"Choose Your Friends Wisely!"

One year ago today, I had to have rotator cuff surgery after a fall down a set of stairs that completely dissected my rotator cuff from the joint. Before I went into surgery, I received this message from a close friend:

"Lord let your Holy Spirit guide the doctors and nurses today. We pray your

hands guide the hands of the surgeon, with his hands being an extension of your hands. Thank you for a successful surgery. Enable Rita to have a rapid, full recovery. In Your name, we pray, amen. 🙏"

God answers prayers! My surgery was smooth, my recovery was a breeze! In just a few months, my shoulder was fully restored when I was told it would be a year to recover fully. I am thankful for praying friends that care about me! I am blessed with a large circle of Godly friends!

God has used friendships, companionship, and fellowship to further His kingdom from the very beginning. Eve was created to be Adam's helpmate. The life of Jesus was based on building relationships. Relationships are what bring others to Christ. Think about the twelve disciples – a group of friends who followed Jesus and changed the world.

in Proverbs 18:24, which says, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” This verse is referring to the importance of having Godly friends with whom we can be vulnerable and honest. When we have Godly friends, their positive influence encourages us to be a better version of ourselves. Their wisdom and guidance can help us become more like Christ.

We are also reminded in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 that “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” God is telling us the importance of friendship and how having friends is a source of strength. Godly friends lift each other up when the other is down, speaking life into each other.

We can be greatly influenced by the people we choose to surround ourselves with. The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:33 that “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” This speaks to the power of the people we choose to surround ourselves with, and the influence they have over our character. Just as positivity breeds positivity, negativity breeds negativity.

When we make a conscious effort to surround ourselves with Godly people, we are more likely to make decisions that are in line with God’s will. As C. S. Lewis said, “The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.” To be successful in our Christian walk, we must focus on having Godly friendships. Surround yourself with friends that will lift you up, not tear you down. Choose your friends wisely! ©Rita Larson 7/21/2023

#GodyFriends #ChooseWisely #SpeakLife #OnWordandUpWord

Song of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOtMqixroVw