391: Friend of God

I am in the Detroit airport heading home from a great weekend with my friends at Cathedral of Life Christian Assembly in Providence, Rhode Island.  Now I am home until I head over to the UK on March 27 to be with my UK distributor, Everlasting Books.  I will publish my UK itinerary as soon as I receive it.

I have been thinking the last few days about how spiritual it sounds to say, "Lord, I'll do whatever You want me to do."  It is what any good servant should say.  Yet I wonder if saying that does not avoid a subtle truth about our relationship with God.  What subtle truth, you may ask?  Ah, to receive the answer you will have to read on.

FOREVER A SERVANT

I want to look at John 15:14-16 as we start this discussion:

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. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

There are many who are comfortable with living in an eternal state of servant-hood where God is concerned.  I wonder, however, if that position doesn't avoid a deeper relationship that moves from service to friendship.  When you are a servant, you do what you have to do.  When you are a friend, you do what you choose to do because you love your friend.  Yes, you may serve your friend, but that relationship is totally different than the master/servant.

When you are a servant, you do what you are told to do.  When you are a friend, you do what is in your heart to do. This is why I think that at some point you must transition from only being God's servant to being His servant and friend.

FRIEND OF GOD

Notice that Jesus followed His remarks on friendship by reminding the disciples that they were chosen to bear fruit and not just be friends with Him.  He also reminded them that God would answer their prayers that flowed out of their friendship with Him.  So is it safe to say that your fruit and answers to prayer will do the same?

I am not trying to reduce God to the level of your "buddy" or "pal."  Rather I am trying to elevate you, trying to deliver you from the mindset of a slave. When you are a slave, you wait to be told what to do. When you are a friend, you anticipate what you have to do and that makes you a good friend.  I want to be a good friend of God, while still being His servant and Him my Lord.

So what will it be?  Will you choose a life of servant-hood only or a life of friendship with the Lord?  I choose friendship, realizing that the role of friend requires fruit and prayer.  I think I have chosen wisely, and I invite you to join me in this major step as together we seek to serve Him and one another.  Have a great week!

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THE SOPHIA FUND:  I received the following email from Kenya this week, written by Pastor Francis at the Upako Orphanage:

This is to let you know that we received $1000 from you through Sarah Network for the feeding of the orphans at Upako Centre Nairobi.We are indeed very grateful to you and all involved in this and we have channeled the money to the children's food kitty and to no other use. I will give the breakdown of what we bought with the money after use.

I also want to congratulate the wonderful people who visited Kenya with you and got the opportunity to visit Upako,they too made a difference and may God bless all of you. Finally, keep us in prayer so that you may continue helping Upako Children alongside other projects in Kenya.

Every penny you send will go to feed the poor in Zimbabwe and Kenya. Nothing goes to overhead or administration.  Won't you consider helping orphans and widows today? You can read about my rationale for The Fund here (named after my late mother) that will help feed widows and orphans in Kenya and Zimbabwe. 

Please consider a contribution of at least $5 toward the fund and hopefully more.  You can use the "Chipin" widget on the Monday Memo site to contribute, or go directly to my website to contribute there through PayPal, or send a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA  15221.  Make sure you let me know it is for The Sophia Fund. Don't delay; give today and make a difference in the world.

The most recent posted entry about The Sophia Fund is here.

Comments

[Caroline]

hie friend

Just to say thank you so much for all the mails. I was reading your last mail and i just want to say, I am a friend of God! I love that.

Stay blessed

Shalom