God and Me in Twenty-Three (2023): Why is “God and Me in 2023” Important?
Here we are about three weeks into the year 2023. I’m asking myself what will make this year different, in a positive way, than the previous year? I’m not talking about New Year’s resolutions here. I’ve made lots of New Year’s resolutions in years past and, to be honest, I’m not sure that any of them have made a significant difference in my life and who I am. I have been thinking about the current blog category “God and Me in Twenty-Three (2023)” and asking myself what does that mean to me.I guess this is a little “bare my soul time” for all to see. What do I need to do this year to be assured that the Lord will become a closer friend to me than ever before?
Maybe if I share my thoughts on this subject some of you valued blog readers will benefit from my musings. So… here goes. Let’s start with some Scripture:
James 2:23 (NLT2)
23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God.
In James 2:23 above, it says that it is possible to be a friend of God by believing Him! What does that mean exactly, to believe God? It certainly means more than just having head knowledge of God. The Bible says that even satan believes in God; however, he doesn’t believe God! That brings me to my goals for “God and Me in Twenty-Three.”
1. I will believe what God says!
To believe what God says, I must know more of what He says in His Word, the Bible.
2. I will spend more time studying His Word not just reading His Word.
We get to know our friends by spending time with them and talking together. It’s no different with God. We sometimes think of prayer as asking God for things. It’s okay to tell God our requests; however, it is much more than that.
3. I will spend more time with the Lord talking and listening with my Friend.
As I was preparing for this post, I ran across this song by the great singer/song-writer Marvin Gaye. Marvin helped to shape the sound of Motown in the 1960’s. He co-wrote this song titled “God is My Friend.” I felt compelled to share some of the lyrics with you:
Oh, don’t go and talk about my Father, God is my friend, Jesus is my friend.
He made this world for us to live in and gave us everything.
And all He asks of us is we give each other love. Oh yeah,
Don’t go and talk about my Father, ’cause God is my friend.
Jesus is my friend, He loves us whether or not we know it, and He’ll forgive all our sins, oh yeah.
And all He asks of us, oh yeah, is we give each other love, oh yeah.
And when we call on Him for mercy, He’ll be merciful, my friend, oh yeah, oh yes He will.
All He asks of us, I know, is we give each other love, oh yeah.
I believe the song speaks for itself no explanation required!
John 15:13-15 (NLT2)
13There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.