Saturday, April 12, 2014
Time With A Friend
Have you ever spent time with a friend and it turned into a memory that you think of and smile? It may have been in childhood or possibly just last week. If we stop and think about our life, it really is about memories of times spent doing something, and it is better to think of the good times. In fact these memories often get us through the tougher times. The memories with friends are like that. This morning that reminded me that we believers have a good Friend.
James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
As I studied these scriptures this morning I came to a better understanding of what was meant. James was talking about the importance of what we do with our faith. They are tied together.
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
James acknowledged that Abraham was counted righteous because he believed God when God told him he would have heirs more than the stars in heaven.
Genesis 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Friends know each others ways. They know how they will act. A true friend can be trusted. When Abraham acted on his faith, ready to offer up Issac, he became God’s Friend. That is a part of what life is about for us as believers. God wants us to know His ways and be His friend. We are saved by faith, but we are being trained to trust God like Abraham. God wants to be our Friend, too. And God is there helping us to make it, to cheer us on, at all times. He believes in us!
Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You as the Most High King. Please forgive us when we struggle to trust You and walk in Your ways. We ask today that You guide us. Please send today the strength we need to be Your people. Please send today Your healing, deliverance, and provision. Please show Yourself strong on our behalf today. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.