Faithbase

Greetings and salutations. So delightful to have you back with us once again. And we're happy to be able to share with you another continuation of Dr. J's thoughts. Dealing with authenticity and friendship. The real deal. Proverbs 17 and 17 says a friend's love at all times and a brother is born for a time of adversity. You know, when we think about the real deal when it comes to friendship, we normally think of someone that will stick closer to you than you can ever hope to imagine. Because they got your back. They're the real deal. They'll be there when times get tough. They'll be there in the good times and bad times. They'll go with you through the struggle. They're the real deal. Well, I stopped with a pause today to say Jesus is the real deal. Authenticity and friendship is the real deal. But Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who was hung up for our hang-ups, who live and died that we might have life and have it more abundantly, that ensures that he sits on the right hand of the Father, making intercessions for our transgressions, and he's the real deal. If you are to truly embrace the tapestry of life's vibrant moments and dance with unbridled joy, then you must realize that natural friends can be there for you and there's nothing like it. But no one can do you like Jesus. No one can be for you what Jesus can be for you and to you. And so what I've been saying here today is that in all our gettings, get an understanding and understand that when you put first things first, as Stephen Covey says in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, put first things first. You want to put J-E-S-U-S. Yes, that's right. It spells Jesus. Jesus. You want to keep Jesus first. He's the friend that sticks closer to you than any brother. He's a friend that you can always count on in the midst of whatever you're going through. He's better than VO5. He holds in all kind of weather. He's better than scotch tape. Because you see, like scotch tape, you can't see it always, but he's always there. Making a way out of no way that we can have a brighter day. Treasure the authenticity of the connection that God gives you to his son, Jesus. And make Jesus your choice of being your best friend. What a friend we have in Jesus. We have a friend in Jesus that is so powerful. He'll make ways out of no way. Embrace the gift of God's son in Jesus. He's the friend that will never leave you. Never leave you comfortless. Matter of fact, he ensured the Holy Spirit would be available to us and for us, that we can have life and have it more abundantly. Trust God and know that, and never doubt, he's always making a way that you can have a brighter day. Trust God. Authenticity and friendship. Jesus is the real deal. And I hope that as you think about this devotion, and you read it a little later, you'll walk away saying, can't nobody do me like Jesus. Can't nobody do me like the Lord. Pick me up, turn me around. Gabe set my feet on solid ground. Became my friend and has walked with me again and again, giving me faith to run the race, understanding that as long as I have him, I have more than enough. What a friend we have in Jesus. The only thing we have to do is practice authenticity and the friendship. Keep it real with him. And he'll keep it real with you 24 seven. God bless you. Thank you for this moment in time and look forward to the next time. In the meantime, remember God's not finished blessing you. Have a super fantastic day. And this is Dr. J. Blessings and peace. See you next time.