Friends are friends forever

John 15:12-15
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you




Yesterday we had an open house honoring our son for his hard work in graduating from Legacy Christian Academy. It was great watching him greet friends coming to recognize him. We didn't have a clue who would show up on this day and in some ways it made it extra special as we experienced these surprises. There were many more that may have shown up if time would have permitted, but the friends who came were a blessing.

We had a several display tables set up that highlighted his achievements and one set up that highlighted his memory book of James and his sister. It was a time for him to share with his friends the memories of his sister. He learned that even though she is no longer with us he can still cherish the memories of her and his friends who came began to understand the sorrow that was within him so they will know how to be a friend. Hence the lyrics to this song which were friends are friends forever who will never say never if the Lord is the lord of them really poignantly paints a picture of beautiful Christian fellowship.


If there is a lesson in this message that it would be the importance for our graduating seniors to always spend time with Jesus Christ by reading his word and as the Holy Spirit changes your heart and frees you of the worldly sin's of lusting after greed and other selfish desires the Lord will also give you a heart to be a true friend to others. It is a beautiful thing to see God's presence changing the lives of his people!

Finally, I envision while having this open house for our son our own special day when we are in the Heaven throne room where one by one we will see friends we hadn't seen since the day we saw the casket being closed on them. Our eyes will open wide as they enter the throne room and we see them more alive and full of life. It was the precious blood of Jesus that made it all possible for us.


Lastly, having friends begins with you. Turn to the Lord and seek him. As you do this God will draw people to you who will not abandon you in your day of need. That is the beautiful gift of Christian friendship!!