A true friend

 

"A true friend is a treasure of the heart" - is the text on a bookmark I found in one of my old books I picked up. It made me think of my friends, who I keep close through the distance that's between us as we moved, one whom I talked to just yesterday. How God has blessed me with such faithful friends.

It made me think of what a friend we have in Jesus.

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.

 

Carry everything to God in prayer. Jesus, what a privilege! Thank You for bearing our sins and griefs, precious Savior, our Refuge, our Shield. May we never be discouraged to take everything to You in prayer, not forfeiting peace or bearing needless pain. For You are our Friend.

 

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 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. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another."

~John 15:12-17

 

Carry everything to God in prayer. The theme of this song is clear. I thought of words I read recently and my own priorities. Lord, I am setting a specific time to meet with You. Be there. 8:30. Corner of the room by my chair. I'll let you know if anything changes, if a different time or place will be better.

Prayer is something we can easily put off unless we make it as habitual as brushing our teeth. Personal procrastination leads to prayerlessness, which is a sin. Thank God we can repent and schedule a prayer time. Sometimes we get so busy doing good works for God that we neglect our prayer time with Him. He allows us to make our own decisions, but when we begin to feel overburdened or overtaxed, it is time to check our prayer life. Our priorities have simply gotten turned upside down. Just as you would set aside time for any important function in your day, set aside a specific time to fellowship with the Father. Be honest with Him; if you don't feel like praying, tell Him. Remember, the Father is drawing you to the place of prayer, and it may be that He wants you to sit quietly and enjoy His presence. He isn't demanding; He is easy to be with. (Germaine Copeland)

Keep CZECHING IN!