Becoming Best Friends with G.o.dSince we were restored to friendship with G.o.d by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by his life. Romans 5:10 (NLT) Romans 5:10 (NLT)G.o.d wants to be your best friend.

Your relationship to G.o.d has many different aspects: G.o.d is your Creator and Maker, Lord and Master, Judge, Redeemer, Father, Savior, and much more.' But the most shocking truth is this: Almighty G.o.d yearns to be your Friend!

In Eden we see G.o.d's ideal relationship with us: Adam and Eve enjoyed an intimate friendship with G.o.d. There were no rituals, ceremonies, or religion-just a simple loving relationship between G.o.d and the people he created. Unhindered by guilt or fear, Adam and Eve delighted in G.o.d, and he delighted in them.

We were made to live in G.o.d's continual presence, but after the Fall, that ideal relationship was lost. Only a few people in Old Testament times had the privilege of friendship with G.o.d. Moses and Abraham were called "friends of G.o.d," David was called "a man after [G.o.d's] own heart," and job, Enoch, and Noah had intimate friendships with G.o.d. But fear of G.o.d, not friendship,

was more common in the Old Testament.

Then Jesus changed the situation. When he paid for our sins on the cross, the veil in the temple that symbolized our separation from G.o.d was split from top to bottom, indicating that direct access to G.o.d was once again available.

Unlike the Old Testament priests who had to spend hours preparing to meet him, we can now approach G.o.d anytime. The Bible says, "Now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with G.o.d-all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of "Now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with G.o.d-all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of G.o.d."

Friendship with G.o.d is possible only because of the grace of G.o.d and the sacrifice of Jesus. "All this is done by G.o.d, who through Christ changed us from enemies into his friends." "All this is done by G.o.d, who through Christ changed us from enemies into his friends." The old hymn says, "What a friend we have in Jesus," but actually, G.o.d invites us to enjoy friendship and fellowship with all three persons of the Trinity: our Father,' the Son, The old hymn says, "What a friend we have in Jesus," but actually, G.o.d invites us to enjoy friendship and fellowship with all three persons of the Trinity: our Father,' the Son,6 and the Holy Spirit.' and the Holy Spirit.'

Jesus said, "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." "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." The word for The word for friend friend in this verse does not mean a casual acquaintance but a close, trusted relationship. The same word is used to refer to the best man at a wedding and a king's inner circle of intimate, trusted friends. In royal courts, servants must keep their distance from the king, but the inner circle of trusted friends enjoy close contact, direct access, and confidential information. in this verse does not mean a casual acquaintance but a close, trusted relationship. The same word is used to refer to the best man at a wedding and a king's inner circle of intimate, trusted friends. In royal courts, servants must keep their distance from the king, but the inner circle of trusted friends enjoy close contact, direct access, and confidential information.

That G.o.d would want me for a close friend is hard to understand, but the Bible says, "He is a G.o.d who is pa.s.sionate about his relationship with you.' "He is a G.o.d who is pa.s.sionate about his relationship with you.'

G.o.d deeply desires that we know him intimately. In fact, he planned the universe and orchestrated history, including the details of our lives, so that we could become his friends. The Bible says, "He made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and s.p.a.ce for living so we could seek after G.o.d, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find find him." him."

Knowing and loving G.o.d is our greatest privilege, and being known and loved is G.o.d's greatest pleasure. G.o.d says, "If any want to boast, they should boast that they know and understand me.... These are the things that please me." "If any want to boast, they should boast that they know and understand me.... These are the things that please me."

It's difficult to imagine how an intimate friendship is possible between an omnipotent, invisible, perfect G.o.d and a finite, sinful human being. It's easier to understand a Master-servant relationship or a Creator-creation relationship or even Father-child. But what does it mean when G.o.d wants me as a friend? By looking at the lives of G.o.d's friends in the Bible, we learn six secrets of friendship with G.o.d. We will look at two secrets in this chapter and four more in the next.

BECOMING A BEST FRIEND OF G.o.d.

