Day 15 - Special Post | Bryan & Patricia Hudson 42nd Anniversary | LoveWorks, Jesus, Our Example of Friendship | Our King and the Kingdom of God 21-Day Devotional
This is a repost from a lesson series my wife and I taught entitled Love Works from 2019. Today, we celebrate our 42nd wedding anniversary. For us, this annual milestone is a reminder of the steadfastness of the Kingdom of God. For you, I pray this is an encouragement, knowing that God can sustain love and relationships.
Jesus said, "Love one another as I have loved you." There have been difficult times in which I felt that my love was insufficient, only to learn that acknowledging weakness is the path to gaining strength in God. The Apostle Paul wrote, "When I am weak then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10)
I dedicate this lesson to my wife and best friend, Patricia Ann Hudson!
John 15:9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
We learn from this text is that Jesus wants a relationship with his followers. Not just religious devotion, but a loving, sincere, committed relationship and friendship.
A Definition of Friend – A friend is someone you love and who loves you, someone you respect and who respects you, someone whom you trust and who trusts you. A friend is honest and makes you want to be honest too. Friendship is a two way relationship where both parties give and receive.
Jesus expounds to his disciples the true meaning of friendship.
There are four levels of relationship:
1. There are acquaintances
2. There are colleagues/co-workers/partners
3. There is Christian/Kingdom Covenant with fellow believers in Christ
4. And there are true friends (Including spouse)
KEY POINT #1: True friends experience a high level of agreement
KEY POINT #2: True friends are mutually loyal and dependable
KEY POINT #3: True friends confide in one another.
KEY POINT #4: True friends speak highly of one another and empower one another, especially in times of uncertainty.
Watch the teaching below
We learn from this text is that Jesus wants a relationship with his followers. Not just religious devotion, but a loving, sincere, committed relationship and friendship.
A Definition of Friend – A friend is someone you love and who loves you, someone you respect and who respects you, someone whom you trust and who trusts you. A friend is honest and makes you want to be honest too. Friendship is a two way relationship where both parties give and receive.
Jesus expounds to his disciples the true meaning of friendship.
There are four levels of relationship:
1. There are acquaintances
2. There are colleagues/co-workers/partners
3. There is Christian/Kingdom Covenant with fellow believers in Christ
4. And there are true friends (Including spouse)
KEY POINT #1: True friends experience a high level of agreement
KEY POINT #2: True friends are mutually loyal and dependable
KEY POINT #3: True friends confide in one another.
KEY POINT #4: True friends speak highly of one another and empower one another, especially in times of uncertainty.
Watch the teaching below
Part One also Available now on Podcast:
