Friday, May 31, 2013 -- Friendship-having Friends, Making Friends, Being A Friend (5)

How do we enter into this friendship relationship with God that makes life safe and satisfying and guarantees us life, beyond the grave, in heaven?

Jesus says:  "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." (John 14:6 NLT) We can know for sure that what we hope for can be our experience.  Jesus has made the way.  Jesus has the power to give us this wonderful relationship.  Today, Jesus offers us forgiveness and hope and an enduring relationship of love and tenderness. 

We don't know how to enter into a healthy relationship.  We are self-centered in terms of both our desires and what will work to give us what we need and want.  In order for our relationship with God to become strong and meaningful we have to surrender our old self-centered ways and follow His direction.   There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.  (Proverbs 14:12 NKJV)

We were created to live in relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  Jesus died that we could be forgiven and healed and saved from a life of following our own inadequate plans.  We were liberated to live in a new way that God would show us, and empower us, through the Holy Spirit to live.  This new life is meaningful and satisfying.  It is the way of life and truth.

God invites us today to make a choice for life and loving relationship.  The Bible shows us how God sees us with these words: You are saying, ‘Our sins are heavy upon us; we are wasting away! How can we survive?’  As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?  (Ezekiel 33:10-11 NLT)

How does Jesus make a way for us?  Jesus left heaven, came to earth, lived a sinless life and died for our sins. He paid the price that our brokenness and sin deserved.  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 NLT)  Today Jesus stands waiting for us to receive forgiveness, open the door our heart to Him and invite Him to live in us and establish this wonderful relationship in us. 

Jesus says:  Look!  I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. (Revelation 3:20 NLT)

God I come to you today because of what Jesus has said and done.  I want to have this lovely relationship of peace and goodness that You are making available to me.  Thank you Jesus for doing what was necessary by dying on the cross to take the sin and death out of me and to fill me with life and forgiveness.  I open my life to You.  I receive You.  I receive what You are giving.  From now on I will follow You and obey Your good words.  Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so I can know You and know how to follow You on a day to day basis.  Amen