Friend of God

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

(Chorus):
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
he calls me friend

Phillips, Craig and Dean recorded this song on their 2004 CD entitled "Let the Worshippers Arise" and has become a favorite of mine. (If you want to see them sing this song, go here -Friend of God Video) Perhaps because as the song says - it is amazing that the God of the universe would call me friend or perhaps because it is so personal, so first person, that I am gripped every time I hear it. The song is based on John 15:15 but I have been led to it again from another passage. I have spent the last couple of weeks preparing a message for this Sunday morning at Bible Center from Luke 22. As Christ prepared for the Passover that would become the Last supper, He makes this statement in Luke 22:15, "With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." Passover was a sacred time a time to be together with family or those closest to you. In this case Jesus desired to be with His followers. In the culminating hour of His earthly journey He wanted a time of close and personal fellowship with His followers. Flash forward 1973 years and Jesus still desires close and personal fellowship with His followers. My message Sunday will emphasize that the Lord wants not just our time, our attention or even our loyalty. All of these can be just window dressing on stale routine or empty ritual. What He really wants is our heart. It is His desire. That my motivation, my goals, and ambitions and all that I am or claim to be to be unalterably cemented to Him. He wants it real not rehearsed. He wants to be the epicenter of my life not just the epidermis. He wants my heart. He wants your heart. I want to give Him mine, do you want to give Him yours?