Being God’s Friend

Focus Verse: 1 John 4:19 “We love him,
because he first loved us!”

I hope as we read these great testimonies, you will be inspired to know that regular people just like you have been friends with God- approved and accepted. It is possible through faith in Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to have a deep, meaningful friendship with God. Most importantly, He wants to have this relationship with you.

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Being-Gods-Friend

Being God’s Friend

Friends Of God Found In The Bible

2 Chronicles 16:9a “For Yahweh’s eyes run back and forth throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him….”

Job 34:21 “God’s eyes are on a person’s ways. He sees all his steps.”

Being God’s Friend

Genesis 5:22-24 “After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God for 300 years, and he had other sons and daughters.  (23)  The entire lifetime of Enoch was 365 years.  (24) Enoch walked with God, and then he disappeared because God took him away.”

Hebrews 11:5 “Faith enabled Enoch to be taken instead of dying. No one could find him, because God had taken him. Scripture states that before Enoch was taken, God was pleased with him.”

Being God’s Friend

Genesis 6:8-9 “But the LORD was pleased with Noah.  (9)  This is the account of Noah and his descendants. Noah had God’s approval and was a man of integrity among the people of his time. He walked with God.”

Hebrews 11:7  “By faith, Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a ship for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”

Being God’s Friend

Exodus 33:17-23 “The LORD answered Moses, “I will do what you have asked, because I am pleased with you, and I know you by name.”  (18)  Then Moses said, “Please let me see your glory.”  (19)  The LORD said, “I will let all my goodness pass in front of you, and there I will call out my name ‘the LORD.’ I will be kind to anyone I want to. I will be merciful to anyone I want to.  (20) But you can’t see my face, because no one may see me and live.”  (21)  Then the LORD said, “Look, there’s a place near me. Stand by this rocky cliff.  (22)  When my glory passes by, I will put you in a crevice in the cliff and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.  (23) Then I will take my hand away, and you’ll see my back, but my face must not be seen.”

Hebrews 11:23-30  “By faith, Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.  (24)  By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,  (25)  choosing rather to share ill treatment with God’s people, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time;  (26)  accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward.  (27)  By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.  (28)  By faith, he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.  (29)  By faith, they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up.  (30)  By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been encircled for seven days.”

Being God’s Friend

James 2:23-24 “The Scripture passage came true. It says, “Abraham believed God, and that faith was regarded by God to be his approval of Abraham.” So Abraham was called God’s friend.  (24) You see that a person receives God’s approval because of what he does, not only because of what he believes.”

Isaiah 41:8 “But you are my servant Israel, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the descendant of Abraham, my dear friend.”

Genesis 18:17-19 “The LORD said, “I shouldn’t hide what I am going to do from Abraham.  (18)  After all, Abraham is going to become a great and mighty nation and through him all the nations of the earth will be blessed.  (19)  I have chosen him so that he will direct his children and his family after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just. In this way I, the LORD, will do what I have promised Abraham.”

Hebrews 11:17-19 “When God tested Abraham, faith led him to offer his son Isaac. Abraham, the one who received the promises from God, was willing to offer his only son as a sacrifice.  (18)  God had said to him, “Through Isaac your descendants will carry on your name.”  (19)  Abraham believed that God could bring Isaac back from the dead. Abraham did receive Isaac back from the dead in a figurative sense.”

Being God’s Friend

Daniel 10:9-21 “Yet I heard the voice of his words. When I heard the voice of his words, then I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground.  (10)  Behold, a hand touched me, which set me on my knees and on the palms of my hands.  (11)  He said to me, Daniel, you greatly beloved man, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright; for I have been sent to you, now. When he had spoken this word to me, I stood trembling.  (12)  Then he said to me, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel; for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come for your words’ sake.  (13)  But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; but, behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me because I remained there with the kings of Persia.  (14) Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days; for the vision is yet for many days.”  (15)  When he had spoken these words to me, I set my face toward the ground, and was mute.  (16)  Behold, one in the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth, and spoke and said to him who stood before me, “My lord, by reason of the vision my sorrows have overtaken me, and I retain no strength.  (17)  For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? For as for me, immediately there remained no strength in me. There was no breath left in me.”  (18)  Then one like the appearance of a man touched me again, and he strengthened me.  (19)  He said, “Greatly beloved man, don’t be afraid. Peace be to you. Be strong. Yes, be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak; for you have strengthened me.”  (20)  Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Now I will return to fight with the prince of Persia. When I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come.  (21)  But I will tell you that which is inscribed in the writing of truth. There is no one who holds with me against these, but Michael your prince.”

Being God’s Friend

1 Samuel 13:14 “But now your kingdom will not continue. Yahweh has sought for himself a man after his own heart, and Yahweh has appointed him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept that which Yahweh commanded you.”

1 Samuel 16:12-13 “He sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with a handsome face and good appearance. Yahweh said, “Arise! Anoint him, for this is he.”  (13)  Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the middle of his brothers. Then Yahweh’s Spirit came mightily on David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.”

Being God’s Friend

2 Kings 2:9-12 “After they had reached the other side, Elijah said, “Elisha, the LORD will soon take me away. What can I do for you before that happens?” Elisha answered, “Please give me twice as much of your power as you give the other prophets, so I can be the one who takes your place as their leader.”  (10)  “It won’t be easy,” Elijah answered. “It can happen only if you see me as I am being taken away.”  (11)  Elijah and Elisha were walking along and talking, when suddenly there appeared between them a flaming chariot pulled by fiery horses. Right away, a strong wind took Elijah up into heaven.  (12)  Elisha saw this and shouted, “Israel’s cavalry and chariots have taken my master away!” After Elijah had gone, Elisha tore his clothes in sorrow.”

James 5:17-18  “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it didn’t rain on the earth for three years and six months.  (18)  He prayed again, and the sky gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.”

Being God’s Friend

Luke 1:28-33 “Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!”  (29)  But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be.  (30)  The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  (31)  Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and give birth to a son, and will call his name ‘Jesus.’  (32)  He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David,  (33)  and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom.”

Being God’s Friend

Matthew 3:16-17 “So Jesus was baptized. And as soon as he came out of the water, the sky opened, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down on him like a dove.  (17)  Then a voice from heaven said, “This is my own dear Son, and I am pleased with him.”

Matthew 12:17-21 “So what the prophet Isaiah had said came true:  (18) “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, whom I love, and in whom I delight. I will put my Spirit on him, and he will announce justice to the nations.  (19)  He will not quarrel or shout, and no one will hear his voice in the streets.  (20)  He will not break off a damaged cattail. He will not even put out a smoking wick until he has made justice victorious.  (21) The nations will have hope because of him.”

Matthew 17:5-7 “While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”  (6)  When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid.  (7)  Jesus came and touched them and said, “Get up, and don’t be afraid.”

Being God’s Friend

Those Who Will Stand Before God Forever!

Here is a list of those who pleased God so much, that He bestowed a special blessing on their descendants to be before His presence forever:

Being God’s Friend

Numbers 25:1-13 “When Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to commit sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab.  (2)  These women invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods; then the people ate and bowed down to their gods.  (3)  When Israel joined themselves to Baal-peor, the anger of the LORD flared up against Israel.  (4)  The LORD said to Moses, “Arrest all the leaders of the people, and hang them up before the LORD in broad daylight, so that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel.”  (5)  So Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Each of you must execute those of his men who were joined to Baal-peor.”  (6)  Just then one of the Israelites came and brought to his brothers a Midianite woman in the plain view of Moses and of the whole community of the Israelites, while they were weeping at the entrance of the tent of meeting.  (7)  When Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he got up from among the assembly, took a javelin in his hand, (8) and went after the Israelite man into the tent and thrust through the Israelite man and into the woman’s abdomen. So the plague was stopped from the Israelites.  (9)  Those that died in the plague were 24,000.  (10)  The LORD spoke to Moses:  (11)  “Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned my anger away from the Israelites, when he manifested such zeal for my sake among them, so that I did not consume the Israelites in my zeal.  (12)  Therefore, announce: ‘I am going to give to him my covenant of peace.  (13) So it will be to him and his descendants after him a covenant of a permanent priesthood, because he has been zealous for his God, and has made atonement for the Israelites.’”

