THERE'S NOT A FRIEND LIKE JESUS!

THERE’S NOT A FRIEND

LIKE JESUS!

It is a dark and gray day here.  I haven’t seen the sun all day.  I know the sun is shining somewhere, and I know it is shining behind those dark clouds. We all have days in our lives where everything is dark and gray, no sun seems to be shining in our lives.  I know many people feel like the world has forgotten them, and they live in a dark place.  I meet people in the nursing home ministry who are so alone.  Family seems to have forgotten them.  And I know people who have people all around them and they still feel alone.  They feel the emptiness in their lives and problems seem to surround them.

But I know a Friend who will never forsake me, will never leave me lonely, and is always there for me, always on call when I need Him.  And I can share everything with Him, all my hearts desires and He will always keep a confidence.  My Friend showers me with love and blessings and promises to be my Friend throughout eternity.  Would you like to know a friend like that?  Are you lonely today?  Are you facing great trials in your life right now?  Let me introduce you to my best Friend, the Lord Jesus Christ!

NO NOT ONE!

“There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus, no, not one! No, not one! None else could heal all our soul’s diseases, no, not one! No, not one!

Jesus knows all about our struggles, He will guide till the day is done; there’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus, no, not one! No not one!

No friend like Him is so high and holy, no not one! No, not one! And yet no friend is so meek and lowly, no, not one! No not one!

There’s not an hour that He is not near us, no not one! No, not one! No night so dark but His love can cheer us, no, not one! No, not one!

Did ever saint find this Friend forsake him?  No, not one! No, not one! Or sinner find that He would not take him?  No, not one! No, not one!

Was e’er a gift like the Saviour given! No, not one! No, not one! Will He refuse us a home in heaven? No, not one! No, not one!  (Johnson Oatman, Jr.)

No, there is no one like Jesus.  We will be celebrating Christmas soon, and the baby Jesus will be in our minds as we see Him there in the manger, shepherds and wise men worshiping this gentle baby.  But that baby, the Lord of Glory came down, God in flesh, to walk among us, to feel our pain, and then be crucified on that cruel cross for you, for me.  He came to take our sins on the cross, to shed His blood for our sin and to heal all our soul’s diseases, those sins that plague our lives, He brings forgiveness.  Oh, what a Friend is Jesus!

But Jesus came out of the tomb triumphant on the third day, conquering death and bringing eternal life to all who will believe in Him.  Oh, I pray that during this coming Christmas season that you will come to know Him as your best friend.  He comes into our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit, and has promised to never “leave us or forsake us.” (Hebrews 13:5).

Earthly friends can sometime forsake us, but this Friend is always there.  “But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” Proverbs 18:24b.  Even earthly family may forsake us, but never our Wonderful Jesus!

How can our minds comprehend how high and holy is our God! 

“Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD, my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty, who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, who stretch out the heavens like a curtain.  He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, who makes the clouds His chariot, who walks on the wings of the wind, who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire” Psalm 104 1-4.

And yet, He is lowly and bears all our griefs and sorrows.  He has been there ahead of us, He feels our pain, and He is there is our darkest of nights.  He is there with His great compassion and love when we feel like we cannot go on, the way is so dark.  He lights the path ahead of us, bringing His peace in the midst of the storm.  There is no Friend like Jesus.

And if you do not know this Wonderful Friend, you can call on Him right now.  He never turns away those who call on Him, asking Him to forgive their sins.  And when we are finished walking the path He has chosen for us, this Wonderful Friend will guide us to our eternal home in heaven. 

Oh, what a day that will be!  It will be a day of great joy to finally meet this Friend face to face, and to live with Him forever.  We will meet the Friend who died for us, forgave our sins, this Wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I can hardly wait, can you? There is no Friend like Jesus, no not one!

In Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon