Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

February 29
Friday


THE BEST
FRIEND

READ:
John 15:9-15
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Greater love has no one
than this, than to lay
down one's life for his
friends. __John 15:13
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It's an honor I cherish, and one I seek to live up to--but I don't always do it. It's the privilege of hearing my wife say, "Your my best friend," which she does often. As much as I love her, though, I occasionally do something that is not so "best friend-ish."

In reality, no matter how hard we try, we cannot live up to the high standard of being a friend who never lets others down. We all fail from time to time--forgetting to do what we should or simply allowing selfishness to build a barrier between us.

As believers, we take comfort in knowing that we are called a friend of God, and He is a true friend who will never falter. Michael Gungor's joyous song "Friend of God" captures the wonder of this relationship when it asks, "Who am I that You are mindful of me?"

Abraham was called "the friend of God," and that friendship was related to his faith (2 Chron. 20:7; James 2:23). Jesus explained how we can receive that designation as well. He said to His disciples, "You are My friends if you do whatever I command You' (John 15:14). There is no better friend, for we know that He will never leave us nor forsake us
(Heb. 13:5).

Looking for the best friend ever? You can't do better than the Lord Himself.__Dave Branon
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`````````````I've found a Friend, O such a Friend!``````````````````
`````````````````He love me ere I knew Him;````````````````````
```````````````He drew me with the cords of love,`````````````````
`````````````And thus He bound me to Him. __Small```````````````
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Jesus is the only faultless Friend you'll ever find.

***************Today's Bible Reading __ John 15:9-15**************

9 As the Father loved Me, I
also have loved you; abide
in My love. 10 If you keep
My commandments, you
will abide in My love, just
as I have kept My Father's
commandments and abide
in His love. 11 These things
I have spoken to you, that
My joy may remain in you,
and that your joy may be
full. 12 This is My
commandment, that you
love one another as I have
loved you. 13 Greater love
has no one than this, than to
lay down one's life for his
friends. 14 You are My
friends if you do whatever I
command you. 15 No longer
do I call you servants, for a
servant does not know what
his master is doing; but I
have called you friends, for
all things that I heard from
My Father I have made
known to you.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The two themes in this passage are "abiding in Jesus" and
"friendship with Jesus." To "abide" is to stay, continue, or remain in
a given place, state, or relation. In the Old Testament, Moses is the
only other person besides Abraham who is privileged to be called a
friend of God (Es. 33:11; Isa. 41:8). This privilege of being a friend
of Jesus is now accorded to every believer who abides in Him. What
ties both themes together is the believer's obedience to God's Word.
To abide in Christ is to obey Him (John 15:10), and a friend of Jesus
does whatever Her commands (v.14). __SKT