Topic: Be His Friend [Teens’ Open Heavens Tuesday 30th, January 2018]
Memorise: Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. John 15:15
Read: Genesis 18:17-18 (KJV)
17 And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
Bible In One Year: Exodus 22-24, Matthew 20:17-34
MESSAGE:
The God we serve is not only a God of choice and promise, but also a friendly and loving God. God had a friendly relationship with Abraham, and in Genesis 18:17, God was asking whether He could hide anything from Abraham because of their friendship. As high as God is, He is not ashamed to be friend with the works of His hands.
When you give your life to Christ, He may keep some secrets from you until He tries you and sees that you are ready and worthy of being trusted with divine secrets. In the Kingdom, a child is no different from a servant till the child grows into maturity (Galatians 4:1-2). If you are wise, you will start to obey whatever instructions God gives you, and once you begin to do this, you will start to mature.
God will then start to share some secrets with you, and will wait to see how you handle such privileged information. When He has tested your level of commitment, love and loyalty, and He is satisfied, He will upgrade the relationship by making you His friend. At what level are you operating with God?
Key Point: God wants to upgrade you to the level of friendship but it will take your cooperation and willingness.
Hymn 10:
1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Ev’rything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Ev’rything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a Friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our ev’ry weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
3. Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield You;
You wilt find a solace there.
Daily Devotional for Teen’s guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.
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