True Friendship

                                             

As we sang this beautiful hymn last week at a memorial service, I was reminded of the friendship that Jesus offers each one of us. And as we contemplate all that Christ brings to this friendship it still baffles me why people choose to say 'no thanks' to this gift. As you read through these familiar words may the Spirit of Jesus fill you with grace and peace.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

What a friend we have in Jesus,

1. All our sins and griefs to bear!
   What a privilege to carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
   Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
   Oh, what needless pain we bear,
   All because we do not carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
   
2. Have we trials and temptations?
   Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discouraged—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Can we find a friend so faithful,
   Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows our every weakness;
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
   Cumbered with a load of care?
   Precious Savior, still our refuge—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
   Take it to the Lord in prayer!
   In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
   Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
   Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
   May we ever, Lord, be bringing
   All to Thee in earnest prayer.
   Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
   There will be no need for prayer—
   Rapture, praise, and endless worship
   Will be our sweet portion there. (Joseph Scriven)
   

Godfriend

"We need companions on the journey, godfriends.... who will keep us to a chosen narrow way of pilgrimage, who themselves are becoming friends of God." - Jim Cotter

I really like this idea of a 'godfriend' and Jim Cotter is right - we all need someone to walk alongside us as we follow Jesus. Just as I am seeking to become a friend of God, so I can help you along the way and then of course I can also count on your encouragement.

So who is that godfriend for you?

James 2:23 - "And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend."

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Don't call it friendship

 

What would you call Friendship? 
Is it eating together and keeping company with one another? Is it having similar interests or common goals? Is it speaking the same language or even coming from the same neighbourhood?

There is an African saying that argues that it is actually none of these at all. The saying suggests that we should only call it 'FRIENDSHIP' when we have wept together. Sharing the pain and trials of another person creates a bond that is hard to put into words.

 
"Eat and drink together:
talk and laugh together:
enjoy life together:
but never call it friendship 
until you have wept together." - An African Saying

"One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." - Proverbs 18:24

What do you think?

Living in Grace
D3LM3

The confidence of a friend

When we are blessed with good friends we know that we can confidently ask them almost anything and they will go out their way to help us. Is this the way we view God? Are we able to approach him with the confidence of a good friend?

"We are to ask with a beggar's humility, to seek with a servant's carefulness, and to knock with the confidence of a friend." - D.L.Moody

Proverbs 18:24 - One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Living in Grace
D3LM3