God - Our Best Friend

God longs to be our best friend.

We were created to live continually in God’s presence and to have an intimate friendship with Him.

'Now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God –
all because of what Jesus has done for us in making us friends of God.'
Romans 5:11

Jesus said, 'I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father.'

God wants us to know Him intimately.

'He made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near.' Acts 17:26-27

We become friends with someone through continuous conversation. Friends talk to each other often and share details of their life.

Friends share secrets. God shares His secrets with us when we spend time with Him throughout the day.

It's possible carry on a constant conversation with God.
We can talk to Him about what we’re doing and thinking and pause to listen for His response.

In Thessalonians we are told to pray without ceasing, this means having a day-long conversation with God.

It’s possible because God is with us all the time. Ephesians 4 tells us that God rules everything and is everywhere and in everything.

We can know our Father; He’s waiting to make Himself known. All we have to do is to stop long enough to wait and listen.

We can all be as close to God as we choose to be.

God told the captives in Babylon 'When you come looking for me, you'll find me. 'Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed.' Jeremiah 29:13

Keep on asking; keep on seeking until you get what you're after.

When you draw close to God, He will draw close to you.
That’s His promise.

To know Jesus as a personal friend is the greatest privilege we have, not just knowing about Him but really knowing Him. Jesus told the disciples that He would be their friend. They talked with Him about everything and He talked with them, daily. Jesus wants the same with us today.

It’s never too late to start cultivating and nurturing a friendship with God.

Dialogue with Him and meditate on what He says to you.
Speak to God and wait for Him speak to you.

'Pray remember what I have recommended to you, which is, to think often on God, by day, by night, in your business, and even in your diversions. He is always near you and with you; leave Him not alone. You would think it rude to leave a friend alone, who came to visit you: why then must God be neglected? Do not then forget Him, but think on Him often, adore Him continually live and die with Him; this is the glorious employment of a Christian; in a word, this is our profession, if we do not know it we must learn it.'
Brother Lawrence

Andrew Murray, in his book 'Waiting on God', writes, 'We must not only think of our waiting upon God, but also of what is more wonderful still, of God's waiting upon us. The vision of Him waiting on us will give new impulse and inspiration to our waiting upon Him. It will give us an
unspeakable confidence that our waiting cannot be in vain. If He waits for us, then we may be sure that we are more than welcome, and that He rejoices to find those He has been seeking for.'
See 'How Real Is God To You' for information on Brother Lawrence.

This week’s free offering is 'How To Pray' by RA Toorey. If you’d like a PDF file of this classic on prayer just e-mail Lynne and put 'how to pray' in the subject line.

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