Being God’s Friend

Jeremiah 35:1-19 “The LORD spoke to Jeremiah when Jehoiakim son of Josiah was ruling over Judah.  (2)  “Go to the Rechabite community. Invite them to come into one of the side rooms of the LORD’s temple and offer them some wine to drink.”  (3)  So I went and got Jaazaniah son of Jeremiah the grandson of Habazziniah, his brothers, all his sons, and all the rest of the Rechabite community.  (4)  I took them to the LORD’s temple. I took them into the room where the disciples of the prophet Hanan son of Igdaliah stayed. That room was next to the one where the temple officers stayed and above the room where Maaseiah son of Shallum, one of the doorkeepers of the temple, stayed.  (5)  Then I set cups and pitchers full of wine in front of the members of the Rechabite community and said to them, “Have some wine.”  (6)  But they answered, “We do not drink wine because our ancestor Jonadab son of Rechab commanded us not to. He told us, ‘You and your children must never drink wine.  (7)  Do not build houses. Do not plant crops. Do not plant a vineyard or own one. Live in tents all your lives. If you do these things you will live a long time in the land that you wander about on.’  (8)  We and our wives and our sons and daughters have obeyed everything our ancestor Jonadab son of Rechab commanded us. We have never drunk wine.  (9)  We have not built any houses to live in. We do not own any vineyards, fields, or crops.  (10)  We have lived in tents. We have obeyed our ancestor Jonadab and done exactly as he commanded us.  (11)  But when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon invaded the land we said, ‘Let’s get up and go to Jerusalem to get away from the Babylonian and Aramean armies.’ That is why we are staying here in Jerusalem.”  (12)  Then the LORD’s message came to Jeremiah.  (13)  The LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel told him, “Go and speak to the people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem. Tell them, ‘I, the LORD, say: “You must learn a lesson from this about obeying what I say!  (14)  Jonadab son of Rechab ordered his descendants not to drink wine. His orders have been carried out. To this day his descendants have drunk no wine because they have obeyed what their ancestor commanded them. But I have spoken to you over and over again, but you have not obeyed me!  (15)  I sent all my servants the prophets to warn you over and over again. They said, “Every one of you, stop doing the evil things you have been doing and do what is right. Do not pay allegiance to other gods and worship them. Then you can continue to live in this land that I gave to you and your ancestors.” But you did not pay any attention or listen to me.  (16)  Yes, the descendants of Jonadab son of Rechab have carried out the orders that their ancestor gave them. But you people have not obeyed me!  (17)  So I, the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, say: “I will soon bring on Judah and all the citizens of Jerusalem all the disaster that I threatened to bring on them. I will do this because I spoke to them but they did not listen. I called out to them but they did not answer.”’”  (18)  Then Jeremiah spoke to the Rechabite community, “The LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel says, ‘You have obeyed the orders of your ancestor Jonadab. You have followed all his instructions. You have done exactly as he commanded you.’  (19)  So the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel says, ‘Jonadab son of Rechab will never lack a male descendant to serve me.”

Being God’s Friend

Ezekiel 44:6-16 “Say to the rebellious, to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Enough of all your abominable practices, O house of Israel!  (7)  When you bring foreigners, those uncircumcised in heart and in flesh, into my sanctuary, you desecrate it – even my house – when you offer my food, the fat and the blood. You have broken my covenant by all your abominable practices.  (8)  You have not kept charge of my holy things, but you have assigned foreigners to keep charge of my sanctuary for you.  (9)  This is what the Sovereign LORD says: No foreigner, who is uncircumcised in heart and flesh among all the foreigners who are among the people of Israel, will enter into my sanctuary.  (10)  “‘But the Levites who went far from me, straying off from me after their idols when Israel went astray, will be responsible for their sin.  (11)  Yet they will be ministers in my sanctuary, having oversight at the gates of the temple, and serving the temple. They will slaughter the burnt offerings and the sacrifices for the people, and they will stand before them to minister to them.  (12)  Because they used to minister to them before their idols, and became a sinful obstacle to the house of Israel, consequently I have made a vow concerning them, declares the Sovereign LORD, that they will be responsible for their sin.  (13)  They will not come near me to serve me as priest, nor will they come near any of my holy things, the things which are most sacred. They will bear the shame of the abominable deeds they have committed.  (14)  Yet I will appoint them to keep charge of the temple, all of its service and all that will be done in it.  (15)  “‘But the Levitical priests, the descendants of Zadok who kept the charge of my sanctuary when the people of Israel went astray from me, will approach me to minister to me; they will stand before me to offer me the fat and the blood, declares the Sovereign LORD.  (16) They will enter my sanctuary, and approach my table to minister to me; they will keep my charge.”

Being God’s Friend

1 Kings 2:33  “May Joab and his descendants be perpetually guilty of their shed blood, but may the LORD give perpetual peace to David, his descendants, his family, and his dynasty.”

1 Kings 2:44-45 “Then the king said to Shimei, “You are well aware of the way you mistreated my father David. The LORD will punish you for what you did.  (45) But King Solomon will be empowered and David’s dynasty will endure permanently before the LORD.”

Being God’s Friend

Solomon’s Prayer

1 Kings 8:25  “Now, O LORD, God of Israel, keep the promise you made to your servant, my father David, when you said, ‘You will never fail to have a successor ruling before me on the throne of Israel, provided that your descendants watch their step and serve me as you have done.”

1 Kings 9:5-8 “Then I will allow your dynasty to rule over Israel permanently, just as I promised your father David, ‘You will not fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’  (6)  “But if you or your sons ever turn away from me, fail to obey the regulations and rules I instructed you to keep, and decide to serve and worship other gods,  (7)  then I will remove Israel from the land I have given them, I will abandon this temple I have consecrated with my presence, and Israel will be mocked and ridiculed among all the nations.  (8)  This temple will become a heap of ruins; everyone who passes by it will be shocked and will hiss out their scorn, saying, ‘Why did the LORD do this to this land and this temple?”

