ICallYouFriends | Kristi's Morning Devotional

Each morning, I wake up I praise the Lord for His faithfulness and love!

Admittedly some mornings I would like to stay in bed a little longer and some mornings I do just that. But there isn’t a day that I don’t thank Him for the many blessings I have received and the courage and confidence that I have in His love.

I have some dear close friends with whom I share my heart, but none is sweeter than the friend I have in Jesus. Those words are some that I read in Psalm 144 this morning.

“I praise you, Lord! You are my mighty rock, and you teach me how to fight my battles.
²You are my friend, my fortress, where I am safe. You are my shield, and you made me the ruler of our people.” Psalm 144:1-2 CEV

“ Praise the Lord! He is my Rock. He prepares me for war. He trains me for battle.
²He loves me and protects me. He is my safe place high on the mountain. He rescues me. He is my shield. I trust in him. He helps me rule my people.” Psalm 144:1-2 ERV

Two translations of the same verse. One is written in the first person – I praise you Lord and the other is written in the third person – Me telling you what God has done for me. Both convey the same message of God’s love and protection, but I was drawn to the CEV writing because that’s how I feel about the Lord – “You are my friend”.

We have many praise and worship songs that were written in the last twenty years, more contemporary music styles yet one old hymn that I dearly love is “What A Friend” we have in Jesus. This song was written in 1855, the words still ring true in my heart.

“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!

2 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!

3 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 your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.”

Imagine the heart of the man that penned these words. Had he known lack of peace, trials, temptations, betrayal, weakness, discouragement and sorrow? He knew there was one place to find solace and comfort, “What a Friend we have in Jesus, take it to the Lord in prayer”.

Coffee is a good way to start the day but spending time with Jesus is better! Take it to the Lord in prayer!!

Growing up I didn’t have family close by. Mom and Dad moved to Arizona from Iowa a year before I was born. Dad needed to be in a more conducive work environment; he was in construction and the harsh Iowa winters kept him from working for several months at a time.

Anyway, our newfound friends became family. It didn’t matter that we lived in a trailer and had a small living space, Mom would have Dad put up the card tables in the living room for us kids while the adults sat around the table in the kitchen. There was always laughter and plenty of good food.

I also remember the signs of struggle as the adults would talk softly and occasionally a napkin was used to wipe away the tears. That part of loving relationships has stayed with me all my life. I was thinking about those friends this morning…

When you think of the people around, those you share your life with, would you say they are friends or just acquaintances? What makes some relationships treasured and others only casual?

Are there relationships you would like to deepen; those folks you admire but just don’t seem to have enough time with? What do you do to try to increase the bond with these special people?

Maybe you invite them to lunch or perhaps have them come for dinner. They are welcome in your home and having them visit for several days is never a chore but a delight. You learn about their likes and dislikes – how they like their coffee and favorite dessert. It’s important to treat them special!

Now that you’re thinking of these people and how they tug at your heart, you can understand what the Apostle Paul wrote about one of his relationships.

“All I want now is Christ. 9 I want to belong to him. In Christ I am right with God, but my being right does not come from following the law. It comes from God through faith. God uses my faith in Christ to make me right with him. 10 All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him from death…” Philippians 3:8-10 ERV

Do you have a desire to know Christ the way Paul did?

Clear your schedule today. Make a lunch or dinner date and invite Jesus to attend. I guarantee He will show up, he wants to spend time with you more than you want to spend time with Him!

“You are My friends if you do what I tell you. ¹⁵I do not call you servants that I own anymore. A servant does not know what his owner is doing. I call you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from My Father.” John 15:14-15 NLV

Learn about Him, develop your relationship, sit at the table, share fellowship with the One who loves you most. I can assure you it will be the best friendship you’ve ever cultivated!

Tag: ICallYouFriends

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