Do you remember your childhood friend or friends? When we take the time to recall old friends it sparks memories of good times and milestones we could not have accomplished on our own. Friends go through the good times as well as the "not so good" times, together. I'm talking about the times in life that we could not possibly have made it through, without our best friend.

Do you remember saying we will be friends... forever?

Friends can bring out the best in us by encouraging us to accomplish more than we can alone. Sometimes our childhood friends remain our friends, which is so special. I have a friend from childhood and I value our relationship.

Sometimes we don't see the whole picture at the time, but God will use friendships to speak into our lives, especially if we are not interested in hearing His voice. My friend was a witness to me when I was rebelling and running from the Lord. It is God's desire to be our friend, even at times when "we aren't talking". Why do we do this to our friends? Why do we do this to God?

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and bring you home again to your own land.” Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NLT)

I know that there have been times in my life I purposely did not seek God. I was "going to do it myself". Doesn't that sound like a typical two year old? I have since realized that was not very wise.

14 Friendship with the Lord is reserved for those who fear ( revere, worship) Him. With them he shares the secrets of His covenant. Psalm 25:14 (NLT). I want to know the secrets of His covenants!

2 Chronicles 20:7 reads; "7 O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham"? (NLT) Abraham was a friend of God.

Proverbs 3:32 Also refers to friendship with God; "He offers His friendship to the godly.”

In Matthew 11:19, Jesus was accused of being “a friend of the worst sort of sinners…”

In Matthew 26:50, Jesus said… “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.”

Sounds like it doesn’t matter who you are or what you have done; He wants to be our friend.

To know God or know things about God is not enough. My bible defines it like this; know [nô] 1. hold information in the mind: to have information firmly in the mind or committed to memory. I know lots of people, but I would not call them my friends.

God’s word is very clear in James 4:4, God takes friendship very seriously. "4 You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with this world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy this world, you can’t be a friend of God." (NLT)

God knew us when we where first conceived, when we were growing up, and at this very moment He sees you reading this message. His message has not changed, nor will it ever change.

Psalm 139:1-6 1 O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away. 3 You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. 4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. 5 You both precede and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know!

Psalm 139:13-16 13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvellous—and how well I know it. 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. (NLT)

Some time ago, God spoke to me, like old friends talking about times past. Suddenly it was like we were reminiscing, my spirit and the Lord. My mind was aware of the conversation, but I was answering deeper within myself.

“Remember when you were little and you played hide and seek?” He asked. "Yes", I said in my spirit. “Remember what the person did that was waiting for everyone else to hide?” "Yes", I said, "that person stayed at home base and counted until everyone was ready to be found". “Do you remember what the person said before they went out looking?” Yes", I said. "Ready or not hear I come."  Then He dropped this statement in my spirit - “I have been counting for over 2000 yrs, 2004, 2005, 2006...” Then He said… “READY OR NOT HERE I COME!”

I had an expectation in my spirit that we are living in the end times, but after this conversation I'm looking up "for my redemption draws near". I have a renewed sense of urgency in the harvest of souls and preparing for the return of Jesus.

Sometimes we say things like, “I don’t think God loves me, especially the way I grew up or "acted" or "after what I said". "When I clean myself up - then I will seek God". Or "I’m hurting so much inside, I want Him to feel the pain".

These are excuses not to fellowship, but God knows our heart. He knows when we are "hiding". God will not force us to have a relationship with Him. In Revelation 3:20 we see His gentle call to friendship with us. "²⁰ “Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends." (NLT)

I’m reminded of that old song…”Lean on Me.”  Now more than ever before, "We all need a friend to lean on.", we need God. Hopefully you have never or will ever say things like this - “God I love you, don’t let the cops find me". “God help me! I missed it. I’ll never do it again - just help me, one more time”. Most of us have said or thought at times, “I’m doing fine. I don’t need God in my life". That’s pride, because we all need God for every breath we take.

Psalm 50:13-15 "13 I don’t need the bulls you sacrifice; I don’t need the blood of goats." What’s that saying? "I don‘t want your religion. I want your friendship. If we go to church because we know we have to - or its the right thing to do, that's not relationship.

14 What I want instead is your true thanks to God; I want you to fulfil your vows to the Most High" …those requests and promises you made in secret to Him - He remembers even we don’t.

15 Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” (NLT)

He wants us to live a life that brings Him Glory. When we bring Him glory it’s because He has worked through us to bring blessing to those around us - we are blessed in the process.

Have we ever used our friends to get something we want? Some people try to use God this way. When we memorize scripture that says God will give us all we want, but we forget about Him in the process, it is wrong.   It’s just as wrong to love God for what He can do for us, as it is for us to withhold our love from Him - both are selfish, controlling motives.

How do we become a friend of God?

As we seek Him with all our heart and spend time with Him by reading His word - we will develop the friendship He desires with us. Rena Mae & I have made the choice to follow God in all He has called us to do. We have stepped out in faith as Abraham did in obedience to God, trusting in His word - written and spoken.

In James 2:21-24 we read "21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was declared right with God because of what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, he was trusting God so much that he was willing to do whatever God told him to do. His faith was made complete by what he did—by his actions. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, so God declared him to be righteous.” He was even called “the friend of God.” 24 So you see, we are made right with God by what we do, not by faith alone". (NLT)