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Together in Christ: 'A Velcro® Friend' — Proverbs 17:17 Friday, May 31, 2024 A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. — Proverbs 17:17 NLT Key Thought How did we survive before Velcro® and zip ties? These two fastening inventions prove themselves useful almost daily in our households. They hold together many things at, in, and around our houses. They're handy, durable, and dependable. Isn't that what we need in our friendships and spiritual relationships — a loyal friend with an enduring commitment and a dependable presence? Many people want to be our "friends" when things are going well. They're happy to accompany us when we have money. They're loyal to us as long as we are well and can run around doing fun stuff with them. But will they be there during tough times, when money is scarce, or life is hard? This genuine friend will help us handle the ups and downs of life's messes. [1] These are what I like to call "Velcro® friends" — people who stick with us through thick and thin! And, if we are going to have "Velcro® friends," then we had better be "Velcro® friends" to others! [1] Galatians 6:2, 1 John 3:18 NIV; Romans 12:15 NIV. TODAY'S PRAYER Father, please keep people in my life that are Spirit-filled and who will commit to being a "Velcro® friend" in my life. Be with me, Lord, as I commit to being that kind of friend to others. I trust the Holy Spirit to empower me to love and produce an endless supply of Your love, [A] O God, from within me that will flow out of me and into the lives of others who need Jesus. In Jesus' mighty name, I pray. Amen.

[A] Romans 5:5.

John 7:37-39.

RELATED SCRIPTURE READINGS

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Proverbs 18:24, 27:6, 9, 10