Verse of the Day

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”
John 15:13-15
“The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend.”
Exodus 33:11
“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.”
James 2:23

He Calls Me Friend

Something that is hard for me to comprehend is that the God who create the vast limitless universe; designed the most complicated systems such as the human body; is beyond time and space; would create US, not as some impersonal piece of matter, but as a friend. A friend. We are fortunate if we go through life with four or five good friends and God is EVERYONES friend. Jesus called His disciples friends. Why, because He spent time with them. He knew them. He wants to do the same with us. If we are going to be a friend of God then we must build a relationship. That doesn’t mean we go to church and thats it. We need to fellowship, worship and hear the word of God but it is still not enough. It doesn’t come by reciting creeds, as good as they are. It doesn’t come by reading about God, although this certainly gives us context. It doesn’t come by simply reading the Bible, although this is not some thing that should be set aside or neglected as it is a big part of relating to God. Friendship with God comes by spending time with Him. It comes through conversation with Him. It comes through an exchange of feelings, thoughts, concerns and aspirations. Try today to carve out some time to be alone with God. Share with Him, tell Him you want His friendship. Listen to Him, wait for Him and enjoy His presence. Start today to spend time with God and build a friendship with Him.

Todays Prayer

Father, You know me,  but I must admit, I don’t know you well. I know in my head that you love me but I haven’t sensed a friendship with you in my heart. I want to be your friend. I want to know you in a much deeper and more personal way. Help me to that end. Guide me into a friendship with you I pray. In Jesus Name.
AMEN

Verse of the Day

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
Isaiah 26:3

Gods Perfect Peace

What are you thinking about? What are your thoughts fixed on? Gods wants us to consider our thoughts and judge them according to His word. When trouble comes our way we begin to fear. When it does we have a choice to make. Will we remain in fear and let it escalate into panic? Or will we follow todays passage and trust in God, fixing our thoughts on Him? When we do, He promises us peace. Not just any peace, His perfect peace. It is the same way with anger, doubt, jealously, and a hundred other thoughts that come into our life everyday. Today, when negative thoughts come to your mind, begin a new habit. Trade them for peace. How you ask? By giving your thoughts to God and then choose to trust in Him by fixing your thoughts in His love for you.

Todays Prayer

Father, Give me your positive thinking, your perfect peace. Help me today to fix all my thoughts on you.

Amen Father