Through constant conversation. You will never grow a close relationship with G.o.d by just attending church once a week or even having a daily quiet time. Friendship with G.o.d is built by sharing You will never grow a close relationship with G.o.d by just attending church once a week or even having a daily quiet time. Friendship with G.o.d is built by sharing all all your life experiences with him. your life experiences with him.

Of course, it is important to establish the habit of a daily devotional time with G.o.d, but he wants more than an appointment in your schedule. He wants to be included in every every activity, every conversation, every problem, and even every thought. You can carry on a continuous, open-ended conversation with him throughout your day, talking with him about whatever you are doing or thinking activity, every conversation, every problem, and even every thought. You can carry on a continuous, open-ended conversation with him throughout your day, talking with him about whatever you are doing or thinking at that moment. at that moment. "Praying without ceasing" means conversing with G.o.d while shopping, driving, working, or performing any other everyday tasks. "Praying without ceasing" means conversing with G.o.d while shopping, driving, working, or performing any other everyday tasks.

Knowing and loving G.o.d is our greatest privilege, and being known and loved is G.o.d's greatest pleasure.

A common misconception is that "spending time with G.o.d" means being alone alone with him. Of course, as Jesus modeled, you need time alone with G.o.d, but that is only a fraction of your waking hours. with him. Of course, as Jesus modeled, you need time alone with G.o.d, but that is only a fraction of your waking hours. Everything Everything you do can be "spending time with G.o.d" if he is invited to be a part of it and you stay aware of his presence. you do can be "spending time with G.o.d" if he is invited to be a part of it and you stay aware of his presence.

The cla.s.sic book on learning how to develop a constant conversation with G.o.d is Practicing the Presence of G.o.d. is Practicing the Presence of G.o.d. It was written in the seventeenth century by Brother Lawrence, a humble cook in a French monastery. Brother Lawrence was able to turn even the most commonplace and menial tasks, like preparing meals and washing dishes, into acts of praise and communion with G.o.d. The key to friendship with G.o.d, he said, is not changing what you do, but changing It was written in the seventeenth century by Brother Lawrence, a humble cook in a French monastery. Brother Lawrence was able to turn even the most commonplace and menial tasks, like preparing meals and washing dishes, into acts of praise and communion with G.o.d. The key to friendship with G.o.d, he said, is not changing what you do, but changing your att.i.tude your att.i.tude toward what you do. What you normally do for yourself you begin doing for G.o.d, whether it is eating, bathing, working, relaxing, or taking out the trash. toward what you do. What you normally do for yourself you begin doing for G.o.d, whether it is eating, bathing, working, relaxing, or taking out the trash.

Today we often feel we must "get away" from our daily routine in order to worship G.o.d, but that is only because we haven't learned to practice his presence all the time. Brother Lawrence found it easy to worship G.o.d through the common tasks of life; he didn't have to go away for special spiritual retreats.

This is G.o.d's ideal. In Eden, worship was not an event to attend, but a perpetual att.i.tude; Adam and Eve were in constant communion with G.o.d. Because G.o.d is with you all the time, no place is any closer to G.o.d than the place where you are right now. The Bible says, "He rules everything and is everywhere and is in everything." "He rules everything and is everywhere and is in everything."

Another of Brother Lawrence's helpful ideas was to pray shorter conversational prayers continually continually through the day rather than trying to pray long sessions of complex prayers. To maintain focus and counteract wandering thoughts, he said, "I do not advise you to use a great multiplicity of words in prayer, since long discourses are often the occasions for wandering." In an age of attention deficit, this 450-year-old suggestion to keep it simple seems to be particularly relevant. through the day rather than trying to pray long sessions of complex prayers. To maintain focus and counteract wandering thoughts, he said, "I do not advise you to use a great multiplicity of words in prayer, since long discourses are often the occasions for wandering." In an age of attention deficit, this 450-year-old suggestion to keep it simple seems to be particularly relevant.

The Bible tells us to pray all the time." pray all the time." How is it possible to do this? One way is to use "breath prayers" throughout the day, as many Christians have done for centuries. You choose a brief sentence or a simple phrase that can be repeated to Jesus in one breath: "You are with me." "I receive your grace." "I'm depending on you." "I want to know you." "I belong to you." "Help me trust you." You can also use a short phrase of Scripture: "For me to live is Christ." "You will never leave me." "You are my G.o.d." Pray it as often as possible so it is rooted deep in your heart. Just be sure that your motive is to honor G.o.d, not control him. How is it possible to do this? One way is to use "breath prayers" throughout the day, as many Christians have done for centuries. You choose a brief sentence or a simple phrase that can be repeated to Jesus in one breath: "You are with me." "I receive your grace." "I'm depending on you." "I want to know you." "I belong to you." "Help me trust you." You can also use a short phrase of Scripture: "For me to live is Christ." "You will never leave me." "You are my G.o.d." Pray it as often as possible so it is rooted deep in your heart. Just be sure that your motive is to honor G.o.d, not control him.

Practicing the presence of G.o.d is a skill, a habit you can develop. Just as musicians practice scales every day in order to play beautiful music with ease, you must force yourself to think about G.o.d at different times in your day. You must train your mind to remember G.o.d.

At first you will need to create reminders to regularly bring your thoughts back to the awareness that G.o.d is with you in that moment. Begin by placing visual reminders around you. You might post little notes that say, "G.o.dis with me and for me right "G.o.dis with me and for me right now!" Benedictine monks use the hourly chimes of a clock to remind them to pause and pray "the hour prayer." If you have a watch or cell phone with an alarm, you could do the same. Sometimes you will sense G.o.d's presence; other times you won't. now!" Benedictine monks use the hourly chimes of a clock to remind them to pause and pray "the hour prayer." If you have a watch or cell phone with an alarm, you could do the same. Sometimes you will sense G.o.d's presence; other times you won't.

If you are seeking an experience experience of his presence through all of this, you have missed the point. We don't praise G.o.d to feel good, but to of his presence through all of this, you have missed the point. We don't praise G.o.d to feel good, but to do do good. Your goal is not a feeling, but a continual awareness of the good. Your goal is not a feeling, but a continual awareness of the reality reality that G.o.d is always present. That is the lifestyle of worship. that G.o.d is always present. That is the lifestyle of worship.

Everything you do can be "spending time with G.o.d" if he is invited to be apart of it and you stay aware of his presence.

Through continual meditation. A second way to establish a friendship with G.o.d is by thinking about his Word throughout your day. This is called meditation, and the Bible repeatedly urges us to meditate on who G.o.d is, what he has done, and what he has said." A second way to establish a friendship with G.o.d is by thinking about his Word throughout your day. This is called meditation, and the Bible repeatedly urges us to meditate on who G.o.d is, what he has done, and what he has said."

It is impossible to be G.o.d's friend apart from knowing what he says. You knowing what he says. You can't love G.o.d unless you know him, and you can't know him without knowing his Word. The Bible says G.o.d can't love G.o.d unless you know him, and you can't know him without knowing his Word. The Bible says G.o.d "revealed himself to Samuel through his word." "revealed himself to Samuel through his word." G.o.d still uses that method today. G.o.d still uses that method today.

While you cannot spend all day studying the Bible, you can think think about it throughout the day, recalling verses you have read or memorized and mulling them over in your mind. about it throughout the day, recalling verses you have read or memorized and mulling them over in your mind.

Meditation is often misunderstood as some difficult, mysterious ritual practiced by isolated monks and mystics. But meditation is simply focused thinking-a skill anyone can learn and use anywhere.

When you think about a problem over and over in your mind, that's called worry. When you think about G.o.d's Word over and over in your mind, that's meditation. If you know how to worry, you already know how to meditate! You just need to switch your attention from your problems to Bible verses. The more you meditate on G.o.d's Word, the less you will have to worry about.

The reason G.o.d considered Job and David his close friends was that they valued his Word above everything else, and they thought about it continually throughout the day. Job admitted, "I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.' "I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.' 2 2 David said, David said, "Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long." "They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about them. " "Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long." "They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about them. "

Friends share secrets, and G.o.d will share his secrets with you if you develop the habit of thinking about his Word throughout the day. G.o.d told Abraham his secrets, and he did the same with Daniel, Paul, the disciples, and other friends.

When you read your Bible or hear a sermon or listen to a tape, don't just forget it and walk away. Develop the practice of reviewing the truth in your mind, thinking about it over and over. The more time you spend reviewing what G.o.d has said, the more you will understand the "secrets" of this life that most people miss. The Bible says, "Friendship with G.o.d is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises." "Friendship with G.o.d is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises."

In the next chapter we will see four more secrets of cultivating a friendship with G.o.d, but don't wait until tomorrow. Start today by practicing constant conversation with G.o.d and continual meditation on his Word. Prayer lets you speak to G.o.d; meditation lets G.o.d speak to you. Both are essential to becoming a friend of G.o.d.

DAY ELEVEN THINKING ABOUT MY PURPOSEPoint to Ponder: G.o.d wants to be my best friend. G.o.d wants to be my best friend.Verse to Remember: "Friendship with G.o.d is reserved for those who reverence him." "Friendship with G.o.d is reserved for those who reverence him." Psalm 25:14a (LB) Psalm 25:14a (LB)Question to Consider: What can I do to remind myself to think about G.o.d and talk to him more often throughout the day? What can I do to remind myself to think about G.o.d and talk to him more often throughout the day?

Developing Your Friendship with G.o.dHe offers his friendship to the G.o.dly. Proverbs 3:32 Proverbs 3:32 (NLT) (NLT)Draw close to G.o.d, and G.o.d will draw close to you. James 4:8 James 4:8 (NLT) (NLT) You are as close to G.o.d as you choose to be.

Like any friendship, you must work at developing your friendship with G.o.d. It won't happen by accident. It takes desire, time, and energy. If you want a deeper, more intimate connection with G.o.d you must learn to honestly share your feelings with him, trust him when he asks you to do something, learn to care about what he cares about, and desire his friendship more than anything else.

I must choose to be honest with G.o.d. The first building block of a deeper friendship with G.o.d is complete honesty-about your faults and your feelings. G.o.d doesn't expect you to be perfect, but he does insist on complete honesty. None of G.o.d's friends in the Bible were perfect. If perfection was a requirement for friendship with G.o.d, we would never be able to be his friends. Fortunately, because of G.o.d's grace, Jesus is still the The first building block of a deeper friendship with G.o.d is complete honesty-about your faults and your feelings. G.o.d doesn't expect you to be perfect, but he does insist on complete honesty. None of G.o.d's friends in the Bible were perfect. If perfection was a requirement for friendship with G.o.d, we would never be able to be his friends. Fortunately, because of G.o.d's grace, Jesus is still the ^friend of sinners."' ^friend of sinners."'

In the Bible, the friends of G.o.d were honest about their feelings, often complaining, second-guessing, accusing, and arguing with their Creator. G.o.d, however, didn't seem to be bothered by this frankness; in fact, he encouraged it.

G.o.d allowed Abraham to question and challenge him over the destruction of the city of Sodom. Abraham pestered G.o.d over what it would take to spare the city, negotiating G.o.d down from fifty righteous people to only ten.

G.o.d also listened patiently to David's many accusations of unfairness, betrayal, and abandonment. G.o.d did not slay Jeremiah when he claimed that G.o.d had tricked him. Job was allowed to vent his bitterness during his ordeal, and in the end, G.o.d defended Job for being honest, and he rebuked Job's friends for being inauthentic. G.o.d told them, "You haven't been honest either with me or about me-not the way my friend Job has.... My friend Job will now pray for you and I will accept his prayer." "You haven't been honest either with me or about me-not the way my friend Job has.... My friend Job will now pray for you and I will accept his prayer."

In one startling example of frank friendship, G.o.d honestly expressed his total disgust with Israel's disobedience. He told Moses he would keep his promise to give the Israelites the Promised Land, but but he wasn't going one step farther with them in the desert! G.o.d was fed up, and he let Moses know exactly how he felt. he wasn't going one step farther with them in the desert! G.o.d was fed up, and he let Moses know exactly how he felt.

