Being God's Friend = Being Bold!

by James Moody
(Melbourne, Australia)

Proverbs 3:1-6

When God made the Heavens, the Universe, the stars, the earth and us, He created our purposes, our lives, our gifts, our dreams and our desires. He only had ONE thing on his mind! The desire for US to be HIS friend, GOD’S friend! To be his friend, we must grow BOLDLY in him, trusting in him, and faithful in him!

The first thing we need to do, which is one of the major problems we have in this generation and past generations, is that we need to let him out of out Sunday mailbox and invite him on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday! He wants FULL ACCESS to YOUR life! He wants the backstage pass too – why?

No1. So he can work with you (Change your life, Finish off what he started, etc.)

No2. So he can make you stronger (He will use your weaknesses, etc.)

No3. So he can help you fulfil your purposes (It’s the only reason you are here, to learn, etc.)

No4. So he can help you understand (Why are you on earth and what are you doing, etc.)

No5. So he can teach you his ways (The bible shows us role-models, etc.)

No6. So he can be your...friend! His one ultimate desire!

What do you do with your mates?...Talk, Laugh, Argue, Question, Complain? What else?
God wants to have that with us! The Bible tells us to ACKNOWLEDGE God in ALL our ways.

Proverbs 3:1-6
My son, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be fulfilling. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favour with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. ACKNOWLEDGE his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Acknowledge means to care about what some one thinks. There was one person who was a close friend to God. He had the honor of being called God’s friend in the Bible more than 6 times! That one man was called Abraham.

Isaiah 41:8
But you, Israel, are my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen. The descendants of Abraham, My FRIEND!

James 2:23
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.

The one thing that shocked me but inspired me was when Abraham questioned God Almighty! He questioned THE GOD, who created the heavens and earth, created us, created our plans and purposes, makes no mistake at all! And Abraham was THAT STUPID to say WHY?!...NO! He was BOLD! When Abraham questioned God, you can see the intimacy and security in the relationship!

Genesis 18:17 – 18:20-33
GOD said, "Shall I keep back from Abraham what I'm about to do? GOD continued, "The cries of the victims in Sodom and Gomorrah are deafening; the sin of those cities is immense. I'm going down to see for myself, see if what they're doing is as bad as it sounds. Then I'll know." The men set out for Sodom, but Abraham stood in GOD’s path, blocking his way. Abraham confronted him, "Are you serious? Are you planning on getting rid of the good people right along with the bad?

What if there are fifty decent people left in the city; will you lump the good with the bad and get rid of the lot? Wouldn't you spare the city for the sake of those fifty innocents? I can't believe you'd do that, kill off the good and the bad alike as if there were no difference between them. Doesn't the Judge of the entire Earth judge with justice?"

GOD said, "If I find fifty decent people in the city of Sodom, I'll spare the place just for them." Abraham came back, "Do I, a mere mortal made from a handful of dirt, dare open my mouth again to my Master? What if the fifty falls short by five—would you destroy the city because of those missing five?" He said, "I won't destroy it if there are forty-five." Abraham spoke up again, "What if you only find forty?"

"Neither will I destroy it if for forty." He said, "Master, don't be irritated with me, but what if only thirty are found?"

"No, I won't do it if I find thirty." He pushed on, "I know I'm trying your patience, Master, but how about for twenty?"

"I won't destroy it for twenty." He wouldn't quit, "Don't get angry, Master—this is the last time. What if you only come up with ten?" For the sake of only ten, I won't destroy the city." When GOD finished talking with Abraham, he left. And Abraham went home.

1st of all. He spoke out to God.
2nd of all. He questioned God
3rd of all. He Argued then Compromised with God
4th. He was BOLD enough to lower the bar more than 5 times.

Here is a great example to show where we are with God- (Waiter Story. not close enough but with her friend’s, they are closer! And bolder)

Are you Bold enough to ASK God? God wants us to talk to him, ask him for things, to complain to him! Job complained about his life!

Job 3:11
"Why didn't I die at birth, my first breath out of the womb my last? Why were there arms to rock me, and breasts for me to drink from? I could be resting in peace right now, asleep forever, feeling no pain,

God wants us to let Him know about our feelings, emotions, thoughts! WHY? Because that’s how you become intimate with him! Abraham did that, so did Job!

As you draw closer to God, you become BOLDER with him! Therefore your relationship with him strengthens! We shall not go to God wondering if he will hear our prayers, BUT go boldly knowing that for what we ask shall be given! Given an answer!! We need to stop asking survival prayers (Example) ‘Just’ Prayers (Example) or ‘Can I?’ Prayers, (Example).

We need to ask BOLDLY for something because we would be underestimating God’s generosity! As you get closer to God, he will entrust you with his responsibilities. Just as God shared things with Abraham...He will share things with you! His heart, his desires, his plans, his purposes and his intentions. He may not reveal everything you would like to know but just enough to understand.

Let me ask you something. Why do you worship God? – To get closer to him? Why do you attend to church? – To learn about him? Why do you read the bible? – To learn his teachings and his ways? This is how we shall grow BOLDLY in GOD!

PRAYER