
Blessings,
The O’Briens
If you are partnering with us, thank you! Your support helps us love on people who haven’t met Jesus yet.
