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I no longer call you servants, because a servant does"); document.writeln("not know his masters business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything"); document.writeln("that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me,"); document.writeln("but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit\'�”fruit"); document.writeln("that will last\'�”and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give"); document.writeln("you. This is my command: Love each other.¹

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Believers think of the Savior as Lord, King, or Master, but"); document.writeln("how often do we see Him as our friend?

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This may be difficult for us to understand, but not for Him."); document.writeln("Jesus Christ:

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Accepts us. Unconditional acceptance means that we can"); document.writeln("always draw near to the Lord. He may want us to become more like Him, but we"); document.writeln("continue to be accepted no matter what is happening to us.

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Walks with us in testing. God promises that He will never"); document.writeln("forsake or leave His people (Hebrews 13:5). He is faithful in both good and bad"); document.writeln("times.

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Is always available. He is never too busy to satisfy our"); document.writeln("needs or answer our prayers.

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Listens to us. We can share our doubts, fears, and joys with"); document.writeln("the Lord because He cares about what is on our mind and wants to hear from us."); document.writeln("Whatever we say, even angry screams and tears will always be received with the"); document.writeln("assurance of His love.

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We can find comfort in knowing that the Lord has a plan for"); document.writeln("every believer and will care for us. Thank Him today for the way He watches"); document.writeln("over us. As the hymn says, \"What a friend we have in Jesus!\"

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Suggested Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, whenever doubts come"); document.writeln("to me because life gets heavy, remind me that You are not only my Lord, King,"); document.writeln("or Master, but You are also my Friend, my best Friend. You accept me as I am,"); document.writeln("for you know everything about me. You walk with me in trials. Even if everyone"); document.writeln("leaves me, You are always with me. You always have time for me and you always"); document.writeln("hear my prayers. What a privilege to be able to call you Friend. In the name of"); document.writeln("Jesus I pray, Amen.

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1. John"); document.writeln("15:15-17 (NIV).

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Today\'s Encounter was written by: Rosina N.

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