Dear Family, 

Today is Friday, May 1, 2026. Today is Day 27 and Day 6 of Week 4 in our Count to Pentecost.  

In John 15 the Apostle John recorded that Jesus told His Disciples He had revealed to them many things about our Father and what the Father had said. Jesus no longer wanted His Disciples to consider themselves just His servants. Jesus announced that He intended to call them His friends. Our Lord wanted His Disciples to know what He was doing. Then, He mentioned one prerequisite.  They had to obey His commandments.  

John 15:14-15 (14) Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. (15) Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you. 

Something very similar occurred in the life of Abraham. God tried and tested Abraham to ensure that he would believe God and faithfully obey. Abraham past the tests and proved he would trust and believe God and live in a faithful and obedient manner. Now we refer to Abraham as the “Friend of God.” And, God revealed to Abraham many things He would be doing in the future (see  Acts 7).  

James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith; Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 

Acts 7:6-7 (6) And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years. (7) And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve Me in this place.  

Jesus now wants His True Disciples today to trust, believe, and obey His commandments. He wants to give us the honor of calling us His “Friends.”

Ben Faulkner, Pastor  
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