I Am A Friend of God

Many of us have people in our personal lives that we consider to be friends. Throughout our lives we are blessed to have special people who we can talk to and share life’s joys and sorrows with, along with developing the special bond of friendship. The Bible tells us in Exodus 33:11,“So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” Moses and God shared a unique relationship. The Bible tells us that God spoke to Moses like a dear friend would speak to another; and I am sure that Moses talked with God much the same way. Many Christians see God as a mighty, awesome, all powerful, being, whose throne is in heaven and we can only hope to reach him with our prayers. In fact we think that we have to come to God with piety and reverence and we fail to realize that our Heavenly Father loves us and is full of grace and mercy and desires to spend time with us. We should feel as comfortable talking to God in prayer as we do in the fellowship of a friend. God is our friend, and he wants us to feel the freedom to come to Him in prayer no matter what the circumstances may be in our lives. This is what the write of Hebrews meant when he wrote in Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly before the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” When we come to God in prayer, it is important to remember that He is our friend, and we should remember the words of the praise song we sometimes sing at my church, "I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God, I am friend of God he calls me friend."

Why Do We Suffer?

Sometimes we seem to have the idea that if we are suffering, if things are not going smoothly for us, we are not in God's will. In actuality, the opposite is often true. Sometimes God lets us go through trials in order to teach us, to refine us, to strengthen us. Romans 5:3-5 says "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Some suffering is simply a result of living in a fallen world. As long as we live on this Earth, we will encounter illness, physical and emotional pain, financial distress etc. Only in Heaven will there be no suffering at all. Some suffering is brought on by our own mistakes and sins. Sometimes people are quick to blame satan for financial problems, work problems, marriage problems, and the like. Sometimes he is the cause. But often, it's easier to blame satan than to admit to our own responsibility or do the hard work required, in order to overcome the problem. However, some suffering is inflicted by Satan, in hopes of discouraging us and leading us off the difficult, narrow path. If we are trying to do things God's way, the devil certainly isn't going to make things easy for us. Sometimes we underestimate Satan's power. The Bible tells us that we should expect difficulties. Jesus was unequivocal about this. He told us in John 16:33-"These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." He didn't say, "you may have trials and sorrows." He didn't say, "if you stray off the right path you will have trials and sorrows." Nope. He says "you will have tribulation and trials and sorrow." So how are we to deal with them? Instead of being bitter or depressed or discouraged, we should hear the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:18-"In everything give thanks."Paul didn't say "if things are going your way, be thankful." He said "no matter what happens," be thankful. Be thankful for God's grace and peace that will keep you in the trials.

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God's Word for Today

Psalm 62:7

"In God is my salvation and my glory;The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God."

The Jellyfish

This past summer, while on vacation with my family, we had an opportunity to visit an aquarium and see all the different types of oceanic creatures and marine life. I was especially intrigued by a jellyfish as it was displaying its range of beautiful blue colors. I was told by our tour guide that jellyfish, whether in or out of the ocean, are very dangerous and its tentacles contain poison that paralyze its victim. When the jellyfish is in the ocean, it is translucent- blending in with its environment. It is lovely and graceful, and you would not realize the danger it possesses until you are stung with its almost invisible tentacles. This jellyfish reminds me of Satan, for he can offer himself, looking lovely and inviting, and he can tempt us in very subtle ways. The Apostle Paul reminds us of this truth, and he admonishes us to be on guard, “in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” (2 Corinthians 2:11) Satan is deceptive and cunning, alluring us and beckoning us daily. His tentacles of greed, lust, selfishness and other temptations can reach out and grab us- infecting us with his poisonous sting -- either in or out of his comfortable environment. This is why we must hear the words in James 4:7 which tell us, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” We must defy temptation by praying for strength to resist and by saying "no" when we are tempted. A temptation does not turn into a sin until we give in to it. So let us beware of the enemy of our souls “and do not give the devil an opportunity.” (Ephesians 4:27) Just like the tentacles of the jellyfish, sin can sting us because it is presented in such an appealing manner. It often offers a quick route to financial gains or social acceptance; or, it may also masquerade as love or give a false feeling of security. Sometimes sin will invade our lives when we are unaware-but most often it knocks on our door tempting us with delights. Sin prevents us from serving God effectively, and can harden our hearts toward things of righteousness. Our sins were nailed to the cross with Jesus, but temptation is not erased from our lives when we become Christians. So remember that Satan is seeking to steal, kill and destroy and he can and will deceive us in order to cause us to stumble. Pray for God’s strength and you will be able to win out over the devil.

God's Word for Today

Psalm 118:1

"O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever."

Happy New Year 2008

Happy New Year to everyone and I pray that 2008 will be a year of blessing and prosperity for everyone. May God bless you and your family and may you experience His riches blessings in your life this year.