Notes of Faith November 25, 2024
Thankful for Friends
We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you. Colossians 1:3
When you attend a high school, college, or family reunion—you realise how powerful those relationships were and how thankful you are for the people who helped shape your life. If it’s true that 'we don’t miss the water ’til the well runs dry,' the same could be said for relationships. This fact ought to encourage us to invest in them more actively while we have the chance.
We often think of the apostle Paul as a missionary-scholar more than a people person—but such a perception would be wrong. Throughout Acts and Paul’s epistles we see evidence of the relationships he valued in his life. He had a deep relationship with the elders of Ephesus (Acts 20:17-38). When he wrote his letter to the church at Rome, he greeted some thirty people by name (Romans 16:1-16). He was greeted by members of the church as he approached Rome (Acts 28:14-15). He acted as a mentor to countless coworkers in ministry: Barnabas, Mark, Timothy, Titus, Luke, and more.
Thank God for your friends in the faith. While you are able, do everything you can to strengthen your bonds in Christ.
Christianity is all about relationships with God and with others.
David Watson
Acts 28: 14-15
14 There we found brothers[a] and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.
Friends
Song by
Michael W. Smith
Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
I can't believe the hopes He's granted
Means a chapter of your life is through
But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends
And with the faith and love God's given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you live in
Is the strength that now you show
But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends
No, a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends
Love God! Love others!
Pastor Dale