I would like to start by thanking you all for following my posts last year.  I hope that your hearts have been warmed and encouraged and hopefully, a smile was brought to your face. May this coming year be full of answered prayers for you!

I named this post “Friendships” because it was inspired by episode 3 of “The Chosen.” Particularly the scene when Jesus went back to his hometown and had dinner with his mother, Mary. 

The next day they went together to a celebration where he ran into his friends Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. The joy of watching him with them encouraged me. 

“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.”

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We tend to forget that Jesus grew up and experienced all that we have as humans. I believe that He must have also laughed and discussed everyday life with His friends.  

He had all the same emotions as we do, which is very comforting to know as we go to Him in prayer knowing that He cares for us and our well-being much more than we understand.  

Now, here is a good friend-

““The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In this scripture, Jesus, who is the Word of God, says He has come to bring…

~ Good News to us all.

~ Freedom from our prisons.

~ Sight for blindness.

~ Freedom from oppression.

Prisons and blindness are not literal here, they are spiritual.  Those who trust God’s Word will be set free from oppression and their spiritual eyes will be opened.  I can and will continue to testify to this truth for as long as He allows me to. 

A good friend of our family once said, “If we go through life with just one good friend, we are rich!”  I fully agree with that statement.  

My prayer for all of us this coming year is that we would allow Jesus to draw us into a closer relationship and friendship with Him. 

God bless you, and Happy New Year!