No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. – John 15:15, NKJV
This year, I am experiencing a great swell of gratitude for the friends God has brought into my life. I’ve also discovered a new kind of joy as I watch the friends I love fall in love with each other. Whether I get to connect them within our church family, at conferences or on the mission fields in Haiti, it excites me to see their new friendships form.
It’s all so good. It’s all so God.
Today, I rest and soak in the truth that Jesus, the Son of God, calls me friend. Acknowledging the significance of this explodes my earthly definition and recasts it within the context of holiness and eternity. And like the very nature of God, His promise of this relationship is beyond what I can comprehend. But the realness of it is validated in my life over and over again. It’s there, ever-present, in all He has done and how He cares for me.
What my Friend did for me…
He lived this life as an example – For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. ~ Hebrews 4:15
He paid a debt I could not – For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. ~ Ephesians 2:8,9
He rescued me from death – But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). ~ Ephesians 2:4,5
He redeemed me for eternity – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. ~ John 3:16
He restored my relationship with the Father – But now in Christ Jesus the blood of Christ has bought you who were far off near. He is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separations. ~ Ephesians 2:13,14
How my Friend cares for me…
He’s faithful, even when I am not – If we are faithless, He will remain faithful; He cannot deny Himself. ~ II Timothy 2:13
He supports me with all the grace I need – Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ~ Hebrews 4:16
He leads, guides, and directs in all things – All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the men of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for ever good work. ~ II Timothy 3:16,17
He equips me to perform great works –Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ~ John 14:12
He empowers me to accomplish His call – But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. ~ Acts 1:8
Who am I that You are mindful of me?
That You hear me when I call
Is it true that You are thinking of me?
How You love me it’s amazing
I am a friend of God
Lyrics by Craig & Dean Phillips – Israel Houghton
Are you receiving all your Friend has for you? He’s there, waiting just for you.
Living to Serve,
Tami