Good Morning,

The writing today supports the view that is commonly held by Christians that our best friend is Jesus. He pays attention, knows, and helps us as we go through life. He is the central figure of our environment. Karen wrote, "Jesus will take all your problems on His own shoulders and relieve you of your anxieties and/or heartache. He’s the best friend you’ve ever had. Not only the best, but the only perfect one."

Yes "what a friend we have in Jesus"!

Have a blessed weekend!
Karen Bennett
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today's Devotional

"Our Friend Jesus"

Written by

Karen Bennett

Over the course of the past few weeks, one of the old favorite hymns continues to pop into my mind. I must say, it has produced some great thinking and realizations.

“What A Friend We Have In Jesus” was a family favorite in our home. My parents managed to get an old upright piano which delighted us all. My dad, having grown up with a piano, played by ear. He was unable to read music, but he would sit down at the piano, tinker for maybe a minute at most, then play the song without a flaw.

It was phenomenal, a God-given talent. He played all sorts of music, but hymns were his favorites. “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” was sung in church on occasion, but at our house it was a regular almost every time Daddy sat down to play. Most of the words are forever in my mind, and what great ones they are to remember!

Jesus is our everything, our all in all. Certainly He is our Friend. Scripture is filled with references to friends and things Jesus Himself said. He called His disciples His friends.

“My command to you is this;

‘Love each other as I have loved you.

Greater love has no man than this,

that he lay down his life for his friends’.”

John 15:12-13

Jesus certainly proved that to be true. He willingly went to His death on the cross and was resurrected to reconcile us to the Father, bringing us the ultimate gifts of all time - salvation and eternal life with Him in heaven.

“A friend loves at all times.
Proverbs 17:17a.

Jesus’ love does not fluctuate! It’s steady and strong and unending. He knows us top to bottom, both inside and out, and loves us still! We have our best friend to turn to in all circumstances.

One hymn says,

“Oh what peace we often forfeit,
O What needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry

everything to God in prayer.”

Old Lutheran Hymnal # 457.

It’s so explicit in its description of the Friend Jesus is!

Don’t forfeit your peace of mind. Don’t delay in going to Jesus. You are heard! You are never ignored! You are loved! Jesus will take all your problems on His own shoulders and relieve you of your anxieties and/or heartache. He’s the best friend you’ve ever had. Not only the best, but the only perfect one. And, as He considers us His friends, shouldn’t we be good friends and share Him and His good news with others as He wants us to?

Dear Jesus, thank You for being our best and most beloved friend! Help us to never forget that You are always with us and will always be with us. We need you in every minute of our lives! Thank You for Your precious gifts of salvation and eternal life! Thank You for making us whole and reconciled to the Father. Help us to share this good news at every opportunity. In Your precious and most holy name we pray!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What a Friend We Have in Jesus"

Sung by

Mahalia Jackson