FREEDOM40 - 40-Day Men’s Challenge to Live in FreedomSample

DAY 34

REFLECT + FOCUS

Jesus chose twelve men to walk with for three years.

Jesus also had three - Peter, James and John - with whom he had a particularly deep relationship. And then John is called “the disciple who Jesus loved”. It is believed that he had a particularly close friendship with him.

I believe these groupings are key to how we need to relate with one-another as brothers in Christ - one very close, deep friend; three or so close, trusted friends; and twelve or so men to walk with daily. Exact numbers are not important, but rather the nature of the relationships.

Relationships are difficult. It takes humility, time, effort, risk and perseverance - to build friendships with brothers in Christ - but it’s well worth it.

God wants to flow His blessing to you, through others, and to others, through you.

(Please listen to the interviews in the video.)

I hope that during FREEDOM40 you have had the opportunity to build deep and lasting friendships with some men.

I encourage you to make it a priority to meet regularly and build one another up in Christ.

And if you are yet to develop the deep friendships that you would like, rather than seeking those friendships - I encourage you to just simply be a friend to someone - practice what it means to love someone unconditionally in the love of Christ.

Ask God to lead you to someone to be their friend.

SHOUT

As you declare today’s shout, ask God about who and how you can encourage and build up today. Ask Him for ways to practically build lasting friendships with your brothers.

Encourage one another,
Build up one another.
First Thessalonians five eleven

DISCOVERY BIBLE

Continue to discover God’s heart for us through His word to us in John 15:9-16.

What is God showing you through this passage? Take notes and share some thoughts with your brothers, as you pray for one another.

(*Some Discovery Bible passages have been updated since the original. We add the previous passage for reference if you need: Acts 9:32-43.)