OUR BEST FRIEND

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”

John 15:12-14 KJV

Evangelist Henry de Fluiter wrote a beautiful hymn about our Saviour “Jesus, My Friend”.  “I have a Friend so dear, Constant and true is He, Filling my heart with cheer, So good to me.  He’s covered ev’ry sin and stain, His pow’r now makes me whole again, And soon with Him fore’er I’ll reign—Jesus, my Friend.”

Le­la B. Long wrote another inspiring and heart touching hymn about Jesus that I love “Jesus Is The Sweetest Name I Know”.  “There is no name in earth or Heav’n above, That we should give such honor and such love As the blessèd Name, let us all acclaim, That wondrous, glorious Name of Jesus.”

I have many wonderful friends that I love but the greatest and dearest Friend I have is Jesus.  It is a privilege just to say His precious Name.  O how I love Jesus.  He is the Joy of my heart, the reason I’m living and the reason I get out of bed.  One happy day I will see Him face to face and be with Him for all eternity.

We are to love everybody unconditionally but we need to be very careful when choosing close friends.  It only takes one person to lead us astray.  If the person does not love Jesus, I do not choose that person to be a close friend.  Our friends should praise Jesus just like we praise Him.

Heavenly Father, help us to choose close friends that lift up the Name of Jesus.  Please encourage and comfort all who are lonely, discouraged and hurting.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

July 15, 2018