I enjoyed seeing friends last night at a happy hour event – and funny because I asked the barkeeper about a certain drink (old) but he didn’t know – and no he didn’t have my second choice either – it was a tequila bar anyway. Well, it was OK because after our playful banter I asked for a water and lemon – and then told him it was the best lemon water I had ever had (and it was really good!) 

Jesus was my barkeeper friend because honestly I needed the water more than a drink – I had the happy for the happy hour anyway – and we celebrated a friend’s big birthday in a little singing which he hated but probably appreciated…

Jesus is our friend in so many ways – not just the barkeeper friend that I spoke of – and of all those barkeepers who listen to so many people’s tales. I even used “barkeeper’s friend”, an excellent cleaner, this morning – wow it did wonders on my glass top stove! A barkeeper’s friend keeps things clean and lively and moving.

Jesus – is that friend above all friends – He guides – He inspires – He listens – and He even cleans up the job afterwords – including all the spills and divots and stuck on grease – and sinful stains…

I am glad that I bought this “barkeeper’s friend” cleaner and that I “bought into” asking for forgiveness and guidance from Jesus – and so blessed we are that Jesus “BOUGHT” our freedom with His Ransom of His Life… We couldn’t ever tip Him enough – and He wouldn’t take our money anyway – He Paid for it ALL.

AMEN

Paul to the Ephesians 3:16-19 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

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Jesus speaking in John 15:9-17 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.“