Friend of God

Special Guest from Kim Johnson's Mold Me Devotion
Theme: Friend of God
Dorothy: I found a song called "Friendship with Jesus" so I add after Kim's "Mold Me" devotion. It is a blessing!

And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. Genesis 15:6

For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” Romans 4:3

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Galatians 3:6

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. James 2:23

On Tuesday night my Bible study was last one for the summer. We "walked" through the first five chapters of Romans as our teacher (Pastor Bill Persall) helped us to better understand verse by verse. I learned lots, so I will share. I fell in love with how God viewed Abraham and his faith, that God was pleased with Abraham's faith, that he was called the Friend of God. God was pleased that Abraham chose to believe (trust completely) Him, and that was all God asked from him. So because of Abraham's faith, there are many nations. If not for the faith of Abraham, there would not be as many nations, and we probably would not be here.

Because Abraham walked in faith believing and trusting the Lord, God counted or credited him righteous. Abraham did not have to work hard to earn or win His favor. It was by his faith that pleased God greatly, and Abraham was his friend. How blessed Abraham was to have His favor because he walked in faith. We who believe in Lord Jesus Christ are made right or accepted, and even though we have not seen Him, He calls us blessed. As John 20: 29 says Jesus told him (doubting Thomas), “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” He is pleased with us and our faith, and we too are His friends because of our faith or belief. We thank God for Abraham and his example. Let us learn from Abraham and how we can better serve our Lord, that we may continue to have His favor.
Thank you Kim Johnson!

Song: Friendship with Jesus
A friend of Jesus, Oh, what bliss (bless)
That one so weak as I
Should ever have a friend like this
To lead me to the sky.
Chorus:
Friendship with Jesus,
Fellowship divine;
Oh, what blessed sweet communion,
Jesus is a friend of mine.
(J. C. Ludgate, Sing His Praise)