Jesus is a friend

You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do. ~John 15:14 (AMPCE)

Being a friend of a famous athlete or movie star is one thing but being a friend of Jesus is a whole different story.  Yet how often do we hear people name dropping their Lord and Savior?  But those who do definitely seem to stand out in a crowd.  Jesus tells us if we obey Him then we are His friends.  Are you friends with Jesus?  Do you know what keeps friends close?  Love!  When we love someone, we want to do right by them.  We don’t want to make them look bad or hurt their feelings.  Jesus came to reconcile us to a right relationship with our Holy Father and to teach us to love others.  That is why He said we would be His friends if we continued to follow His teaching.  The Lords teaching was all about loving God and loving others.  Obedience to what Jesus taught is what keeps us in fellowship with God and man and fellowship is of vital importance to God.  It should be important to us as well.  Walking in harmony with others puts us in a position to be able to live better and longer.   Discord destroys and leaves a bad aftertaste!  Generations can be affected by discord in families, churches and even societies.  God sent His Son to die to empower us to shake off the chains of fear, jealousy, anger, bitterness and wrath.  We have been empowered to live a higher life that doesn’t slum in the emotions that bring the rest of the world down.  We have also been predestined to enjoy a harmonious relationship with God through the presence of His Holy Spirit in us.  How much closer could someone get?

The Lord doesn't promise us a problem free life, but He does promise to be our friend through it all.  There are times in all of our lives when it’s just us and Him.  Our family, friends and even our counselors will not be able to intimately understand what we are going through like our Lord and Savior.  He promises to be with us through the darkest of dark days.  He tells us in Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (NIV)  Have you been through a fire?  How about a flood?  We have all been through devastating experiences.  But notice the difference it makes when you don’t have to go through troubles alone.  Those of us who know Jesus as our personal friend will attest, we couldn't have made it through without Him.  If you or someone you know is going through a difficult experience, introduce them to Jesus.  Drop His name and share what He has brought you through.  Encourage them to talk to Him, to listen for His voice and obey what He says.  Scripture teaches that in the Lord’s presence there is fullness of joy, and that joy is despite our circumstances. 

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. ~Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)

What trouble are you going through today? Are you ready to be promoted and experience the grace of God on a new level?

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