Enjoying God’s Friendship

Hope-Full Living

Media

Enjoying God’s Friendship

September 22, 2024 • Jan Kilby • James 4:7, 1 John 3:6, John 15:14

Give

Many people seek a friendship with God. This requires trying to avoid intentional sinning.

Fortunately, as a senior, the temptation to do wrong is not as attractive as it once seemed. Experience has taught me that what sinning promises is never what

I need. Most importantly, sin leads to hurting God, ourselves, and others. When I repent of my mistakes and request God’s forgiveness, he gives me the strength to improve my behavior.

Building on your relationship with God always has an advantage. This occurs when we care about the state of our soul and those we care about. When we have a close friendship with God, we are at peace and are more comfortable asking him for help.

The God We Know

November 8, 2024 • Katherine Klemp • Luke 8:24–25, Luke 8:22–25, Psalm 23

A valid question. The disciples knew Jesus well. They had listened as he opened scripture to them. They had seen him heal great numbers of people. They stood witness as he cast out demons. He raised a widow’s son from the dead. What part of his limitless and loving care for people didn’t they get? Whenever you’re faced with new fears and challenges, look back. How many years have you walked with Jesus? How many blessings has he bestowed on your life? When has he let you down? This simple review will show his obvious presence and care over the years and upholds our faith in the One who always loves and cares.

To Remember or Forget

November 7, 2024 • Ken Holdorf • Job 17:11, 1 Peter 2:10, Ephesians 2:1–10

No doubt there are times in your past that you would like to forget. But what does God want you to remember about the past? Job had a lot of things in his past that he wanted to forget. God wanted Job to remember these words recorded in Job 19:25, “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.” God wants you to remember what he did in the past — that he sent Jesus to be your Redeemer through his death on the cross as the sacrifice for your sin, and to remember that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day to give you the assurance of life everlasting. That’s the good news of the past that is still the good news of the present.

My Church ...

November 6, 2024 • Jerry Groth • Ephesians 2:20, Ephesians 4:1–5, Hebrews 10:19–25

When I was a seminary student, we were assigned to a local congregation where we did what was called “field work.” Often, as the pastor preached, he would look off into the distance, and say the words, “My church, my church, my dear old church, my Father’s and my own! On prophets and apostles built. And Christ our cornerstone. All else beside, by storm or tide, may yet be overthrown. But not my church, my dear old church, my Fathers’ and my own” (American Lutheran Hymnal). If you are a member of a church, give whatever you can give to the work and life of your congregation. Regularly hear the preached Word. Talk honestly. Be merciful. Worship faithfully. We spend precious few days on earth. Make them people-centered, not me-centered.