Moses, speaking as a "friend" of G.o.d, responded with equal candor: "Look, you tell me to lead "Look, you tell me to lead this people but you don't let me know whom you're going to send with me........ If I'm so special to you, let me in on your plans.... Don't forget, this is YOUR people, your responsibility.... If your presence doesn't take the lead here, call this trip off right now! How else will I know that you're with me in me in this, with me and your people? Are you traveling with us or not?...' G.o.d said to Moses, 'All right. Just as you say; this also I will do, for I know you well and you are special to me." this, with me and your people? Are you traveling with us or not?...' G.o.d said to Moses, 'All right. Just as you say; this also I will do, for I know you well and you are special to me."

G.o.d doesn't expect you to be perfect, but he does insist on complete honesty.Bitterness is the greatest barrier to friendship with G.o.d.

Can G.o.d handle that kind of frank, intense honesty from you? Absolutely! Genuine friendship is built on disclosure. What may appear as audacity audacity G.o.d views as G.o.d views as authenticity. authenticity. G.o.d listens to the pa.s.sionate words of his friends; he is bored with predictable, pious cliches. To be G.o.d's friend, you must be honest to G.o.d, sharing your true feeling, not what you think you ought to feel or say. G.o.d listens to the pa.s.sionate words of his friends; he is bored with predictable, pious cliches. To be G.o.d's friend, you must be honest to G.o.d, sharing your true feeling, not what you think you ought to feel or say.

It is likely that you need to confess some hidden anger and resentment at G.o.d for certain areas of your life where you have felt cheated or disappointed. Until we mature enough to understand that G.o.d uses everything everything for good in our lives, we harbor resentment toward G.o.d over our appearance, background, unanswered prayers, past hurts, and other things we would change if we were G.o.d. People often blame G.o.d for hurts caused by others. This creates what William Backus calls "your hidden rift with G.o.d." for good in our lives, we harbor resentment toward G.o.d over our appearance, background, unanswered prayers, past hurts, and other things we would change if we were G.o.d. People often blame G.o.d for hurts caused by others. This creates what William Backus calls "your hidden rift with G.o.d."

Bitterness is the greatest barrier to friendship with G.o.d: Why would I want to be G.o.d's friend if he allowed this? this? The antidote, of course, is to realize that G.o.d The antidote, of course, is to realize that G.o.d always always acts in your best interest, even when it is painful and you don't understand it. But releasing your resentment and revealing your feeling is the first step to healing. As so many people in the Bible did, tell G.o.d exactly how you feel. acts in your best interest, even when it is painful and you don't understand it. But releasing your resentment and revealing your feeling is the first step to healing. As so many people in the Bible did, tell G.o.d exactly how you feel.

To instruct us in candid honesty, G.o.d gave us the book of Psalms-a worship manual, full of ranting, raving, doubts, fears, resentments, and deep pa.s.sions combined with thanksgiving, praise, and statements of faith. Every possible emotion is catalogued in the Psalms. When you read the emotional confessions of David and others, realize this is how G.o.d wants you you to worship him-holding back nothing of what you feel. You can pray like David: to worship him-holding back nothing of what you feel. You can pray like David: "I pour out m "I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles. For I am overwhelmed." complaints before him and tell him all my troubles. For I am overwhelmed."

It's encouraging to know that all of G.o.d's closest friends Moses, David, Abraham, Job, and others-had bouts with doubt.

But instead of masking their misgivings with pious cliches, they candidly voiced them openly and publicly. Expressing doubt is sometimes the first step toward the next level of intimacy with G.o.d.

I must choose to obey G.o.d in faith. Every time you trust G.o.d's wisdom and do whatever he says, even when you don't understand it, you deepen your friendship with G.o.d. We don't normally think of obedience as a characteristic of friendship; that's reserved for relationships with a parent or the boss or a superior officer, not a friend. However, Jesus made it clear that obedience is a condition of intimacy with G.o.d. He said, Every time you trust G.o.d's wisdom and do whatever he says, even when you don't understand it, you deepen your friendship with G.o.d. We don't normally think of obedience as a characteristic of friendship; that's reserved for relationships with a parent or the boss or a superior officer, not a friend. However, Jesus made it clear that obedience is a condition of intimacy with G.o.d. He said, "You are my friends if you do what I command." "You are my friends if you do what I command."

