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| Jesus -
Your true ValentineIn an era that is replete with social problems, the great
Saint Valentine took up the challenge of spreading goodwill and friendship amongst people
for the welfare of humanity in his time. What was set in motion then has withstood the
ravages of time till today. Saint Valentine's Day continues to be celebrated with fervor
by all sections of society and age-groups for the promotion of goodwill, fraternity and
love amongst people.
The famous proverb says "A friend in need is a friend indeed." Loneliness is not the cup of tea for anyone. We would like to be surrounded by friends, kith or kin. We long to have a good friend, spouse or a companion who can share with us, our happiness, sorrow, joy, laughter, anguish, anger, etc. How does Bible define a friend? "A friend loves at all times" - Proverbs 17:17 "There is a friend who will stick closer than a brother" - Proverbs 18:24 "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" - John 15:23 Can you find such a friend? Rarely, you may. Most of the time we come across fair weather friends, who remain loyal for a short period of time. Would you like to have a friend who comfort you when you cry, pick you up when you fall and soothe your bruises, be happy for you when you achieve something, and not be jealous of you. Someone to walk with and talk with you. Above all when you are in trouble, to vanish your problems with a magic wand. You can find such a loyal friend in Jesus. All you have to do is accepting as your Savior and Lord. You may be a person who was searching for the true God. Jesus says, I am the way, the truth and the Life, No one goes to the Father expect through me. He has made a way for us that whosoever believes on Him will not perish but have everlasting life. If you believe in Him, the everlasting life and everlasting friendship can become yours. Unlike your other friends, He loves you so much even before you were born. That is why he shed His blood on the cross. There was no way He could save you. When the ultimate price had to be paid through giving away His life, He did it lovingly. Bible says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 His sacrifice expresses His love for you. His love is something more than a friend's love. The whole world may forsake at critical situation or when you go wayward. Even your father and mother may forsake but Jesus will be with you (Psalms 27:10). He is a dependable friend. He listens to us when we cry in distress and in need (Psalms 145:18,19) Now, you will have to reconsider your friendship with the world. The friends of this world will lead you to an invisible trap such as addiction to alcohol, pornography, abuse of drugs. Get away from such friends. Develop friendship with those who would lead you to righteousness. Oh! What a friend we have in Jesus! The best valentine that we can ever find is Jesus. I shall leave you with this wonderful song written by Joseph Medlicott Scriven in 1855. You can listen to this song all day long. If you would like to listen to this melody. Log on to our website www.indiabethel.org with you speakers switched On. If you would like to share a testimony kindly write to us, "How Jesus had been a true friend in time of need". WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and
griefs to bear! Words by Joseph Medlicott Scriven, 1855 Scriven wrote this hymn to comfort his mother, who was across the sea from him in Ireland. It was originally published anonymously, and Scriven did not receive full credit for almost 30 years. Converse originally named the score after the town of Erie, Pennsylvania. In World War I, the tune was paired with the words to "When This Bloody War is Over." Happy Valentine's Day If you are blessed by this message kindly let us know, that we praise God together at pastor@indiabethel.org |
