Experiencing Friendship of God

 What is important in your life?

On your deathbed will you regret that you didn't spend enough time watching TV?
Or not enough time at the office?

What is important to you?

Is your family important? Do you pray for your family? Do you spend time with your children?
Do you cultivate a beautiful friendship in your marriage?

If you are a Christian, Jesus wants to have a beautiful friendship with you.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Rev 3:20 NIV

Jesus simply loves you. For many Christians, this is nothing more than a statement of faith.

There are Christians who feel guilty because they only pray for a few minutes and don't read the Bible much.

Other Christians are religiously dutiful people who pray often and are diligent Bible readers.

But when you talk to God, do you expect an answer? But when you talk to God, do you expect an answer? I don't just mean that God will hear your prayers and help you, although that is also wonderful.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; Jn 10:27 NASB95

After his ascension, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to fill all Christians with the Holy Spirit so that we can live in close, friendly fellowship with God.

It is good to believe this, but it is useless if you only believe it as a statement of faith.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Cor 13:14 NIV

God wants to have fellowship with you. God wants you to experience and feel His presence and love.

Many Christians hold on to biblical beliefs, but they are afraid of spiritual experiences. But that was never God's intention for you.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 Jn 4:18 NIV

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Ps 34:8 NIV

‘Taste’ means that we are allowed to experience and enjoy God's love.

God sent his Son to suffer a terrible death on the cross.

Why? To take your punishment upon himself.

Why? Just to found a world religion?

Jesus wants to invite you to experience something much better than a world religion.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Mt 11:28 NASB95

What does ‘refresh’ mean? To refresh, to comfort, to touch you with a love you can feel.