“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.”
– Proverbs 27:9
 Today, I would like to conclude this encouraging series on unlocking passion and zeal and the power of the Holy Spirit in this process. My main message today is to be a friend. Don’t just be an ally—be a true friend. Here’s what friends do: they act in accordance with what’s right. Friends view goodness as an ideal that everyone can understand and strive to achieve. In contrast, allies think about what is best for their group or tribe. This focus on tribalism is a significant factor contributing to the political issues we face in America and around the world today. Everyone is behaving like an ally, while very few are being real friends. Allies prioritize the interests of their tribe, whereas friends focus on what is truly right.
A genuine friend will not hesitate to sit you down and, with love and care, help you confront your shortcomings. That is what we define as a true friend. Friends think independently, while allies often conform to established norms, believing, “This is how we do things here.” This mindset leads to propriety and a focus on fitting in. Instead of being an ally, strive to be a friend. That’s what people truly need today. Friend, the God of the universe, He loves you, and He’s on your side, He’s not against you. Live your life to glorify God, and do your best to be a friend to others. Showing God’s love to others will glorify Him, and if you seem a little strange to everybody else, that’s probably a good thing! I pray today that Christ is in your heart and that you will allow the Holy Spirit to set you free from propriety, fear, and anything keeping you from living with passion and zeal! |
Prayer
Holy Spirit, set me free from everything that hinders my passion and zeal.
Reflection
Do you have true friends who love and care for you despite your shortcomings?
If you’re unable to attend your local church or need some additional weekly inspiration, be sure to tune into Hour of Power online at hourofpower.org/episode.
3 Responses
Our government officials should all read this.
I agree with you Joyce a hundred percent!
I miss your service on TBN. When, where can I see it?
From,
South Jersey