An old friend is the best "antique" one can have around, as they will stand by you in both good and bad times of life.  The word "friend" is found in 20 different books of the Bible.  In the Book of Exodus, we are told that God spoke to Moses "face to face," as a man speaketh unto his friend.  Can you imagine our Lord speaking face to face to Moses?  Another Old Testament Saint who was called a friend of God is Abraham.   Abraham was faithful and was a friend of God.  He did not walk by sight but leaned on God in faith.

 

 

 It is good to have friends, but there is no greater title one could be given than to  be called "a friend of God."

 In this life we will have many friends.  Some will stay by us in not only the good times but also the hard times of life. 

 

 

Many will walk away in time of trouble.  Our Lord is a friend who will  always be there and never leave or forsake us.  It has been said that  "a friend walks in when the rest of the world walks out." 

We are told in the Book of Proverbs that a friend loves at all times. This could be called the true test of a friend as one who will be faithful.

 

 

A friend is one who knows all your faults and loves you anyway.   Friends reach for your hand and touch your heart.  A true friend will always try to see the best in you even when giving constructive criticism to help in this life.  Faithful are the wounds of a friend, as these wounds will be from a motive to  bring help and healing into a life. 

 

Many of us also have friends we have met in Christian groups on the internet.  Although we have never seen them face to face, we have met them "heart to heart."  We share the same Lord and Savior and many will walk into our lives to help us just when we need them the most.  These encourage and show God's love as they share their time and efforts to help us. and as we pray one for another, we know there is no distance in prayer.  I am thankful for the wonderful Christian friends I have met who are always there when needed,  and who have been so very helpful.  If there were one verse to describe these friends it would have to be this verse, which tells us a friend loves at all times.  These friends show forth the love of Jesus and are such a blessing.

 

 

As we think on  friends, may we always remember Christ Jesus as  a friend who will be closer than a brother and one on whom we can always depend.  It really is a privilege to be able to carry all our burdens to Him in prayer.  The old song says, "Oh what needless pain we bear ......all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.  If we will only give our burdens to the Lord, He will bear them for us.  He is the only friend who can give us a peace that passes our understanding and joy which is strength.   

 

 

Thanks to the Lord for our friends we have been given, but even more, we give thanks that we are friends of God. 

Blessings in Christ,

Jo Ann Kelly (c) 2002

Friends are given by God above And many come into our life through the years, They help brighten our day with words they say, And are always there to share our joy and tears.       A friend loves at all times, As they try to see the very best, A friend will be beside you to comfort your heart, In good times or in life's many tests.       Friends bring joy and laughter As they share right from the heart, And a true friend will help you get back up, If  you fall and need a brand new start.       Friends are a joy when God's love they share Sent by God and they show how much they care, Our Lord came as a friend  and on Him we can depend, He will take our cares and all our burdens He will bear.       Jo Ann Kelly (c) 9/2002 J. P.'s Inspirations

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Midi: Friends by Michael W. Smith

 

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