Friendship/Relationships/Best Friend of all ~ Jesus
I meet with women monthly in a group called Titus 2 Women. This past month we talked about friendship relationships. We discussed some of the qualities we look for in a friend. Here are some of the qualities we came up with: loyal, trustworthy, fun, someone who looks out for your best interest, encourager, truthful and honest, counselor, like-minded, someone you can be real with, compassionate and someone who is a good listener. What are some qualities you look for in a friend that weren’t mentioned?
I’ve had some great friendship relationships over the years ~ a few that really stick out are a friend from first grade, my maid of honor in our wedding and a dear friend when we lived in Virginia. God placed each one of these friends in my life for a short season. Even though I am not in contact with any of them now, they will always have a special place in my heart.
Can you think of a friend who is currently in your life or someone God placed in your life for a season? Have you thanked Him for her (them)? Have you been able to thank, them?
There are many friendship relationships described in the Bible. Take the time to look up their stories: David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1-5), Ruth and Naomi (Ruth), Paul and Barnabus (Acts 11:25-26, and see chapters, 13, 14, 15), Lazarus, Mary, Martha and Jesus (John 11:1-44), John, the beloved and Jesus (John 21:20-24). A few more verses concerning friendship/relationships are found in Eccl. 4:9-12, Prov. 17:17; 18:24; 27:6, 9,17,18, and Romans 12:10.
When we receive Christ, one of the privileges we have in our relationship with Him is that He calls us His friend ~ but how do we treat that friendship? In John 15:12-17, Jesus says, “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 and that your 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.”
Knowing that Jesus calls us His friend is a priceless gift. Do you take that friendship for granted or do you treasure it? He longs to be your best friend, your first love. (Revelations 2:4-5) Friends come, friends go, some are only in our lives for a season, but Jesus has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)
Remember He is and always will be our faithful friend. Regardless of how we feel or the circumstances surrounding us, we can always count on Him. Jesus is worthy of ALL our praise. Praise Him for He is:
Almighty (Rev. 1:8)
Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 22:13)
Amen (Rev. 3:14)
Atoning Sacrifice for our Sins (1 John 2:2)
Author of Life (Acts 3:15)
Author and Perfecter of our Faith (Heb. 12:2)
Author of Salvation (Heb. 2:10)
Beginning and End (Rev. 22:13)
Blessed and only Ruler (1 Tim. 6:15)
Bread of Life (John 6:35; 6:48)
Bridegroom (Mt. 9:15)
Bright Morning Star (Rev. 22:16)
Chief Cornerstone (Eph. 2:20)
Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4)
Christ (1 John 2:22)
Creator (Colossians 1:16)
Deliverer (Rom. 11:26)
Defense (Advocate) (1 John 2:1)
Eternal Life (1 John 1:2; 5:20)
Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6)
Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11)
Faithful Witness (Rev. 1:5)
First and Last (Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 22:13)
Firstborn From the Dead (Rev. 1:5)
Firstborn over all creation (Col. 1:15)
Gate (John 10:9)
God (John 1:1; 20:28; Heb. 1:8; Rom. 9:5; 2 Pet. 1:1;1 John 5:20)
Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14)
Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20)
Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14)
Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; 5:23)
Heir of all things (Heb. 1:2)
High Priest (Heb. 2:17)
Holy and True (Rev. 3:7)
Holy and Righteous One (Acts 3:14)
Hope (1 Tim. 1:1)
Hope of Glory (Col. 1:27)
Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69)
I Am (John 8:58)
Image of God (2 Cor. 4:4)
Immanuel ~ God with us (Mt. 1:23)
Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42)
King Eternal (1 Tim. 1:17)
King of Israel (John 1:49)
King of the Jews (Mt. 27:11)
King of Kings (1 Tim 6:15; Rev. 19:16)
King of the Ages (Rev. 15:3)
Lamb (Rev. 13:8)
Lamb of God (John 1:29)
Lamb Without Blemish (1 Pet. 1:19)
Last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45)
Life (John 14:6; Col. 3:4)
Light of the World (John 8:12)
Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5)
Living One (Rev. 1:18)
Living Stone (1 Pet. 2:4)
Lord (2 Pet. 2:20)
Lord of All (Acts 10:36)
Lord of Glory (1 Cor. 2:8)
Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:16)
Man from Heaven (1 Cor. 15:48)
Master (Lk. 5:5; 8:24; 9:33)
Mediator of the New Covenant (Heb. 9:15)
Mighty God (Isa. 9:6))
Offspring of David (Rev. 22:16)
One and only Begotten Son of God (John 1:18; 3:16, 1 John 4:9)
Our Great God and Savior (Titus 2:13)
Our Holiness (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Husband (2 Cor. 11:2)
Our Protection (2 Thess. 3:3)
Our Redemption (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30)
Our Sacrificed Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7)
Peace (John 14:27, Col. 3:15)
Power of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
Precious Cornerstone (1 Pet. 2:6)
Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)
Prophet (Acts 3:22)
Rabbi (Mt. 26:25, John 3:2)
Radiance of God's glory (Hebrews 1:3)
Resurrection and Life (John 11:25)
Righteous Branch (Jer. 23:5)
Righteous One (Acts 7:52; 1 John 2:1)
Rock (1 Cor. 10:4)
Root of David (Rev. 5:5; 22:16)
Ruler of God’s Creation (Rev. 3:14)
Ruler of the Kings of the Earth (Rev. 1:5)
Savior (Eph. 5:23; Titus 1:4; 3:6; 2 Pet. 2:20)
Son of David (Lk. 18:39)
Son of God ( Luke 1:35, John 1:49; Heb. 4:14)
Son of Man (Mt. 8:20)
Son of the Most High God (Lk. 1:32)
Source of Eternal Salvation for all who obey Him (Heb. 5:9)
The One Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5)
The Stone the builders rejected (Acts 4:11)
True Bread (John 6:32)
True Light (John 1:9)
True Vine (John 15:1)
Truth (John 1:14; 14:6)
Way (John 14:6)
Wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24)
Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6)
Word (John 1:1)
Word of God (Rev. 19:13)
