Your Friend

"Well!", you may object, "IF God IS my Friend then WHY am I going through ______?" There could be many reasons for this, and I want to explain HOW God can be your friend, so I will give you the foundational reason: every last human being that was born (except for One) was messed up spiritually. Our own personal spirit is the actual core of us. I'm sure you have heard the phrase "rotten to the core." Well, each one of us has a sin nature. Becuase every human is bothered to some degree with a sin nature( some moreso than others ), either our actions invite trouble or others give it to us! Becasue sin entered into the world the whole planet is now messed up. But, do not worry; at the proper time God will fix it.

What God wants to do right now is to fix our nature so it is no longer sinful. That way, when He fixes the rest of creation, will be able to be in His presence to enjoy it.

God loves you immensely, far beyond what you can imagine and He does want to help you and He does want to be your Friend. Only one thing stops you from being friends with God and that one thing is sin. We need to be truly sorry for out sins. By truly sorry we do not mean be sorry the sin bothers us or that we may go to hell, but sorry because our sin sent Jesus to the cross to die for our sins.

Think about that for a minute. God loved you so much that He veiled Himself in flesh for you and for me. No mere man could do this . . .

None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption. Psalm 49:7-9

Neither could any angel do it, for we read in Hebrews 1:13 & 14...

But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Who did redeem us? Back to Psalm 49 for the answer, verse 15!...

But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

God Himself took our flesh through His Son! God has always been Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We do not have to understand every detail of this to be saved, we just have to trust Jesus to come into our hearts and live through us. But, to give you an example that there is one God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, take for example yourself. There is only one you right? But you ARE body, soul and spirit (1 Thess. 5:23).

The Bible clearly shows that Jesus is God (1 John 5:20), but it also clearly shows distinction between the Father and Son, the Son being obedient to the Father. That obedience was for OUR benefit, that, onec we are sorry for our sins and we ask Christ into our hearts ( that is, the center of our being ), HE lives through us, doing those things that please the Father: and we are credited with that.

That's a real Friend. He took our flesh, suffered and was victorious over every temptation we face, then took all of our sin, took our punishment on the cross, died in that manner, was raised from the dead, and then ascended into heaven with that resurrection body - so we, too, may do all these same things!

Look at it this way - we are a computer that needs reprogramed. Jesus IS that program. He wants to be our life. Let Him live in you today. Here is what to do to be friends with Him.

Here is a a prayer you can pray to help you to commit your life to Christ

Father, forgive me for being a sinner. I am truly sorry for what I have done. I ask Christ into my heart and I ask Him to live through me. I give my whole life to You. I love you, in Jesus Name I pray, amen..

If you really meant those things when you prayed then you are truly born again. You have a new life in God. Hang on to it! Do not follow religion, just Jesus. I am not saying "don't go to church, but I am saying always listen to God and do whatever He says.

Here are some things to help you hang on to your new life ...

READ THE BIBLE -Get the King James Version or the New King James version. I have found that the KJV has remained most true to the actual Greek of the New Testament than the other translations out there. The language is over 400 years old, but ask God to help you. Get a Bible dictionary that will explain some of those old King James words. Some newer translations for the sake of clarity deter from the actual Greek ever so slightly, but it is my opinion that they have done great damage to Christendom. The Bible is the direct source for our instructions from God. Preachers, evangelists, Bible teachers may be helpful at times, but each Christian needs to get his / her teaching and nourishment directly from God. Ask God to help you with understanding the Bible - He will! Ask God to help you enjoy the Bible - He will! WORSHIP GOD-Worship is expressing our love to God. Part of it should be vocal and the rest of it should be in action. Tell God you love Him. Praise Him. Say things like "Hallelujah" ( Praise the Lord ), "Praise you Lord", "Thank You Jesus", etc.. Spend time in worship. PRAY- Prayer is simple communication with God. Talk to Him. Yes, you may ask Him for things, but keep in mind that He is Lord, - not a Genie! He will give us what is best for us and for the Kingdom fo God. Pray for others. Pray for yourself with your attitude towards others. There are many things to pray about. But, prayer is a two way street. LISTEN to what God may be saying back to you. You will sense this in your heart. GO TO CHURCH AND PARTICIPATE- Find a good church that believes the whole Bible, not a Bible full of holes. That is difficult in this time. Ask God to guide your steps. When you locate a church, keep checking what you hear and see with what you read in the Word of God. Accept only those things that are true and match what God's Word says. Never say I "don't do this" or I "do do that" because my church or my pastor says so. You "do" or "not do" because GOD says so. BE BAPTIZED IN WATER-As you let Christ live through you, you will want to be baptized in water. It will be a pubic testimony to all that you have decided to leave your former life behind and to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. TELL OTHERS ABOUT JESUS- Share with others what God has done for you in saving your soul. If you are kind of shy right now, pass out Gospel tracts. SERVE THE LORD-Find something to do for Jesus.Volunteer, help out someway in Church, no matter how humble the task may be.

There are many more difficult days ahead for this world, far more difficult than we have ever seen. You, yourself may face some terrible things in the future, but, if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you now have a Friend that will be with you as long you stay with Him.