Unspeakable Joy!Sample

FRIENDS BRING THE JOY OF GOD

I am fortunate to have several meaningful friends in my life. Because our relationship is authentic, these friends can tell me when they think I’m wrong or they can correct some error in my thinking.

But even more important, their main concern is to move me closer to God, where He can address my need, issue, or fault. They put my relationship with God ahead of our friendship. That is rare.

They ask questions to get me to think about an issue instead of telling me what I ought to do or even their opinion. They seem interested in my perspective more than their own.

Do you have friends who try to “fix” you, or do they help you think through things and allow you to come to your own conclusions?

Maybe you’re in a season without deep friendships. If so, you may have to reach out and invest in others’ lives first. It may take work and time on your part, but if your aim is to be a true friend to others, there’s a good chance you’ll benefit as you invest in others’ lives….and in doing so, you will find the joy of giving and a joyful love that is nearly unspeakable.

A LIFE WITH FRIENDS

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Seasons come and seasons go

Yet there’s one thing I firmly know

It’s when we walk the road of life

When with joy or sometimes strife

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To have a friend who’s at your side

Who’s never cross or seldom chides

Always there and ever same

Expressing love and speaks your name

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No matter summer, winter, fall

Their love for me it towers tall

Seldom pointing to a way

But asking what our Lord might say

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Rarely telling ‘what to do’

He only seeks what’s God and true

About myself and, yes, my Lord

To draw us close to one accord

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In facing life and growing strong

Their love for me, a grateful song

Where I can come and freely share

And not pull back or distant care

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They help me grow into my own

The person God saw on His throne

The purist, loving parts to live

Emerging forth by love they give

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Calling me to sup with Thee

To rest in Him and never flee

To call Him mine and come to know

A life with friends this world below.

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What’s more than all their saintly ways

Tis friendship love of Jesus’ gaze

My closest friend; His watchful eye

Ever there until I die