In the days of trench warfare during World War I, a soldier asked a superior if he could go out into “no man’s land” and retrieve his friend who had been seriously wounded.  His officer said, “Son, you can go, but I wouldn’t if I were you; your friend is probably dead.  If you go out there in that hail of gunfire, you’ll be throwing your life away, but you can go if you want to.”

The young soldier did go.  He found his friend and somehow managed to hoist him onto his back and drag him to safety.  The two of them tumbled onto the floor of the trench.

The officer chided the young soldier, “See, I told you it wasn’t worth it.  Your friend is dead and now you are wounded!”

“Your were right about my friend being dead.  But when I got to him he was still alive, and his last words to me were – ‘Jim, I knew you would come’.”

If you have one friend like Jim who strengthens you with prayers, blesses you with love, and encourages you with hope, you are a rich person.

In our culture today, friends like these can be hard to come by.  How can someone develop a friend that will stay true to him?  The answer is found in the Word of God.  The wisest man who ever lived wrote, “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly…”  (Proverbs 18:24)
There are several simple ways to develop friends.
The following are just a few suggestions:

1.When you are with people, be aware of their likes and dislikes.
2.Remember a person’s birthday and anniversary.
3.Take interest in and cultivate relationships with your    friend’s children.
4.Become need sensitive.
5.Keep in touch by phone or a note.
6.Express what you like about your relationship with another person.
7.Serve your friends in thoughtful, unexpected ways.

Practice these simple suggestions and you will be amazed how others will be drawn to your friendliness.

“There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
“A friend loveth at all times.”
– Prov. 18:24b; 17:17a