Being God’s Friend

Luke 1:32-33 “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.  (33) He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.”

Isaiah 9:6-7 “For a child has been born to us, a son has been given to us. He shoulders responsibility and is called: Amazing Adviser, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  (7)  His dominion will be vast and he will bring immeasurable prosperity. He will rule on David’s throne and over David’s kingdom, establishing it and strengthening it by promoting justice and fairness, from this time forward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will accomplish this.”

Jeremiah 33:14-18 “I, the LORD, affirm: ‘The time will certainly come when I will fulfill my gracious promise concerning the nations of Israel and Judah.  (15)  In those days and at that time I will raise up for them a righteous descendant of David. “‘He will do what is just and right in the land.  (16)  Under his rule Judah will enjoy safety and Jerusalem will live in security. At that time Jerusalem will be called “The LORD has provided us with justice.”  (17)  For I, the LORD, promise: “David will never lack a successor to occupy the throne over the nation of Israel.  (18) Nor will the Levitical priests ever lack someone to stand before me and continually offer up burnt offerings, sacrifice cereal offerings, and offer the other sacrifices.”

Being God’s Friend

Insert Your Name Here

This leads us to those who follow Jesus: You and Me.

We are the descendants- a Royal Kingdom.

Revelation 2:26-27 “He who overcomes, and he who keeps my works to the end, to him I will give authority over the nations.  (27) He will rule them with a rod of iron, shattering them like clay pots; as I also have received of my Father:”

Being God’s Friend

Jesus: Never Ending Priesthood

Hebrews 7:19-28 “Moses’ Teachings couldn’t accomplish everything that God required. But we have something else that gives us greater confidence and allows us to approach God.  (20)  None of this happened without an oath. The men from the tribe of Levi may have become priests without an oath, (21) but Jesus became a priest when God took an oath. God said about him, “The Lord has taken an oath and will not change his mind. You are a priest forever.”  (22)  In this way Jesus has become the guarantee of a better promise.  (23)  There was a long succession of priests because when a priest died he could no longer serve.  (24)  But Jesus lives forever, so he serves as a priest forever.  (25) That is why he is always able to save those who come to God through him. He can do this because he always lives and intercedes for them.  (26)  We need a chief priest who is holy, innocent, pure, set apart from sinners, and who has the highest position in heaven.  (27)  We need a priest who doesn’t have to bring daily sacrifices as those chief priests did. First they brought sacrifices for their own sins, and then they brought sacrifices for the sins of the people. Jesus brought the sacrifice for the sins of the people once and for all when he sacrificed himself.  (28)  Moses’ Teachings designated mortals as chief priests even though they had weaknesses. But God’s promise, which came after Moses’ Teachings, designated the Son who forever accomplished everything that God required.”

Being God’s Friend

Insert Your Name Here

This leads us to those who follow Jesus: You and Me.

We are the descendants- a Royal Priesthood.

1 Peter 2:9-10 “However, you are chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, people who belong to God. You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God, who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.  (10)  Once you were not God’s people, but now you are. Once you were not shown mercy, but now you have been shown mercy.”

Please See My Study Of The Priesthood of Christians On MY Website

Being God’s Friend

Closing:

I hope we can clearly see what kind of God our God is. How much He enjoys His children, and how willing He is to be a part of their lives. More than that, how deep our relationship with Him can be. You can be one of these people we just read about. IF you are willing and give God your whole heart, and hold nothing back. As we close, let’s read the following Psalm. David explores the deep love and care of God.

Being God’s Friend

Be encouraged with this beautiful song:

Psalms 139:1-18 “You have looked deep into my heart, LORD, and you know all about me.  (2)  You know when I am resting or when I am working, and from heaven you discover my thoughts.  (3)  You notice everything I do and everywhere I go.  (4)  Before I even speak a word, you know what I will say, (5) and with your powerful arm you protect me from every side.  (6)  I can’t understand all of this! Such wonderful knowledge is far above me.  (7)  Where could I go to escape from your Spirit or from your sight?  (8)  If I were to climb up to the highest heavens, you would be there. If I were to dig down to the world of the dead you would also be there.  (9) Suppose I had wings like the dawning day and flew across the ocean.  (10)  Even then your powerful arm would guide and protect me.  (11)  Or suppose I said, “I’ll hide in the dark until night comes to cover me over.”  (12)  But you see in the dark because daylight and dark are all the same to you.  (13)  You are the one who put me together inside my mother’s body, (14) and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt.  (15)  Nothing about me is hidden from you! I was secretly woven together deep in the earth below, (16) but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed. Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything I would do.  (17)  Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding, much more than I could ever imagine.  (18)  I try to count your thoughts, but they outnumber the grains of sand on the beach. And when I awake, I will find you nearby.”

Being God’s Friend

Being God’s Friend