Is That Your Friend?

Friend:

1.  a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard. 
2.  a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter:
3.  a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile:

...

      6.  a person associated with another as a contact on a social- media website:

Above is the dictionary definition of the word friend. As God placed this topic on my heart I felt unqualified to write on this topic. So I prayed that He would remove ME and speak through me, into and out of the places HE knew to be true, pure and called according to HIS Romans 8:30 word. 

   I love speaking to children. They are honest, simple in their communication, it's pure and refreshing. When one of my nieces was a lil girl it seemed like every week she had a new/ another 'best friend'. I remember asking her one time "Why is she your best friend? Why isn't she just your friend?" and in a tone that would suggest my ignorance she simply replied, "Because she is better than all my other friends." (BTW: The dictionary definition of  best friend simply says - A persons closest friend.) Well, there you have it. Lol makes sense to me. 

What about our FRIENDS? Are they a reflection of us? Are they in our lives for seasons? Should they believe what we believe? Are they required to support us? Are they just people we know on social media but not in real life? Are the expectations higher for friends you've known longer? 

as you can probably tell I'm overwhelmed by this topic. As I type I realize this entry comes one week exactly after the death of one of my closest childhood friends. 

My inner monologue at this moment: "God I don't know what you are doing right now, but please don't do it with out me."

John 15:14  says You are my friends if you do what I command you. 

John 15:15 says I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 

James 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him righteousness'- and he was called a friend of God. 

  As I read these scriptures I keep hearing the word ACCESS! Being a friend gives you ACCESS. If I'm an NBA player being my friend could give you access to tickets to games. If I'm a singer, being a friend could give you access to live performances and parties, If I'm an airline attendant being a friend could give you access to 'buddy passes'. Friendship gives us access! 

What then does being FRIENDS OF GOD give us access to? 

  Everlasting life, Forgiveness, Grace, Favor, Mercy, did I say Forgiveness? Honestly,  it's sometimes hard to forgive a friend who hurts you simply because 'They knew you enough' they had enough ACCESS to know that doing "that thing" would hurt you. Oh but God, we have His WORD, He sent HIS SON, to die for us and we still hurt HIM, yet HE forgives us time and time again. 

  Having a 'Title' gives some people a perceived esteem or authority. What greater esteem is there than having God call us friend especially when being HIS friend gives us access to all of his benefits! So let's work everyday to honor our friendship with Christ. To nurture it, protect it and do what's necessary to strengthen it! To wear our friendship with Christ with esteem. Imagine you could take a selfie with God!!! what? You'd look great even if you looked bad because being in HIS presence makes you look better! So let's look better, let's imagine everywhere we go we are a picture of God's love, friendship, mercy, forgiveness, tenderness, etc. etc. I promise sister, in looking more like HIM and honoring HIS friendship we will be better FRIENDS to those HE is calling us to love. 

Bible on Friendship (How to pick your friends, Treat your friends, etc. )

  If you or someone you know is having a hard time retaining or valuing friendship please pray this prayer. Thank you God. Thank you dear God for access. Access to your love, your mercy and your grace. Thank you for your word dear God and for your forgiveness every time I took/take your friendship for granted. I thank you God that today I begin a journey of looking more like you. May my heart be patient, may my words be kind, may I extend grace and forgiveness just as you have shown me and may my life be a testament that I am your friend. May friends, family and strangers know the value of my friendship with you dear God and may I never take for granted the access our friendship provides. May I represent your splendor and may you call me friend at the end of each passing day. In your mighty name, Amen!

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Tweetable Recap: Being God's friend is like having a VIP pass for eternity! 

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Be blessed!