Friendship

Last night our Praise Team under the direction of Mrs. Debra Williamson led us in "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." It was a special moment of the Holy Spirit ministering His comfort and strength.

Here are some thoughts about friends and friendship - and remember Jesus is the best friend you will ever have.

Exodus 33:11 "Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend...."

II Chronicles 20:7 "Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?"

James 2:23 speaking of Abraham - "And he was called the friend of God”.

God responds to Moses as a friend and calls Abraham His friend. WOW

Then the Proverbs speaks most of friendship:

17:17 "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity”.

18:24 "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

The purest use of the word "friend" is John 15:13 speaking of Jesus but again setting a standard of friendship, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down their life for his friends.” Verse 15 - "...but I have called you friends,....”

Benjamin Franklin said, "Be civil to all; sociable to many; familiar with few; friend to one; enemy to none."

1. Real friends last over time.

2. Real friends last ("survive") through trials and troubles.

Jesus is a REAL friend. He will last for all eternity and He is the one who saved us in our deepest need and worst trial.