We've said on many occasions that Fauquier Baptist Church is the friendliest church in these parts or anywhere for that matter. We certainly don't impose on anyone, but if one had rather be around happy, friendly folks, then this is the place.

     Not long ago, I visited a Baptist church not far from here during their revival services. As I walked in, heads turned and heads looked and sized me up as if I might rob the place, and not a one came over with a "welcome" to our church or "go away" or anything else. I knew the evangelist. He delivered an exceptionally good sermon, but there weren't many "Amens!" When the service was over, not one said a word or offered a handshake except a certain young lady, who said 'thanks for coming." I've been in chruches throughtout this country, East, North, South, and West, but this particular church was one of the most unfriendly churches I had ever been in., anywhere.

     According to many polls, the number one thing folks look for when seeking a church home, is a friendly atmosphere and friendly folks. After all, who would want to associate with a church full of unfriendly people? Unfriendly folks are generally unhappy, grouchy, stingy, uncaring, opinionated, and negatively minded. You might, but I would not want to be part of such a group of people whether it be, a church, civic association, a place of employment, or anything else.

     When out in the community visiting, often I tell folks that they have a friend at this church. If it is a prayer request, a loved one in the hospital, encouragement, whatever ...they have a friend in this Pastor and this church. God put this church in this community for a reason and one part of that reason is to be the kind of friend that our Lord Jesus Christ would be: A friend that is loving, caring, and compassionate. Our text verse states: " A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly..." I thank God for the many friends that I have made: Friendship is priceless!

     Part B of our text verse states: ". . .and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." That friend is none other than our Lord. He said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." The greatest thing any person will ever do is take Jesus Christ as personal Saviour. Doing so makes one a believer, saved, and born-again (all the same). Jesus said in John 15:15, "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." It is great to be a friend of God!

     It's been said that a true friend is:

One that loves in spite of one's faults.

One that can be depended upon when all others falter.

One that speaks no harm against the object of his friendship.

One that looks for the best traits and overlooks the worst.

One that extends warmth when circumstances are cold.

One that speaks kindly when harshly spoken to.

One that extends a helping hand even when the arm is tired.

One that sticketh to the end!

As the song goes, "What a Friend we have in Jesus!" Is He your Friend? If not, trust Him today, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13.

     May God richly bless and thanks for your friendship!