Go Deeper this week with this 5-Day Devotional: Friends That Lift, Not Limit
Day 1: The Value of True Friendship
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – 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.
Reflection: Friendship is a gift from God. True friends don’t just celebrate with us in good times—they lift us when we fall. Think about the people in your life. Do you have friends who encourage you in your faith? Are you that kind of friend to others?
Life Application: Make a list of the people who have been “lifters” in your life. Reach out and thank them today. If you struggle to find these kinds of friends, ask God to lead you to relationships that will help you grow in Him.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for the gift of friendship. Help me to be a friend who encourages and lifts others closer to You. Lead me to relationships that honor You. Amen.
Day 2: Bringing Others to Jesus
Scripture: Matthew 9:1-8 – Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
Reflection: The friends in this passage were determined to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus, even breaking through a roof to do so. Their faith impacted their friend’s healing and forgiveness. Do you have friends who push you toward Jesus? Are you that friend for others?
Life Application: Identify one person in your life who needs Jesus. Pray for them today, and consider a simple way to encourage them—maybe invite them to church, send them a Bible verse, or share your testimony.
Prayer: Lord, give me the courage to be a friend who leads others to You. Show me ways to share Your love and truth with those around me. Amen.
Day 3: Givers vs. Takers
Scripture: Proverbs 27:17 – As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Reflection: There are two types of people in relationships: givers and takers. Givers invest time, energy, and love into others. Takers only look for what benefits them. True friendship isn’t about what we can get, but what we can give.
Life Application: Reflect on your friendships—are you more of a giver or a taker? Ask God to help you develop a servant-hearted approach to your relationships. Find one practical way to serve a friend today. Prayer: Lord, help me to be a giver in my relationships. Teach me to love and serve others the way You love me. Amen.
Day 4: Choosing the Right Friends
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:33 – Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
Reflection: Who we surround ourselves with influences who we become. Friends that lift will challenge, encourage, and strengthen your walk with Christ. Friends that limit will pull you into sin, negativity, or complacency. Who are you spending time with?
Life Application: Evaluate your closest relationships. Are they drawing you closer to God or pulling you away? Ask God for wisdom in choosing the right community and for boldness to set boundaries where needed.
Prayer: Lord, help me to surround myself with people who strengthen my faith. Give me wisdom to cultivate friendships that honor You. Amen.
Day 5: Jesus, the Ultimate Friend
Scripture: John 15:13 – Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Reflection: Jesus is the perfect example of a friend that lifts. He laid down His life for us, offering salvation and a restored relationship with God. He invites us to be His friends, walking daily in His love and truth. Life Application: Spend time today reflecting on your friendship with Jesus. Are you making time for Him? Are you leaning on Him as your closest companion? Make a commitment to grow closer to Him through prayer and His Word.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for being the friend who loves me unconditionally. Help me to walk closely with You and reflect Your love in my friendships. Amen.
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