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A Friend

Oh, how good it is to have a friend!

How wonderful it is to be a friend!

At some point in life and for most of us it is very often that we need a friend or that we have an opportunity to be a friend to someone. Of all the beautiful things in life nothing is better than a friend.

Blessed is the person that has a friend and for some we are blessed to have several in our lives.

Friendship is a two-way relationship.

I am blessed to have many true, real friends. When times of testing and struggle have come my way I have found in some people the kind of friendship that is a true reflection of God and His Friendship.

I first want to say thanks to my friends. You are to me the most beautiful people on earth. You have stood with me and helped me and blessed me in the most wonderful ways. Just recently my wife Denise and I have been so blessed with friends who have helped and blessed us so much with their efforts, love and unshakeable commitment. I remember saying to Denise several times in our lives ‘now we will see who our friends are and who our acquaintances are’.

Sometimes only in critical times will you know the difference, and there is a big difference!

For years now I have known the difference and have sought to develop friends. Knowing many people does not mean that you have many real friends.

You will find out whom your real friends are when they have nothing to gain from being your friend. You will know who your friends are when you inconvenience them or your friendship may cost them something.

Real friends have a long history together. Each helping the other and each action of love like a spotless pearl making the most beautiful of necklaces. I have friends wearing the finest of jewelry! Wow, that is profound even if I did write it. Ha!

Sometimes people would like to be our friend but unlike God it is not humanly possible to be real friends with many people. There is just not enough time in one’s life. To have a two-way friendship takes time and effort.

Friendship requires not only commitment but also availability.

A friend is a reflection of real love. Friendship brings out the best in all involved.

I just want to say that often we focus on who is our friend and who cares for us. It must be equality true that I consider what kind of a friend I am. Am I to others what I want them to be for me? Am I reaching out, staying in touch? Seeing a need and meeting it. Am I forgiving, loving and helpful? Am I faithful?

Often a friend may be hurting and even withdraws a bit. This is not the time to forsake them or even to be offended, but it’s the time to reach out and care and love and understand. Sometimes the best thing a friend can say is, ‘I understand’ or ‘I’m sorry’ and just ‘be with you’.

A friend

“A friend loves at all times.”

(Proverbs 17:17 in the Holy Bible)

“He who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor,

nor does he take up a reproach against his friend.”

(Psalms 15:3 in the Holy Bible)

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

(Proverbs 18:24 in the Holy Bible)

Betrayed

“Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread,

has lifted up his heel against me.”

(Psalms 41:9 in the Holy Bible)

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”

(Proverbs 27:6 in the Holy Bibles)

Immediately he (Judas) went up to Jesus and said,

“Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.

(Matthew 26:49-50

How sad and tragic that it is most often the ‘friend’ that betrays. It happened to Jesus and it has happened to many of us.

God

“So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend .”

(Exodus 33:11 in the Holy Bible)

“But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen,

the descendants of Abraham My friend .

(Isaiah 41:8 in the Holy Bible)

“And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God .”

(James 2:23 in the Holy Bible)

Oh the matchless honor of being a friend of God. Moses and Abraham were God’s friends. How about you? What about me?

“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.”

(John 15:15 in the Holy Bible)

“And I say to you, My friends.”

(Luke 12:4 in the Holy Bible)

Jesus here calls His followers friends. They had been His servants but now they had become friends. Oh, my passion is to be a true friend of Jesus. How I love for Jesus to call me His friend.

I have often said to God, “Should you want to talk with someone about anything, Lord. You can talk to me. Anything on your mind that you want to share with a human on earth then I am available. You can talk to me. Anything you want me to do, just let me know and ask me, my desire is to please you and do Your will’. I desire nothing more than to live in fellowship with my Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit for the glory of God.

I have many great friends but as I write this, my great consideration is am I a great friend to my friends. Lord, help me to be a friend.

Besides God, my best friend in this life is my wife Denise. How blessed I am.

Pilgrim followers of Jesus,

Arthur and Denise Blessitt

Luke18: 1