Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 29, 2014
You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:14-15
I recently wept when a friend died. He was not a close friend, but a friend nonetheless. His life stood for decency, common sense and compassion. I attended his funeral and once again was overcome by moments of emotion: both joy for his friendship with Jesus and grief for him being gone. I learned through my loss that friends mean something. And when I lose someone, I seem to appreciate them even more. Faithful friends are a gift from God–not to be taken for granted.
Jesus describes those of us who love and obey Him as His friends. We are not just faceless servants obeying His master, but we are affectionately called friends by our Lord Christ. Many children who grow up in the faith intently understand, “What a friend we have in Jesus.” Hence, as we grow older as followers of Jesus, we are meant to keep this childlike expression of friendship with Jesus. He’s our faithful friend, ever present to listen to us and to love us.
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).
Do your friends find you faithful, especially in their time of need? Perhaps there is a precious friend who needs your extra attention. In the past you have leaned on them, but now they need your shoulder to cry on and your prayers to support them. Even the most solid Christian need not suffer alone. Or a friend may need a voice of reality to remind them where they came from. True friends do not shy away from being a loving truth teller. Faithful friends speak up, even at the risk of the relationship. By God’s grace a tested friendship grows into a stronger friendship.
Because of our companionship with Christ, He makes known to us His Father’s heart. If we want to know the will of our heavenly Father, we go to His son Jesus and learn of Him. Because of our growing friendship with Christ, He continues to reveal to us the deep secrets of God. Like all relationships, the more we get to know one other, the more we understand each other. Everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before, because we know our faithful friend a little bit better.
“My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God” (Job 16:20).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for my faithful friend, Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Grow me into a faithful friend to my friends.
Related Readings: 1 Samuel 20:42; Proverbs 27:6; Matthew 12:50; James 2:23, 3 John 1:5
Post/Tweet today: We are not a faceless servant obeying His master, but are affectionately called friend by Jesus. #wisdomhunters
Additional Resource: Willow Creek Podcast- Shauna Niequist: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wiser-together-iron-sharpens/id327828246?i=318121190&mt=2
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Been struggling with this. This devotional really hit home. Thank you.
Wish I could share on Facebook. 🙁
Dear Tanika,
Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out to us after reading, “Faithful Friends.” We are thankful that this devotional blessed you. Isn’t it AWESOME when God speaks to us through His Word, other people and devotionals? HE loves us that much! I m sorry you have been struggling with this (as you said) but I rejoice in the fact you have such a loving, faithful friend in our Lord and Savior.
As the devotional stated, “He’s our faithful friend, ever present to listen to us and to love us.” Wow, what a role model HE is for those of us who love Him and who love our friends.
Tanika, we are thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter and look forward to hearing from you again. Have a wonderful day!
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
“A friend loves at all times…” Proverbs 17:17
Dear Tanika,
We are so sorry you are not able to share on FB and are currently looking into the problem. We hope you will share the Wisdom Hunters website address with others ad they will be able to subscribe to the daily devotional.
Our wonderful support tech has looked into this and said:
“The only thing I could think is that there may be browser restriction or something related to security. The reason it would work when it’s forwarded is because Outlook strips content from emails that it does not like. This is just a guess but it may stripping whatever the security is flagging allowing the link to work after it’s forwarded.”
Hope this helps. Please let us know if you are able to forward it in the future.
We are so thankful for you and look forward to hearing from you again in the future.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
“Be joyful always, pray continually, giving thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s Will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18