Choosy Bonds Part 1

Good Son-Day!!! 

Flow With Jo



Choosy Bonds Part 1

I am about to navigate you through the adventure of choosing your friends using biblical passages as a guide.  The starting point will be with how Christ chose people to walk with Him on a daily basis.  Needless to say He chose an eclectic, motley crew, which included a hated tax collector, several poor stinky fishermen, a man who saw Christ perform multiple miracles (including raising people from the dead---but doubted Christ's resurrection, a loud boisterous man in need of anger management treatment, a hardline right wing zealous jew, a few family members, and a man He knew who would betray Him.

We are all thinking; so, I will say it.  Do you really want to start with Christ?  How about starting with the feel good best friends examples like Joshua and Caleb, David and Nathan, Naomi and Ruth, or Paul and Mark?  Those are perfect examples.  Friendships are not perfect and can be wonky, just like relationships in families can be wonky.

So, always, back to Christ.  What can we learn from His selection of friends who really do not have a lot in common?  Christ could see through the exterior and faults and see the best in people.  He gave them the opportunity to have a relationship with His love, grace, and power.  His call to them was intentional. Jesus chose people who would complement each other, offer different perspectives, and ultimately contribute to a well-rounded mission.  Save one, who still served a purpose. They rewarded Him with their lives trying to spread His Word.  Only two apostles died of old age.  The rest were martyrs.  Insert song, "Something Got a Hold of Me".

The process of choosing friends He wanted and we should mimic started in prayer.

Luke 6:12-16

12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: 14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

You are familiar with Not my will, but your will be done (Luke 22:42), this passage also means consulting God on who your friends should be. This concept is not profound,but often overlooked or not considered necessary.  There may be overconfidence in your selection process.  Reminding me of George Lopez's signature phrase on the George Lopez Show, "I got this!".  And how did that work for him?

More about why Judas was selected.  We all know the story of Judas.  Keep in mind he was not the only apostle who betrayed Christ, Peter did too, three times.  The difference is Peter rebounded and accepted God's grace (undeserved favor).  He then went on tear in establishing a church that continues to this day.  Judas was looking for a different kind of Jesus, Yeshua, Joshua----name means "Savior".  He felt guilty for betraying a confidant and innocent man.  He did not see the Word, the diety, the grace and love Christ often spoke about.  He fulfilled scripture.

In John 13:18, Christ quoted Psalm 41:9  Here are the passages:
John 13:18
“I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture that says, . . .

 Psalm 41:9 Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.

Judas' betrayal did not end the Savior's story at the cross; it allowed for Christ to rise again; so, we can do likewise.  We celebrate Jesus' resurrection 2,000 years later on Sunday March 31.

Do your friends see you for who you truly are?  Or do they see you for something you are not?  Do they see for their purpose, which you cannot or will not fulfill?

Friends are not perfect.  Forgiveness is.  A true friend sees the real you and will look to amend wrongs and stick by your side to the end and give up their lives for you like the apostles did. With a genuine friend you will want to reciprocate.

Next: Choosy Bonds Part 2.

"Song of the Week"  -  Hallelujah! Sing a New Song to GOD. Sing HIS praise in the assembly of godly people. Psalm 149:1.

I think you know I have an affinity for songs that transcend you to an uplifting experience that you will want to hear again and again.  This is another one.

"Walking On Water", 2023, Fresh Start Worship


Lyrics Walking On Water
Holy
Holy water fallin fresh on me
Fresh on me
Fresh on me

You can't stop thses blessings
That are chasing me
That are chasing me

Look good
Feel good
Smell good
'Cause You been good to be
Good to me
He's so good that
You just have to taste and see

Look good
Feel good
Smell good
'Cause You been good to be
Good to me
He's so good that
You just have to taste and see

Drip too nice
Smile to brigh
I'm on 
Walking on water
I'm walking on water

Never worried, can't complain
When you seeme, I'm not the same
'Cause I'm walking on water
I'm walking on water
Drip too nice
Smile to brigh
I'm on 
Walking on water
I'm walking on water

Never worried, can't complain
When you see me, I'm not the same
'Cause I'm walking on water
I'm walking on water
This and that it works for my good
I still win in the end so I'm good, I'm good

Look good
Feel good
Smell good
'Cause You been good to be
Good to me
He's so good that
You just have to taste and see

Look good
Feel good
Smell good
'Cause You been good to be
Good to me
He's so good that
You just have to taste and see

Drip too nice
Smile to brigh
I'm on 
Walking on water
I'm walking on water

Never worried, can't complain
When you seeme, I'm not the same
'Cause I'm walking on water
I'm walking on water

Drip too nice
Smile to brigh
I'm on 
Walking on water
I'm walking on water

Never worried, can't complain
When you seeme, I'm not the same
'Cause I'm walking on water
I'm walking on water

Water
Water
Water
Water
I'm walking on water
I'm walking on water

Water
Water
Water
Water
I'm walking on water
I'm walking on water


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