[Jesus speaking]
Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

It is easy to acknowledge someone, to stand by them and say you are friends when they are popular. It is much tougher to do this when they have fallen out of favor with the masses.

I have had some friends who have stuck with me through thick and thin. They acknowledged friendship with me when it wasn’t super popular to do so.

Jesus clearly articulates here that he is not looking for “fair weather” friends. And those “fair weather” friends will not gain anything in heaven from him either. He values loyalty, commitment, and fortitude in his friends.

What do I value in a friend? Will I be a friend that stands by another in the good and bad times?

Thank you, Lord, for serving me and loving me so well. Help me to acknowledge you in all I do. You are a true friend.