I have a friend that sticks closer than a brother, and his name is Jesus. Solomon spoke a word in Proverbs 17:17, saying, "A friend loves at all times." Talking about a friend that sticks closer than a brother and a friend that loves at all times, I had biological brothers and sisters, but none of them were in my life. I was the only one out of eight that was not in the home with them. On September 25, 1975, when I found my way to the Cross, Jesus told me, "I will never leave you, nor will I forsake you. I'm going to be with always." On June 19, 2021, I was at my church that Saturday morning, crying and praying. I felt so all alone. I was under such heavy burdens. I felt like what the prophet Isaiah said, "When the enemy shall come in like a flood." As I was crying, talking to the Lord, telling him, "I feel so all alone. I don't have anybody," I heard Jesus say unto me, "I am your friend that sticks closer than a brother." Jesus told me, "Begin writing the book, and title it I Have a Friend That Sticks Closer than a Brother, His Name Is Jesus."

JESUS,THE BEST FRIEND! J.C. Ryle, 1878 "Yes, He is altogether lovely. This is my Beloved, and this is my FRIEND!" Song of Solomon 5:16 "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say: Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a FRIEND of tax collectors and sinners!" Luke 7:34 A friend is one of the greatest blessings on earth. Tell me not of moneylove is better than gold; sympathy is better than lands. He is the poor manwho has no friends! This world is full of sorrowbecause it is full of sin. It is a dark place. It is a lonely place. It is a disappointing place. The brightest sunbeam in it, is a friend. Friendship halves our troublesand doubles our joys! A real friend is scarce and rare. There are many who will eat, and drink, and laugh with us in the sunshine of prosperity. There are few who will stand by us in the days of darknessfew who will love us when we are sick, helpless, and poorfew, above all, who will care for our souls! Does any reader of this paper want a real friend? I write to recommend one to your notice this day. I know of One "who sticks closer than a brother!" (Proverbs 18:24) I know of One who is ready to be your friend for time and for eternity, if you will receive Him. Hear me, while I try to tell you something about Him. The friend I want you to know is Jesus Christ. Happy is that family in which Christ has the foremost place! Happy is that person whose chief friend is Christ!

This book reveals powerful revelation, truth, and wisdom on friends and friendship from a scriptural perspective. It will change your outlook on how you view friendship! Did you know that God himself has a lot to say about friends and friendship? For example: Abraham was called the friend of God. (James 2:23) Moses was a man who spoke to God, as a man speaks to his friend, face to face. (Exodus 33:11) Jesus said in John 15:13 ..Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. Some of the most powerful and interesting wisdom on friendship is recorded in the book of Proverbs! Solomon said in Proverbs 18:24.. A man that has friends must show himself friendly, and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. You will be blessed, challenged and inspired by what the Word of God says about friends and true friendship!

I have a friend... ...who is always faithful; ...who can meet all your needs; ...who will never leave you. This friend is Jesus Christ. Since I have known Him, He has been faithful in all His promises, "the same yesterday, and today, and forever"(Hebrews 13:8). Through my joys and sorrows He has been a friend who sticks "closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). I first met Him when I read His invitation in the Bible: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). I came to Him, and He freed me from my burden of sin and guilt and gave me hope for living. Daily He meets my needs. He promises, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you... Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). When I am lonely and worried, I remember His words: "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). I know that even at the hour of death He will remain with me, and one day He will take me to Heaven to live with Him. How can you and I be sure of Christ's love? The Bible says, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). We can be assured of His love because He, the sinless Son of God, suffered for our sins on the Cross of Calvary. We can know that Christ's love is everlasting. Because He rose from the grave and returned to the Father in Heaven, He can say, "I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore" (Revelation 1:18). Yes, we can trust the Lord Jesus as our eternal friend. He invites us, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20). If you have never trusted Jesus as your Savior, invite Him into your life today. Follow Him and He will never fail you. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24).

When I spoke to the Lord about friendship, He told me that there is one who possesses everything that we need in a friend. If we have accepted Jesus in our hearts then we are given Holy Spirit. He becomes our best friend. The world does not know anything about Him because they have not accepted Jesus into their heart. Proverbs 18:24 "A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." His name is Holy Spirit.

Author Fern Buzinski writes with the heart of a teacher and the wisdom of a mentor to bring us As Sure as the Dawn. She communicates truth in clear and uncomplicated ways. This daily devotional flows from the deep well of life experience and personal study with daily prayers that touch heaven. Let the reader beware: Hope will rise!

Sharing the Love is a collection of short stories. It is meant to inspire children to grow in faith with love, joy, and peace, which are the first three fruits of the Spirit. Children learn to enjoy life to the fullest as they rely and depend on God. Enjoy the adventures of these character-building stories.