GOD'S NEWS CHANNEL & Daily Bible message Rev J E E
Published by Rev James Erick

God's News For Today ~ Weekend addition. Saturday & Sunday May 4th & 5th 2019
Studied in the King James Bible

MY NEW BEST FRIEND

I'm pretty sure that at one time or another we have all had friends that had negative aspects which caused us to have negative aspects as well. I remember a friend named Josh. We grew up together, doing everything together. We shared our fears and beliefs and made fun of girls, until we realized girls were for loving and grew up to be our wive's and mothers to our children.

The only thing we didn't do together was go to church on Sundays, because Josh's Mom didn't believe in God and wouldn't allow her children to go to church. Other than that Josh and I were in-separable, at least that's what I thought.

When I was sixteen years young, I accepted Christ into my life and became a new person.
I remember how excited I was when I told my best friend Josh about this new life with God, I had full intentions to ask Josh if he would join me and walk with Jesus. But when I told my best friend what I thought would be the greatest news I'd ever share with him his face showed no excitement, it only showing disappointment and disapproval.

"How could you do that Eric? Josh said with a displeasing and disappointed voice, You know I don't believe in religion. And if there is a God, why did he allow my father to be murdered and leave his children alone with mother? Eric, you know that's when I began to hate God, and when someone talked about God I would be sure to make fun of them for believing in a false God they couldn't even see. "Eric I just don't understand why or how you could do this."

When I tried to explain how good my life would be now that I've found Jesus, my baby born again brain didn't know what to say. That next Sunday I asked Pastor Otis what I should do because I did not want my nest friend mad at me. The advice Pastor told me only upset me more. He told me it's hard for a Christian to be a Christian and maintain a friendship with nonbelievers, and he felt it would be best if I no longer hung with Josh because he may cause be to stray from God, because he's living a non-believing life style.

Pastor Otis went on to say that folks who don't believe in God can also provide false comfort and bad advice, to God's Children as Job’s friends did, making his suffering worse and displeasing the Lord. See>(Job 2:11-13,) 6:14-27, 42:7-9) 11 Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him. 12 And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. 13 So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great. Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.
Also See>(Job 6:14-27) 14 To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. 15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away; 16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid: 17 What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place. 18 The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish. 19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them. 20 They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed. 21 For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid. 22 Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance? 23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty? 24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. 25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove? 26 Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind? 27 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.
Now let take a look and See>(Job 42:7-9) 7 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. 8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job. 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.

I told the pastor that Josh and I had been friends our whole life and that I loved him as a brother. The pastor told me he understood and that he wished he could change things,and I should be careful not to let him lead me away from Jesus. He also told me that God tells us to choose our friends carefully as Paul told the Corinthians, See>(1 Corinthians 15:33) 33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

After my pastor and I were finished talking I left church with a sadness in my heart I'd never felt before, I didn't want to do what Pastor advised me to do. But I knew my best friend and I could no longer hangout if I wanted Christ in my life. So later that evening I told Josh what pastor Rick had said.

"So it's like that is it? Josh said. Then go ahead Eric, hang out with your invisible God. Go with this Jesus fool, besides I can't hang with a holy roller. You should leave now Eric." I left and as I was walking out of his house the last words I heard my best friend tell me were, "Why don't you just make Jesus your new best friend"?
My young Christian heart was torn and broken when I told my best friend, "Fine I will," and I did. And ever since that day my new best friend has stuck with me through many trials and snares. His name was Jesus and He walked with me as we talked to each other, and every night I would make it a point to thank my new best friend Jesus Christ.

My final thoughts
Folks, I know this is a hard thing to do in the world we live in today, but we as Christians should not befriend folks who may entice us to do wrong. We should be careful and take God's advice if we meet someone that we'd like to be friends with. This will help us make the right decision when choosing a friend. We should make sure they are on the same path walking with Christ as you are, “the path of the righteous which is the ultimate goal of a Christian.”

Prayer
Lord, help us and guide us when we seek out friendships. Let our friendships glory God rather than cause separation among us Lord. We trust that Your always walking with us and we can count on Your help, in Your name Jesus Christ we pray and ask this of you, amen.

Rev James Erick