Friendship with Jesus

Dear Friends,

Summer months are quickly coming to a close. My time at the YMCA in Estes Park ended on my birthday, followed by celebrations with family. After several days of rest and reentry, a full ministry schedule resumed. So many things for which to be thankful!

• I am confident that I finished well at the Y. All-in-all, it was a time of learning about myself, challenge to correct some things in my life, and affirmation and refinement of my call during this season. I’m grateful for the experience … but glad to be back home!
• Following my return home, I had quiet days to reorient, prepare my home, plan for upcoming ministry, study, read, and write. Really thankful that I had the foresight not to plan anything and could rest well.
• It definitely stretched me to facilitate two debriefs, back-to-back. Maybe I wasn’t as rested as I thought. Ha! But the two couples were strong leaders with open hearts. I felt honored to sit with them and listen to miraculous stories of God’s intervention, provision, and direction. I like my job 😊
• I’ve recently had a few meetings with local pastors. It’s one of my favorite things to do. Their jobs and responsibilities are unlike any other. What they do is hard. Please pause now and pray for pastors you know. Put yourself in their shoes. Ask Jesus, our Great Intercessor (Romans 8), what He is praying for them. Ask Holy Spirit to lead you in prayer. You may find yourself praying things you’ve never thought of before!
• Every Sunday morning and evening this month, I had the privilege of worshiping with and teaching in various churches in the area. I continue to enjoy the peaceful drive to Wyoming every Sunday evening. New people are coming! I am humbled by the leaders who entrust the teaching of God’s Word and their people to me during their services.

Since I’ve been learning so much about prayer this year, I decided to compile a resource book of various prayer methods, teachings, and guides. Teaching through the written word is a very different way to communicate. I’m learning a lot about writing. I’ll let you know when the book is complete! Additionally, I’m writing sermons on prayer, a compilation of devotionals for Communion celebrations, and a study guide about Friendship with Holy Spirit. I’d really appreciate your prayers for these writing projects. I want to print God’s words in God’s way with God’s heart.

An excerpt from one of the Communion devotionals

In John chapters 14 through 17, Jesus refers to us as His friends. “I no longer call you servants … I have called you friends.” (15:15) “You are My friends if you do what I command.” (15:14) We sometimes think of Jesus — even God — as our Friend. Less often, we think of Holy Spirit being our Friend, and yet, He is God’s Personal Presence … not just with us as Jesus was, but in us! If ever a Friend were close, it’s Holy Spirit!

But how often do we think of ourselves as being God’s friend? Abraham trusted God and it was credited to him as righteousness … and he was called God’s friend! (James 2:23). The Lord would “speak to Moses face to face as a man speaks with his friend.” (Exodus 33:11) What conversations they must have had; conversations between trusted friends.

To this table, our friend Jesus invites us to dine with Him as friends. He said to His disciples, Do this … and remember My friendship. We are His friends if we do what He commands; if we obey Him. He said, “Do this …” So, here we are.

Jesus said, “Remember Me …” We remember when He said, “There’s no greater love than when one lays down his life for his friend. You are My friends …” We remember that night in Gethsemane when Judas the betrayer came with the guards to arrest Jesus. “Friend, you betray me with a kiss?” We remember, we reflect, we relive that horrible day when His friend John was the only disciple at the cross. Jesus entrusted the care of His own mother to John. We remember that awful, glorious day when our Friend Jesus laid down His life for us.

And at this table we also remember that day-of-days when Jesus’ friend Mary found His tomb empty. Soon afterward, His friend Peter — still hopeful, even under the shame of denial — realized that Jesus still wanted to be friends!

And so, it is with us. Whatever your struggle, Jesus would like to be your Friend. Will you let Him? Whatever your story, Jesus wants you to be His friend. Will you be His friend?

Jesus, thank You for welcoming us to this table of friends. Thank You for inviting us to sit at Your table; it is an honor to be here. As we come to remember, we honor You as the best of friends: the most loyal, the most sincere, the most constant, the most dependable Friend anyone could ever wish for. May we also be a good friend to You. Amen.

Thanks for reading, Friends!

Mary Jean

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Ways to partner: Give online at getthewordout.cc/give · Venmo: @Mary Jean Powers / Get the Word Out · By check: Get the Word Out, 4210 Vulcan Creek Dr. Unit 208, Loveland, CO 80538.