Devotional Time with God

I have friends.  Actually, I have a lot of acquaintances that I call “friends”.  I have a handful of who I truly call friends.  A friend is someone I can connect with.  A friend is someone I can trust.  A friend is someone who knows me (and I know him/her) very well.  A friend is someone I welcome in my house.

God is my friend.  He’s the one I’ve invited to my house.  He knows me very well.  I trust Him, and my family trusts him.  I’ve connected with Him in different levels.

If I meet someone who’s a friend of Jesus, I’ll instantly connect with him/her, too!  Does it mean I’ll invite him/her to my house?  Maybe not immediately, but we can work on that.  Having a mutual friend like Jesus is a solid foundation to start.

As a friend, I have to open up, not only my house, but also my heart to meet the needs of others.  Just as Jesus will do the same to me when he said in Matthew 7:8, “everyone who knows, the door will be open.”

I must welcome my friends.

u(perh/fanov (huperephanos)

1. showing one’s self above others, overtopping, conspicuous above others, pre-eminent
2. with an overweening estimate of one’s means or merits, despising others or even treating them with contempt, haughty

What I’ve noticed among the young people these days (20 something), is the amount of pride they have about themselves.  They haven’t done anything significant, yet they claim they’re on top of the world.  “Look what I’ve done!” they shouted.  They think they run this world.  They demand high salaries and want to work less hours.   They want recognition because they think they’re entitled to it.  They are young and beautiful, therefore they are the best.

The liberal media fans these “values” to them through their music, movies, and the internet.  They instilled ideas that doing whatever they want is the right way to do it.  The sad thing is, it’s also influencing the other generations, including the older ones.  Conform or be cast out.  Where have I heard that before?

Oh yeah… I’ve been there before.  I was young before.   I was a mean person before.  I claimed I was on top of this world before.

In fact, I wasn’t in control.  I wasn’t even on top of my own world!  I believed the lies of this world.  I had to be better than everyone else when in fact I wasn’t.  I tried to be, but failed miserably.

God showed me that I have to devote myself to Him.  The rest He’ll take care.  I don’t need to prove anything to anyone.  The only status I must  look for is being a friend of Jesus Christ.

For people will be… proud and arrogant…

2 Timothy 3:2

What can I do to remind myself to think about God and talk to Him more often throughout the day?

The Purpose Driven Life, p. 91

When I look back at my life, I am reminded how many people that I call my best friend. Surprisingly, in my mind, those people I called my best friends are no longer accurate. Sure, we can get together, once in a while, and talk about old times. But, best friends are more than that. A best friend is someone I can confide in. A best friend is the one I talk to first when I’m in trouble. A best friend is someone I can rely on with my well being, as well as my family’s. A best friend is always there with me, either from a phone call or e-mail away. On this earth, that person is my wife, Yantie.

However, there is another, and He is my creator. God wants me to be His best friend. He wants me to be in constant communication with Him. He wants to be in my presence, as much as I want Him to be. He knows my deepest darkest secrets and He gives my well being. He is not just some far away distant friend; He’s right here with me at all times.

Who am I that You are mindful of me
That You hear me when I call
Is it true that You are thinking of me
How You love me it’s amazing

I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend

God Almighty, Lord of Glory
You have called me friend

Israel Houghton, “Friend of God”
(Best rendition of the song is in Lakewood Church’s “Cover the Earth” CD)

This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV)