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GailFriends - What a Friend We Have In Jesus
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GailFriends – What a Friend We Have In Jesus
By Gail Golden
Publicist and Ministry Partner - Pocket Full of Change Ministries
Draw near to me, and I will draw near to you. (James 4:8)
Greetings!
The name for my new column came from a new friend I met recently while watching a parade. When I told her my name, she laughed and said, “My best friend’s name is Gail and I call her Gail-Friend!” Well, I immediately claimed the name as my own!
If you’re reading this, you’re a Gail-Friend. Please pray for me as I embark on this journey with Cheryle Touchton and Barbara Gobbs. We are all ministry partners with Pocket Full of Change Ministries and our desire is to bless and encourage you through our writing.
When I was a little girl, growing up in a Baptist church, we sang the hymn, What A Friend We Have in Jesus. I could not understand or relate to Jesus being my friend. It puzzled me for years until, at the age of 26, I surrendered my heart to Him. He became my friend then, and is my friend today. He is with me always, as He promised. I can talk to Him anywhere and any time and I know He loves me, even when I’m unlovely. He comforts me when I’m troubled. He leads me back to the path when I lose my way. He shows me what to do when I’m confused. Why, He even left me a guidebook for how to live life here on Earth. I treasure His friendship now above every other.
Jesus is such a good friend and I want others to know Him, too. I pray you know Him as friend, not just as an idea or concept. If you’ve never surrendered your heart to Him, you will never know Him as friend. If you don’t know Him, pray a prayer like this: “Jesus, I believe you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I am a sinner and I need you. I turn from my sin and I ask You to come into my life.” That’s the prayer I prayed on my knees at age 26. When I surrendered, I felt a tremendous weight lift from me. I began to change because the Holy Spirit came in.
Friendship doesn’t develop without spending time together. God’s Word promises us that if we draw near to Jesus, He will draw near to us. When I surrendered, I felt such a hunger for God’s Word. I wanted to read it every day and it came alive! The words seemed to leap from the page and meet whatever need or question I had that day. As I spent time in the Word of God, Jesus revealed Himself to me and I learned to recognize His voice. He became a friend, like the old hymn described. Today What A Friend We Have In Jesus is one of my favorite hymns and Jesus is my very best friend.
Gail Golden is a ministry partner with and the Publicist of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information, to schedule a speaker for an event, or to request a newsletter, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden, Publicist at 904 316-5462. This ministry is supported by donations. If this ministry helps you or others, and God calls you to help support this work, you can make a donation to Pocket Full of Change Ministry at POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.
© Pocket Full of Change Ministries
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