A few days ago someone greeted me oddly. They said, "Hello Servant of God!" I had never been greeted in such a manner, and it has stuck in my mind. I can't decide what I feel about it.
Yesterday, I heard a message about Abram, who was God's friend. (Isa 41:8 and James 2:23.
This morning a Scripture popped into my mind, "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:15)
Think about this. What does it feel like to be an employee vs one of the owner's buddies? Wow! Employees are on a time clock, they work, are compensated, and go home..the owner generally has very little interest in their personal lives outside of work. At work the owner's buddies can chit-chat with him and have no concern about it. They are the ones who we see leaving for lunch with him, hear about having dinner with him at his home, and who's kids play with his kids. Servant is okay, but friend is a whole other better.
Who do you want to be? Are you content to be a servant of God's? I was. Today, I don't think so anymore. I want to be God's friend. It puts a whole new light on my time with Him, on my view of myself, and on the attitude of my heart when it comes to him. But how does it happen? How do we become God's friends, not just servants?
The Scripture says, "You are my friends, if you do what I command you." Yet, I think we all know that mere checking off on a 'to do list' is not friendship..it's a servant's list. So, what is the difference? I think the difference with God is like the difference with your boss--it is in the after-hours. When I have done all I'm 'required' to do for God....do I go find Him or do I jet off to do my own things? Is it TV or meditation that I choose when relaxing? Do I drive and plug in music, listen to talk radio, chat on the phone or do I converse with God? When I wake in the mornings am I dialoguing with God or sleeping in so long that I can't get a minute with Him?
This week, take some special outings with God...after hours. Spend a lunch with Him (take your Bible or just talk with him over your meal.). Take a walk Saturday morning and notice His handiwork...then tell Him what you think about it....listen to what He says in reply (He will speak to you, if you listen.). Chat with him at work, listen to Him on the drive, be with Him in active service around others. Bottom line is that when we start acting with God like you would a friend and He responds in like kind. (With the measure you use, it will be measured to you.)
Yesterday, I heard a message about Abram, who was God's friend. (Isa 41:8 and James 2:23.
This morning a Scripture popped into my mind, "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:15)
Think about this. What does it feel like to be an employee vs one of the owner's buddies? Wow! Employees are on a time clock, they work, are compensated, and go home..the owner generally has very little interest in their personal lives outside of work. At work the owner's buddies can chit-chat with him and have no concern about it. They are the ones who we see leaving for lunch with him, hear about having dinner with him at his home, and who's kids play with his kids. Servant is okay, but friend is a whole other better.
Who do you want to be? Are you content to be a servant of God's? I was. Today, I don't think so anymore. I want to be God's friend. It puts a whole new light on my time with Him, on my view of myself, and on the attitude of my heart when it comes to him. But how does it happen? How do we become God's friends, not just servants?
The Scripture says, "You are my friends, if you do what I command you." Yet, I think we all know that mere checking off on a 'to do list' is not friendship..it's a servant's list. So, what is the difference? I think the difference with God is like the difference with your boss--it is in the after-hours. When I have done all I'm 'required' to do for God....do I go find Him or do I jet off to do my own things? Is it TV or meditation that I choose when relaxing? Do I drive and plug in music, listen to talk radio, chat on the phone or do I converse with God? When I wake in the mornings am I dialoguing with God or sleeping in so long that I can't get a minute with Him?
This week, take some special outings with God...after hours. Spend a lunch with Him (take your Bible or just talk with him over your meal.). Take a walk Saturday morning and notice His handiwork...then tell Him what you think about it....listen to what He says in reply (He will speak to you, if you listen.). Chat with him at work, listen to Him on the drive, be with Him in active service around others. Bottom line is that when we start acting with God like you would a friend and He responds in like kind. (With the measure you use, it will be measured to you.)