Do you see yourself as a “friend” of GOD?
Jesus spoke in John chapter 15:
14 “You show that you are My intimate friends when you obey all that I command you.
15 I have never called you ‘servants,’ because a master doesn’t confide in his servants, and servants don’t always understand what the master is doing. But I call you My most intimate friends, for I reveal to you everything that I’ve heard from My Father.
16 You didn’t choose Me, but I’ve chosen and commissioned you to go into the world to bear fruit. And your fruit will last, because whatever you ask of My Father, for My sake, He will give it to you!
17 So this is My parting command: Love one another deeply!”
In the mid 1990’s I was praying in THE SPIRIT with some other men and FATHER told me I was HIS friend. That totally surprised me for I felt undeserving to be HIS friend. I couldn’t claim such an honor on my own, but HE initiated it. HE had commanded me to pray at least one hour each morning before work which began in 1990 and I was obedient to that command. I did this for ten years until HE released me. You are just as special to HIM as I am.
The key to becoming intimate with FATHER and Jesus is to be obedient to The Word and The Holy Spirit. Increased obedience brings forth greater intimacy. What was Jesus’ parting command? Love one another deeply! The result will be that you bear much fruit on behalf of The Kingdom.
Outward fruit is a testimony of our relationship with Our Heavenly Father. Lack of fruit is reviewed when Heavenly justice is served.
6 If a person is separated from Me, he is discarded; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire to be burned.
7 But if you live in life-union with Me and if My Words live powerfully within you—then you can ask whatever you desire and it will be done.
8 When your lives bear abundant fruit, you demonstrate that you are My mature disciples who glorify my Father!
Jesus’ Words clearly differentiate between those producing fruit and those who at best are simply observers. Only mature disciples produce good fruit which glorifies Our Heavenly Father. How is your branch doing? Does it have fruit on it? It is better that I pose the question than for Jesus to later review your life and determine your fruit production. Let your joy be full now as you correct whatever is keeping you from being fruitful.
You and I are meant to produce abundant fruit and as we are in union with Jesus, our requests will be manifested. This not only includes needs but also desires. FATHER has given me the desires of my heart in the past, even those that I was reluctant to request. Why? HE is a Loving Father and wants to bless His Sons and Daughters. HE will also call you HIS Friend just as earthly fathers calls the mature children “friends” as well.