FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK September 3, 2023 by Friendship MBC What is it about Friendship that seems so “friendly”? We have had countless visitors who say after having visited our church “You people really live up to your name.” While this pastor is always gratified to receive such reports, we are not at all surprised, to the contrary, that is our expectation. Proverbs 18:24 tells us “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Let’s unpack that statement. Lonely people need friends who will stick close, listen, care, and offer help when it is needed, in good times and bad. What is not helpful are superficial acquaintances. This pastor believes that the source of our friendliness is people with the “Joy of Jesus.” Let me explain, St. Paul tells us in Romans 5:11: “…but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” All people are sinful, and sin deserves punishment. Instead of punishing us with the death we deserve, however, Christ took our sins upon Himself and paid the price for us with His own death. Now we can “Joy in God.” Through faith in His work, we become His friends rather than being enemies. And you know that any friend of God is a friend of ours. The essence of “Joy in Jesus” is manifested in caring, concern and loving. Thank you, Friendship for being who you are, children of the most high God. Pastor J. Amos Jones Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Related