Beech Tree News Network

•    I have a friend who is interested in my spiritual welfare (Lk. 19:10), and has been even at times when I have not been interested.

•    I have a friend who wants the best for me, even at times when I did not want what was the best for me.

•    I have a friend who loves me (Jn. 15:13), and has loved me at times when I was his enemy.

•    I have a friend who forgave me of my past sins when I repented of them and was baptized (Acts 2:38). He also stands ready to forgive and accept me back when I as a Christian repent of sin and return to him (Acts 8:22; I Jn. 1:9). He does this consistently and without fail.

•    I have a friend who does not fail, and who can comfort and help me when no one else cares for me.
 
    Who is my friend? My friend is the Lord Jesus Christ. How do I know He is my friend? I know this because He said to the apostles (and by application to me), “You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you” (Jn. 15:14-15). He loves me and I love Him (I Jn. 4:19; Jn. 14:15).
 
    That this love did not begin with me first loving God, but with God first loving me is a beautiful, and humbling truth (I Jn. 4:10, 19; Rom. 5:8; Jn. 3:16; Eph. 2:4-5; Titus 2:3-5). He did not demand that I first do something so as to be found “worthy” of love. Instead, because God loved me, He sent His Son into the world. This Son, because He loved me, died on the cross as a sacrifice for my sins (I Jn. 2:2; I Tim. 2:6; Matt. 20:28; Jn. 1:29)!
 
    Therefore, for those who belong to Christ, having submitted to the Lord’s plan for salvation (Acts 2:38), and continuing in His word (Jn. 8:31; Rev. 2:10b), we have a friend that will never fail. We have an “Advocate” who is always on our side (I Jn. 2:1). We have a “High Priest” who “always lives to make intercession” for us (Heb. 3:1, 7:25-28). We have a “Mediator” between us and God (I Tim. 2:5). Yes, we have Someone who truly cares for us when the world turns its back on us!

    The Lord will not save you against your will. He will not force you to be a Christian. If you want Him to leave your life, He will go (Matt. 8:34-9:1). He has explained the consequences of accepting or rejecting Him in His word (Matt. 7:12-13; Rom. 2:7-11; Rom. 6:23).
 
    Do you know my friend? Is He your friend? If not, why not? Make Him your friend by following the Lord’s plan of salvation (Mk. 16:16). Then, live for Him all of your life (I Cor. 15:58). You’ll be blessed by having such a friend! Let the words of this song sink deep in your heart. “Do you know my Jesus? Do you know my friend? Have you heard He loves you, and that He will abide till the end?”  (Source: W.F. Lakey and V. B. Ellis, Hymns For Worship, #470)

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167