Morning by Morning, July 18 - Friendship of God through Obedience of God by the Grace of God Good morning, Lord Jesus. I watch and wait for Your leading--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ... “The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him, He makes His covenant known to them” (Psalm 25:14). O Lord, my God, You’re my heavenly Father and Creator, my Lord and Savior, my Advocate and Comforter. And You also desire to be my Friend, just as You desire that from every one of Your children. But in Your Words, Your friendship requires my faithfulness. Your friendship is reserved for those who fear Your name, who yield to Your Word, who humble themselves to honor Your ways. This level of intimacy is reserved for those who willing trust You with all their hearts and deliberately seek to obey You with all their lives. It’s all by Your grace, but it requires our desire and determination (John 15:5). Some think and even teach that’s just “an Old Testament thing,” only required by “the God of the Old Testament.” Some think grace does not expect obedience. Some think friendship does not require faithfulness. But Your Word teaches differently. As You said directly in the “red letter words” of Your New Testament, “You are My friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:14). Though You are always my Lord and Savior, I also want You to always be my best Friend. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart. Let my words and my actions be an expression of my honor, reverence, and respect of You and Your Word and Your ways in my heart. Help me want to hear and obey Your voice and Your will. “He who has the bride is the Bridegroom. The friend of the Bridegroom, who stands and hears Him, rejoices greatly at the Bridegroom’s voice. For this reason, my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:29-30). With all my heart that’s been changed and moved by the power of Your grace at work within me, I want to be a friend of God, a friend of the Bridegroom, a friend of Yours in both love and obedience. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Be encouraged today. In the love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you draw near to God in the friendship of God through obedience to God by the grace of God, in Jesus' name. Amen. God bless you, my friend! And you have a great day!
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Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries 502 North Milam Street Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
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