Who is Your BFF?

Romans 5: 9-11 (The Message)
 ^9-11Now that we are set right with God by means of this sacrificial death, the consummate blood sacrifice, there is no longer a question of being at odds with God in any way. If, when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of his Son, now that we're at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his resurrection life! Now that we have actually received this amazing friendship with God, we are no longer content to simply say it in plodding prose. We sing and shout our praises to God through Jesus, the Messiah! 


     BFF.  I remember when this phrase first came out.  I thought it sounded a little strange and was such a "girl thing."  I read something recently that reminded me of the phrase and I began to think. God want's to be your BFF --Best Friend Forever.

     You see there are many different aspects of your relationship to God:  God is your Creator and Maker, Lord and Master, Judge, Redeemer, Father, Savior, and much more.  But above all of these  God yearns to be your best friend.

     Think about the creation of man.  Adam and Eve had a personal relationship with God that was so unique they didn't share it with anyone else.  Think about it:  no rituals, ceremonies, religion --just relationship unhindered by guilt or fear.  They delighted in Him and He delighted in them.

     We were made to live in God's continual presence but after the Fall, that ideal relationship was lost.  Since that time, only a few people have enjoyed that closeness of relations with God:  Moses and Abraham were called "Friends of God", David was known as a Man after God's own heart." and Job, Enoch and Noah had "an intimate relationship with God"  But in the Old testament it seemed that fear, not friendship, was more common.
     But Jesus changed all that when he split history and tore the veil that separated the people from the Holy of Holies.  Now access is available to all of his children.

I don't know about you but I find it amazing that god would want me for a close friend.  But the Bible says, "He is a God who is passionate about His relationship with you."  


How do we become BFFs with God?


1.  Through Constant Conversation:  You will never grow close to God by simply attending church once a week.  We need to establish constant communication with him.  Instead of "getting away" to spend time with God, learn how to spend time with God along the way. No place is any closer to God than where you are right now, whatever that happens to be.
     The Bible says we should pray with ceasing.  How do we do that? One way is to use "breath prayers".  Choose a brief sentence or phrase that can be repeated in one breath.  For example, "You are with me"; "I receive your grace"; "I'm depending on You" "I want to know You".  Practice makes perfect.  By doing this sort of thing, you will become more aware of God's continual presence in your life.

2.  Through Continual Meditation:  Thinking about God's word throughout the day is another way to establish a close friendship with God.  You see, it is impossible to be God's friend without knowing what He says.
     We do this sort of thing all the time with other things.  When we think about a problem over and over in our minds that is called "worry".  When we think about God's word over and over in our minds that is called "meditation".  When you hear a sermon or read your Bible, don't just walk away from it.  Mull it over in your mind.  Go over the points relating it to your own life and situation.

Start today by practicing constant conversations and continual meditation on His Word.  Prayer lets you speak to God.  Meditation lets God God speak to you.  Both are essential to becoming a friend of God.