Friends to Keep Close

God has given us seven friends to help us on our journey through the perils of this life; where darkness prevails but will not win. Jesus, God’s son, went back to His kingdom but he promised he would give us someone to guide us and direct us through the dark world. And so let me introduce you to the best friends you will ever have.

Truth is our first friend; he carries the belt that holds us together so we will not fall into deception and lies. The father of lies is our worst enemy, his name is Satan. Our friend, Truth, will destroy lies every time. He is our go-to friend, when we feel confused. He is one of our closest and dearest friends.

Our second and most valued friend is Righteousness. She will always do the right thing not what she feels is right but what God says is right. Living with Righteousness will bring health and joy to everyone who walks with her. She protects our heart and fills us with the Love of the Father.

The third friend’s name is, Shoes of the Gospel. Shoes of the Gospel, will keep our feet from stumbling over rocky paths, he’ll lead us away from quicksand and keeps us on a firm foundation. Shoes of the Gospel will constantly give us new insights into the Spirit and tells us the words of life to live by and will teach us to help others how to walk.

For our fourth friend His name is Faith. Faith says walk with me and you will never fall down. I’ll take you into realms where only spirit can go. But you must trust and never doubt, don’t look with your eyes of the carnal mind…but see with your spirit-heart and trust me. For what you see, will not be what you expect. You must see beyond the natural. Our friend Faith, carries a shield, that protects our hearts when the enemy attacks us with his darts of fire. And when he throws spears of lies, the shield of Faith, will walk with us through hurt and pain and we will overcome. Faith never falls down. He is steadfast and concrete. Faith will always please the Father. Keep the shield polished and clean and never leave it behind.

Salvation is our fifth friend and gives us a helmet to protect our head. It covers our mind and gives us the mind of Christ. Salvation is a kind and loving friend. He saves us from fear and worry. Salvation will show us the way to go when we feel distressed and lost. Our friend Salvation gives us a brand new way of thinking. He will never let us stray off course and he will be with us forever. Salvation will take us all the way to the Kingdom of God.

Then there is our friend Spirit, he carries a sword. The sword will cut down every lie that tries to come against us. Spirit’s sword is so sharp it will cut through bone and marrow. Spirit gives each of us the same sword so that when the enemy comes at us, the sword of Spirit will annihilate the enemy’s weapons. Spirit will bring us peace in the midst of every battle and conquer every foe. Spirit’s sword is powerful. Keep it with you always. Spirit is Holy.

Our very best friend is The Spirit of Prayer. She is our closest and dearest friend. She will speak to the Father on our behalf and will show us things to come. She will never cease of asking. She will tell you what you need to know and she will always speak the truth in love and never judgment. The Spirit of Prayer is constant and is always with us. She doesn’t get tired. She never sleeps. She is always giving and never abuses or condemns. The Spirit of Prayer is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. She asks, she does not demand. She is humble but has a force that cannot be conquered nor destroyed. She has the ear of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. The Spirit of Prayer is faithful and determined; she will take you into the Holy of holies. God listens to the Spirit of Prayer and will answer her request. Never leave the Spirit of Prayer behind. Keep her with you at all times. She will be your greatest comfort and your greatest friend. Spirit of Prayer keeps all the friends together. She brings Truth, Righteousness, The Gospel, Faith, Salvation and the Spirit with her wherever she goes. When you walk with these friends, you are walking with God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. You will be one. These friends stick closer than a brother or a sister. You never walk alone.

~Marla Shaw O’Neill April 4, 2018

Ephesians 6:10-20 New King James Version (NKJV)

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.