In the last chapter I pointed out that the word Jesus used when he called us "friends" could refer to the "friends of the king" in a royal court. While these close companions had special privileges, they were still subject to the king and had to obey his commands. We are friends with G.o.d, but we are not his equals. He is our loving leader, and we follow him.

We obey G.o.d, not out of duty or fear or compulsion, but because we love love him and trust that he knows what is best for us. We him and trust that he knows what is best for us. We want want to follow Christ out of grat.i.tude for all he has done for us, and the closer we follow him, the deeper our friendship becomes. to follow Christ out of grat.i.tude for all he has done for us, and the closer we follow him, the deeper our friendship becomes.

Unbelievers often think Christians obey out of obligation or guilt or fear of punishment, but the opposite is true. Because we have been forgiven and set free, we obey out of love-and our obedience brings great joy! Jesus said, "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!" "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!"

Notice that Jesus expects us to do only what he did with the Father. His relationship with his Father is the model for our friendship with him. Jesus did whatever the Father asked him to do-out of love.

True friendship isn't pa.s.sive; it acts. When Jesus asks us to love others, help the needy, share our resources, keep our lives clean, offer forgiveness, and bring others to him, love motivates us to obey immediately.

We are often challenged to do ^great things" ^great things" for G.o.d. Actually, G.o.d is more pleased when we do small things for him out of loving obedience. They may be unnoticed by others, but G.o.d notices them and considers them acts of worship. for G.o.d. Actually, G.o.d is more pleased when we do small things for him out of loving obedience. They may be unnoticed by others, but G.o.d notices them and considers them acts of worship.

Great opportunities may come once in a lifetime, but small opportunities surround us every day. Even through such simple acts as telling the truth, being kind, and encouraging others, we bring a smile to G.o.d's face. G.o.d treasures simple acts of obedience more than our prayers, praise, or offerings. The Bible tells us, "What pleases the LORD more: burnt offerings and sacrifices or obedience to his voice? It is better to obey than to sacrifice." "What pleases the LORD more: burnt offerings and sacrifices or obedience to his voice? It is better to obey than to sacrifice."

Jesus began his public ministry at age thirty by being baptized by John. At that event G.o.d spoke from heaven: "This is my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with him." "This is my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with him." What had Jesus been doing for thirty years that gave G.o.d so much pleasure? The Bible says nothing about those hidden years except for a single phrase in Luke 2:51: What had Jesus been doing for thirty years that gave G.o.d so much pleasure? The Bible says nothing about those hidden years except for a single phrase in Luke 2:51: "He went back to Nazareth with them, and lived obediently with them" "He went back to Nazareth with them, and lived obediently with them" (Msg). Thirty years of pleasing G.o.d were summed up in two words: (Msg). Thirty years of pleasing G.o.d were summed up in two words: "lived obediently"! "lived obediently"!

I must choose to value what G.o.d values. This is what friends do-they care about what is important to the other person. The more you become G.o.d's friend, the more you will care about the things he cares about, grieve over the things he grieves over, and rejoice over the things that bring pleasure to him. This is what friends do-they care about what is important to the other person. The more you become G.o.d's friend, the more you will care about the things he cares about, grieve over the things he grieves over, and rejoice over the things that bring pleasure to him.

Paul is the best example of this. G.o.d's agenda was his agenda, and G.o.d's pa.s.sion was his: "The thing that has me so upset is that I care about you so much-this is the pa.s.sion of G.o.d burning inside me!" "The thing that has me so upset is that I care about you so much-this is the pa.s.sion of G.o.d burning inside me!" David felt the same way: David felt the same way: "Pa.s.sion for your house burns within me, so those who insult you are also insulting me. "Pa.s.sion for your house burns within me, so those who insult you are also insulting me.

What does G.o.d care about most? The redemption of his people. He wants all his lost children found! That's the whole reason Jesus came to earth. The dearest thing to the heart of G.o.d is the death of his Son. The second dearest thing is when his children share that news with others. To be a friend of G.o.d, you must care about all the people around you whom G.o.d cares about. Friends of G.o.d tell their friends about G.o.d.

