“No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”— John 15:15 (ESV)

How do you develop a friendship with another person? You talk to them on a regular basis. You share your life with them. That is the same way you approach your relationship with your Heavenly Father. You have to invest the same kind of time and energy as you do with your earthly relationships. This doesn’t happen through, email, texts or social media. 

Sharing your heart and having actual conversations with someone is how you form those deep connections. Our society seems to be missing that. Yes, it takes effort. It is way easier for me to send a text to someone than to pick up the phone and actually engage with them. We can’t send God a text to let Him what He means to us. Spending time reading His Word, praying, giving thanks and loving like Jesus is how we show our love to Him. 

I have written about meditating on God’s Word, but if I don’t make it a priority to do it at some point in my day, He will fall into the background and it becomes harder and harder for me to find Him. Many of us (me included) seem to find plenty of time to scroll through our phones. If you have ever turned on your screen time use on your phone, at the end of the day, you will probably be convicted about the amount of time you are on it. I was. In a past post, I shared how the average amount of times we check our phones daily is 52. According to another study this turns out to be nearly 3 hours a day!

How many of those minutes are spent in God’s Word or listening to an inspirational message? When you are tempted to fill your idle time scrolling through your phone, why not find a podcast that will help you grow in your faith walk or listen to some inspirational music. This is something I can also do as I sit and knit. It’s a win-win for me!

As your relationship with the Lord deepens. Your ability to hear His voice will increase. Those nudges inside of you to do or not do something? That’s the Holy Spirit. Learn to listen for that voice. I know it may be awkward at first to talk to God, but as with anything repetitive, it will eventually come naturally. Kind of like my knitting. Initially, I was clumsy with my hands but now, it has become a part of who I am. I talk to God as if I am talking to a close friend. At first, it was hard but now, I look forward to communicating with Him and soaking in His presence.

Psalm 73:23, this month’s memory verse is a sweet reminder that Jesus, your friend, is always with you and holding you by the right hand.

Dear Lord, 

Thank You Jesus that You call me Your friend. Through Your Word, You have made known to ALL what God has made known to You. Reveal Yourself to me this week through scriptures, song or inspirational messages that will deepen my faith walk with You. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things. Amen.

January Memory Verse

“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.”—Psalm 73:23

Please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.