THANKFUL THURSDAY...what a friend!

This week I was reading about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, the 3 Hebrews thrown into the fiery furnace. What is so remarkable to me about these three is the kindred spirit that obviously appeared between them. They seemed to be very close friends. They certainly supported one another. Look at how they stuck together when everyone else deserted them. When everyone else was bowing down to false gods, these three stuck together and weathered out the storm. Their dedication to one another could not be shaken, not even in the fiery furnace.

I don't know about you, but, I need to have some friends like this.
The godly kind that will stand with me in the testing of the waters. The kind of friends that will not be swayed by what the popular belief is, but the kind of friends that will stand upon the Word of God. The kind of friends that will stand up for what is right and the kind that will steer away from what is wrong. And the kind of friends that no matter how hot the fire gets, they stand by my side and don't turn on me.

Such a friend. If only we could find one!

It is really difficult to know really what your friends are made of. I have found that the friends that I deemed my closest, actually were not that close at all. The best way to find out what your friends are made of is go thru a difficult time. Now, I cannot think of too many people who set out to bring difficulties upon themselves just so they can find a true friend. But believe me, when trials and difficulties come, many friendships will fail the test. Friends will run away from the fire instead of go thru the fire with you.

But this shouldn't shock us. I know it does. But it shouldn't. After all, Jesus had alot of fair weathered friends. He had plenty of friends when he was dishing up the bread and fish. Plenty of food for everyone, and everyone wanted to be His friend. When He was healing and preaching love and compassion to everyone, everyone wanted to be close to Him and be His friend. But look at what happened when Jesus got arrested...where did His friends go? Many left His side as soon as the heat got turned up. They fled and some even turned on Him and accused Him.

A true friend will be loyal to the end. Have you found such a friend in your life yet? I have been so let down by friendships in my life. I have had friends turn on me and I even have had friends accuse me, but one friend that I can always count on and Who will be by my side no matter how hot the flames get is my friend Jesus.



He has never left me, and He will never forsake me. He doesn't disappoint me. He doesn't hurt me. He doesn't ever leave me. He is always at my side. Loving me, protecting me, guiding me, forgiving me and believing in me.

My, my, my...what a friend we have in Jesus!
The truest friend you will ever have. Today I am so thankful for His love and friendship. It is one of a kind. The kind that will outlast any blazing fire!

Isaiah 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."

LYNN is hosting THANKFUL THURSDAY this month. We would love to hear what you are thankful for today. You can visit her site and link up your TT post HERE!