I must desire friendship with G.o.d more than anything else. The Psalms are filled with examples of this desire. David pa.s.sionately desired to know G.o.d above all else; he used words like The Psalms are filled with examples of this desire. David pa.s.sionately desired to know G.o.d above all else; he used words like longing, yearning, thirsting, hungering. longing, yearning, thirsting, hungering. He craved G.o.d. He said, He craved G.o.d. He said, "The thing I seek most of all is the privilege of meditating in his Temple, living in his presence every day of my life, delighting in his incomparable perfection and glory." "The thing I seek most of all is the privilege of meditating in his Temple, living in his presence every day of my life, delighting in his incomparable perfection and glory."13In another psalm he said, "Your love means more than life to me.' "Your love means more than life to me.'

Jacob's pa.s.sion for G.o.d's blessing on his life was so intense that he wrestled in the dirt all night with G.o.d, saying, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."" "I will not let you go unless you bless me."" The amazing part of that story is that G.o.d, who is all powerful, let Jacob win! G.o.d isn't offended when we "wrestle" with him, because wrestling requires personal contact and brings us close to him! It is also a pa.s.sionate activity, and G.o.d loves it when we are pa.s.sionate with him. The amazing part of that story is that G.o.d, who is all powerful, let Jacob win! G.o.d isn't offended when we "wrestle" with him, because wrestling requires personal contact and brings us close to him! It is also a pa.s.sionate activity, and G.o.d loves it when we are pa.s.sionate with him.

Paul was another man pa.s.sionate for friendship with G.o.d. Nothing mattered more; it was the first priority, total focus, and Ultimate goal of his life. This is the reason G.o.d used Paul in such a great way. The Amplified translation expresses the full force of Paul's pa.s.sion: "My determined purpose is that I may know Him-that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly." "My determined purpose is that I may know Him-that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly."

The more you become G.o.d's friend, the more you will care about the things he cares about.

The truth is-you are as close to G.o.d as you choose to be. as you choose to be. Intimate friendship with G.o.d is a choice, not an accident. You must intentionally seek it. Do you really want it-more than anything? What is it worth to you? Is it worth giving up other things? Is it worth the effort of developing the habits and skills required? Intimate friendship with G.o.d is a choice, not an accident. You must intentionally seek it. Do you really want it-more than anything? What is it worth to you? Is it worth giving up other things? Is it worth the effort of developing the habits and skills required?

You may have been pa.s.sionate about G.o.d in the past but you've lost that desire. That was the problem of the Christians in Ephesus-they had left their first love. They did all the right things, but out of duty, not love. If you've just been going through the motions spiritually, don't be surprised when G.o.d allows pain in your life.

Pain is the fuel of pa.s.sion-it energizes us with an intensity to change that we don't normally possess. C. S. Lewis said, "Pain is G.o.d's megaphone." It is G.o.d's way of arousing us from spiritual lethargy. Your problems are not punishment; they are wake-up calls from a loving G.o.d. G.o.d is not mad at you; he's mad about about you, and he will do whatever it takes to bring you back into fellowship with him. But there is an easier way to reignite your pa.s.sion for G.o.d: Start asking G.o.d to give it to you, and keep on asking until you have it. Pray this throughout your day: you, and he will do whatever it takes to bring you back into fellowship with him. But there is an easier way to reignite your pa.s.sion for G.o.d: Start asking G.o.d to give it to you, and keep on asking until you have it. Pray this throughout your day: "Dear Jesus, more than anything else, I want to get to know you intimately." G.o.d told the captives in Babylon, "When you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." "When you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed."

YOUR MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP.

There is nothing-absolutely nothing-more important than developing a friendship with G.o.d. It's a relationship that will last forever. Paul told Timothy, "Some of these people have missed the most important thing in life-they don't know G.o.d.' "Some of these people have missed the most important thing in life-they don't know G.o.d.' Have you been missing out on the most important thing in life? You can do something about it starting now. Remember, it's your choice. You are as close to G.o.d as you choose to be. Have you been missing out on the most important thing in life? You can do something about it starting now. Remember, it's your choice. You are as close to G.o.d as you choose to be.

