I am a Friend of God

Today I would like to talk about friendship.  The dictionary defines it as:

1. the state of being a friend; association as friends: to value a person's friendship.  2. a friendly relation or intimacy. 3. friendly feeling or disposition. ​

One Sunday a month the residents, staff, and RAs at New Beginnings-A Home For Mothers go to church together; afterwards we join for a family meal.  This is called Friendship Sunday.  Two Sundays ago, as we all (there were ten of us) walked into St, Marcus, a beautiful modern Gothic style church with large stained glass windows, we heard perfect harmony coming from the four person choir as they sang Friend of God. Written by Israel Houghten it goes: "Who am I that you are mindful of me, that you hear me when I call. Is it true that you are thinking of me.  How you love me, it's amazing."  Then 3 XS the chorus - "I am a friend of God." finishing with "He calls me friend. God Almighty, Lord of glory. You have called me friend." 

That is not a small thing! That is a mind blowing, life changing concept.  Through Jesus Christ's sacrifice for us on the cross we have been united with God and we are called His friends,  James 2:23 says "And the scripture was fulfilled that says, " Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God's friend."  In John 15:15 Jesus says, "I no longer call you servants because a servant does not know his master's business.  instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."  

Do you believe that today? 

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​Karen O'Leary is an Assistant Home Manager at New Beginnings. She has her BA in Bible Theology and her Masters of Divinity. She has 8-years of experience as a Social Director at a non-profit organization helping those in crisis with financial assistance, brief supportive counseling, and being a spiritual presence in their time of need.  In her free time Karen enjoys reading, cooking and traveling.