Jesus said, “You are my friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:14).
Our priorities in life should be to love God with all our heart, soul and mind, and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:37–39), and to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). God is the creator of the universe, yet He wants to have a personal relationship with each one of us. He wants us to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). We can do so by communicating with Him in prayer, reading and obeying His Word, and submitting to His will.
We are to be thankful for the many blessings we have received (Psalm 103) and to praise Him for His faithful love and care and His constant presence in our lives.
Singing songs that glorify God is a wonderful way to praise Him. I was reminded of the hymn that says: “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.”
When I was young, one of my teachers gave me a card with a picture of Jesus on it. She wrote on the back, “Always be a friend of Jesus.” Later, I learned a song that I still remember today that says: “I am happy, Lord, because You are with me, walking side by side with me, my best friend.”
Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20). Since I asked Him to come into my life, I have always tried to be a friend of Jesus. He came so that we might live life to the full (John 10:10).
If you have not yet received Jesus as your Savior, you can do so by praying the following prayer:
Dear Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God and that You died on the cross for me so that, through Your death and resurrection, I can live forever with You in heaven. I ask that You forgive my sins. I open the door of my heart to You. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me live in a way that glorifies You. Guide my life and help me to follow You. In Your name I pray. Amen.