September 1, 2009, FRIEND
Proverbs 18:24b “… there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
John 15:13-15 (NASB95) 13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14 “You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends. . .[1]
Come to Jesus as a personal friend. For years I have made this a rule. Christ is more near, as personally present to me as any other person living; and when I have any troubles, trials and afflictions, I go to Him with them. When I want counsel I go to Him, just as if I could talk face to face with Him.
As a seven year old boy, God met me and took me to His bosom, and I would sooner give up my life than give up Christ, or that I should leave Him, or that He should leave me, and that I should have no one to bear my burdens, or tell about my sorrows. He is the only true confidant. He is worth more than all the world beside.
I know that He will have the same compassion on you as He had on me. When I laid my burden on Him, then He revealed Himself to me, and I have ever since found Him a true and sympathizing friend, just the friend you need. Go straight to Him! You do not need to go to this man or this church. He said, “I am the way, the Truth and the Life.”
Father God,
I praise you and worship you at the beginning of this new day. Thank you for giving your Son as your gift of love to me. Thank you for bearing the burdens of life that are too great to bear alone. Thank you Jesus, for being a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
May I be a representative of your love and grace this day, for I know that I am truly saved by Grace through faith, and not any works that I have done or might do.
In Jesus name, Amen.
[1] New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
