AUGUST 7

John 15:14

              ARE YOU A FRIEND OF JESUS?

“Did you know there are only three kinds of people in this world?” Caleb asked his Sunday school teacher one day.

“And what would they be?” asked Mr. Kan. “ Those who can count and those who can’t,” said Caleb with a grin. Mr. Ken hesitated a moment and then burst out laughing.

“I don’t get it. Why is that so funny?” asked Jon, one of the boys in the class.

“I said three kinds of people,” repeated Caleb, “but I named only two - those who can count and those who can’t. So I’m obviously one who can’t. Get it now?” Jon and a couple of the other boys joined in the laughter. “We might also say there are only two kinds of people,” said Mr. Kan, “and it wouldn’t be a joke. There are those who are friends of God and those who aren’t.”

The boys were silent a moment. Then Caleb nodded. “I’m a Christian, so I’m a friend of God, right?” he asked. “Me, too,” said Justin, and most of the others nodded. Mr. Kan smiled. “Good-and are you growing in your friendship with God?” he asked. “ Think about the kids at school - how can you tell which ones are friends?”

Caleb remembered seeing girls jumping rope, boys playing football in the grass, and groups of older students busily talking and laughing with one another. “ That’s easy,” he said. “ They hang out together.”

Mr. Kan nodded. “ That’s how friendships grow - through time spent together,” he said. “When you put your faith in Jesus, you made the commitment to be God’s friend. Now you need to ‘grow’ that friendship by spending time with Him. You do that by letting Him talk to you as you read and study His Word - the Bible. You talk to Him through prayer. As you do this and yield yourself to Him, you’ll nd you treat other people in a more loving way. The decisions you make from day to day will reflect His love and show that you are His friend.”

Thought: Are you growing in your friendship with God?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, may I learn to be closer with You. And I pray that my friendship with You will influence the things I value, the way I treat others, what computer games I play, and how I spend my time. In Jesus’ name – amen.