DAY TWELVE.

THINKING ABOUT MY PURPOSE Point to Ponder: I'm as close to G.o.d as I choose to be. I'm as close to G.o.d as I choose to be.

Verse to Remember: "Draw close to G.o.d, and G.o.d will draw close to you." "Draw close to G.o.d, and G.o.d will draw close to you." James 4:8 a (NLT) James 4:8 a (NLT) Question to Consider: What practical choices will I make today in order to grow closer to G.o.d? What practical choices will I make today in order to grow closer to G.o.d?

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Worship That Pleases G.o.d Love the Lord your G.o.d with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark Mark 12:30 (NIV) 12:30 (NIV)G.o.d wants all of you.

G.o.d doesn't want a part of your life. He asks for all all your heart, your heart, all all your soul, your soul, all all your mind, and your mind, and all all your strength. G.o.d is not interested in halfhearted commitment, partial obedience, and the leftovers of your time and money. He desires your full devotion, not little bits of your life. your strength. G.o.d is not interested in halfhearted commitment, partial obedience, and the leftovers of your time and money. He desires your full devotion, not little bits of your life.

A Samaritan woman once tried to debate Jesus on the best time, place, and style for worship. Jesus replied that these external issues are irrelevant. Where you worship is not as important as why you why you worship and worship and how much how much of yourself you offer to G.o.d when you worship. There is a right and wrong way to worship. The Bible says, of yourself you offer to G.o.d when you worship. There is a right and wrong way to worship. The Bible says, "Let us be grateful and worship G.o.d in a way that will please him." "Let us be grateful and worship G.o.d in a way that will please him." The kind of worship that pleases G.o.d has four characteristics: The kind of worship that pleases G.o.d has four characteristics: G.o.d is pleased when our worship is accurate. People often say, "I like to think of G.o.d as . . . ," and then they share their idea of the kind of G.o.d they would like to worship. But we cannot just create our own comfortable or politically correct image of G.o.d and worship it. That is idolatry. People often say, "I like to think of G.o.d as . . . ," and then they share their idea of the kind of G.o.d they would like to worship. But we cannot just create our own comfortable or politically correct image of G.o.d and worship it. That is idolatry.

Worship must be based on the truth of Scripture, not our opinions about G.o.d. Jesus told the

Samaritan woman, "True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.' "True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.'

To "worship in truth" means to worship G.o.d as he is truly revealed in the Bible.

G.o.d is pleased when our worship is authentic. When Jesus said you must When Jesus said you must "worship in spirit," "worship in spirit," he wasn't referring to the Holy Spirit, but to he wasn't referring to the Holy Spirit, but to your your spirit. Made in G.o.d's image, you are a spirit that resides in a body, and G.o.d designed your spirit to communicate with him. Worship is your spirit responding to G.o.d's Spirit. spirit. Made in G.o.d's image, you are a spirit that resides in a body, and G.o.d designed your spirit to communicate with him. Worship is your spirit responding to G.o.d's Spirit.

When Jesus said, "Love G.o.d with all your heart and soul" "Love G.o.d with all your heart and soul" he meant that worship must be genuine and heartfelt. It is not just a matter of saying the right words; you must mean what you say. Heartless praise is not praise at all! It is worthless, an insult to G.o.d. he meant that worship must be genuine and heartfelt. It is not just a matter of saying the right words; you must mean what you say. Heartless praise is not praise at all! It is worthless, an insult to G.o.d.

When we worship, G.o.d looks past our words to see the att.i.tude of our hearts. The Bible says, "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Since worship involves delighting in G.o.d, it engages your emotions. G.o.d gave you emotions so you could worship him with deep feeling-but those emotions must be genuine, not faked. G.o.d hates hypocrisy. He doesn't want showmanship or pretense or phoniness in worship. He wants your honest, real love. We can worship G.o.d imperfectly, but we cannot worship him insincerely. insincerely.

G.o.d pleasing worship is deeply emotional and deeply doctrinal. We use both our hearts and our heads.