Findings On Friendships Proverbs: Tools For Living

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Findings On Friendships Proverbs: Tools For Living Well - 5 November 10/11, 2012 Pastor Michael Rochelle "A mirror reflects a man's face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses." Proverbs 27:19 (LB) Six Facts About Real Friends 1. They concentrate on QUALITY "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24 (NIV) "Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers." Proverbs 18:24 (GN)

2. They are cheerfully CONSIDERATE "Friendliness bears fruit for a man..." Proverbs 19:22 (Mof) "Love forgets mistakes. Nagging about them parts the best of friends." Proverbs 17:9 (LB)

3. They can carry a CONFIDENCE "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret." Proverbs 11:13 (NIV)

4. They are comfortably CANDID "Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted." Proverbs 27:5-6 (NIV) "An honest answer is the sign of true friendship." Proverbs 24:26 (GN)

Guidelines for being open … Compliment in public, correct in PRIVATE CORRECT when your friend is up not down Be CANDID only with someone who has a right to be candid with you

5. They are commonly CONSTRUCTIVE "As iron sharpens iron, friend shapes friend." Proverbs 27:17 (Knox) “Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (MSG) 6. They are clearly CONSISTENT "A friend loves at ALL times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17 (NIV) "Now we can rejoice in our wonderful relationship with God -- all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done in dying for our sins -- making us friends with God!" Romans 5:11 (NLT)