OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: SUNDAY NOVEMBER 17TH 2024
THEME: FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD
MEMORISE:
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. John 15:14
READ: JOHN 15:13-15
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
MESSAGE:
God has many children, but as every parent knows, there is always that one child that is a favourite. Even though they do not like to admit it, their relationship with that child goes beyond regular parenting: it often extends into friendship. Likewise, God doesn't just want you to be His child, He wants you to be so close to Him that He can consider you His friend.
Jesus loves His friends so dearly that He said that He was willing to lay down His life for them (John 15:13). Do you have a friend who can inject himself with a disease so that you will not be infected with it? This can be likened to what Jesus did in Matthew 8:17. Can any of your friends take a bullet for you? Jesus did more than this when He was beaten by Roman soldiers and hung on a cross. This means that Jesus is the best friend that anyone can ever have.
People often tell tales of friends that they used to have. While it is common for people to betray friendships because of selfish interests or terminate them because of disagreements, the friendship of Jesus Christ lasts forever. Whether you are going through a storm (Matthew 14:24-25), or you are caught in a fire (Daniel 3:22-25), He will never leave your side. Even when He knows that you can betray His friendship, He will remain your friend indeed (Luke 22:31-32). The Bible says in John 13:1 that He loves until the end.
What does it take to become a friend of God? Our memory verse for today tells us that we can become His friend by obeying His commandments. This goes beyond staying away from sin; it means that when He says, "Don't eat, I want you to fast today," you should do it. When you are tired, and all you want to do is sleep, if He says, let us discuss before you sleep" you should push the sleep aside and pray. When He says, "Give me your car," you should do it. Abraham was called a friend of God in 2 Chronicles 20:7 because, when God asked him to sacrifice his son in Genesis 22:1-3, he was ready to do it.
Beloved, when God instructs you to do anything, you should make the necessary sacrifices and obey Him promptly. Nothing in this world should be too big for you to sacrifice to God. This is the only way to become His friend. Are you ready to become God's friend?
KEY POINT:
Obeying God's commandments is the key to becoming His friend.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: ACTS 16-17
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 27: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS
1 What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!
2 Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
3 Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge--
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.
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