FRIEND, FRIENDSHIP

This week we will be looking into Friendship, the Lord this on my heart for this week. "FRIEND" One attached to another by respect or affection 2- Acquaintance 3- One who is not hostile 4- One who supports or favors something. Friends can be torn apart by Jealously. Jealously is a dividing force strong enough to tear apart the mightiest of nations or the closest of friends. It forces you to separate yourself from what you were longing for in the first place. When you find yourself becoming jealous of others, try thanking God for their good fortune. Before striking out in anger consider what you could lose a friend, a job, a spouse. Can you can imagine what the special relationship was like with Moses and God? Do you ever think that something like that happening again is remote? Well my Bible tells me that Jesus Christ is " THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER " (Hebrews 13: 8). God and Moses talked face to face in the tent of Meeting, just as friends do. Have you ever asked yourself why did Moses find such favor with God? I've pondered and I'm certain that it truly was not because he was perfect, gifted, nor powerful. I realize it was just because the Father chose Moses, and Moses in turn relied whole heartedly on God's Wisdom and Direction. Friendship with God would be an honor as well as a true priviledge for me as I'm sure that it was for Moses. It was out of reach for the other Hebrews. But it is not out of reach for us today. Jesus called his Disciples and, by extension, all of his followers - his friends. He has called you to be his friend. Will you trust him as Moses did? LAST POINT: Because Jesus is Lord and Master,he should call us slaves; instead he calls us Friends. How comforting and Reassuring to be chosen as Christ's Friends. Because He is Lord and Master, we owe him our unqualified obedience, but most of all, Jesus asks us to obey him because we Love Him. Until Next Time... Jim,