Created To Be God's Friend: How God Shapes Those He Loves

Biblical Legacy Series

by Henry T. Blackaby

God called Abraham to be His friend. Henry Blackaby uses the example set by Abraham to show how God uses difficult events, traumatic circumstances, and trying life experiences to lead us to spiritual maturity. Readers will learn how God interacts with His people to transform them into men and women He can call friends. From the first time we respond to Gods Spirit in our lives through the choices that help us develop a worthy character, Abrahams story shows us how we can be transformed and become friends of God.

Genres: Christian Living, Christian, Nonfiction, Religion, Audiobook

224 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1999

Reviews

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

so far....
What God unfolds in time, began in eternity (p. 6)
What God initiates, He completes! (throughout)
Without God, hopelessness sets in (p. 8
only what is done in God will last (p. 8)
To have urgency will bring a willingness to obey God quickly (p. 8)
Abraham's response to God is what God wants from us....a walk of absolute faith and obedience (p. 12)
"I am the Lord......to give you..." (p15, Gen 15:7)
The Lord has sought for HImself a man after His own heart" (1 Sam. 13:14)
...when God saves a person, He has something in mind (p. 18)
Paul...urged..believers to let the fullest possible purpose of God work into every area of their lives (P. 18)
There is no question that God took the initiative in Abram's life. And Abrahm's response was immediate, thorough, and full of faith (p. 23).
..when God takes the initiative, He brings to completion all that is on His heart (p. 21)

[Evan Steele · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

I was encouraged to read this book along with a friend, and was very interested in doing so because the topic is lovely and the author's most famous work "Experiencing God" is on my Want to Read list. However, I was very disappointed in the book. It's not objectively terrible. Blackaby majors on the experiential and takes liberties with reading his experiences into the Biblical text, but never in a heretical sort of way. My fault with the book is probably that it seemed too personal. Blackaby seems to be looking to the text for explanations and confirmations for how his life has gone.

The author tends to work through issues like this: here is what happened to Abraham, here is what happened to me, here is the pattern I see, this must be how God usually operates. And too often, I felt he was off in his assessment, forcing an idea into the text or just not making a compelling case. Blackaby tells many stories about his own life, the life of his kids, and the work of the Lord in Canada. I'm sure reading these Abrahamic stories are very meaningful for him but not enough of the how and why came out.

The book is not without its good concepts. Ideas about God as the initiator of our friendship, God's desire to shape our character to be better friends, and how our responses to those things affects our character and our peace. The idea of God being knowable, how faith shapes us, how important obedience is, these ideas are lovely but they all come through as half baked ideas or good ideas without muscle and bones to put them into action.

Overall, the book leans very heavy on the experiential, but for my money it comes up far short of some of the better experiential books I've read. If someone was looking for an experiential book I would recommend Fresh Wind Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala, and tell them to skip this one. I am still interested in going through his Experiencing God book that I have seen recommended many times. This one, fell short.

[Jonathan Schut · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were points in this book when I really thought the author was about to nail a particular issue, then he went another direction. He certainly places important emphasis on the "obedience of faith" that Paul explains in Romans. However, in the midst of Blackaby's emphasis on obedience, there are several points where he seems to forget grace. Grace is a fundamental element of the formula in becoming God's friend, and I found it notably absent in this book.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of this went further than my current walk is, which made it hard to connect with Abram's lifeline. Like I haven't gone through the transition from Abram to Abraham. Frankly, if it has to be losing time with my parents in their latter years and moving to another place to follow God completely, as Henry did, I don't think I would wholeheartedly say YES.

[Jessica wasfy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness ' And he was called the friend of God. And you can, too.
His invitation is open. But it is a choice of the heart.
Choose Him and choose life!

[Darcy Schock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has great thoughts. It was a book you had to ponder, vs an easier read. There were a few thoughts that may be easy to take out of context if read in a narrow view instead of keeping the entire Bible in the back of your mind.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some good insights, and the points Blackaby makes are worthy of reflection. Overall I did not find it quite as good as his earlier Experiencing God.

[Stacie Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I love all of Henry Blackaby’s books. He did a great job going through the story of Abraham and pointing out examples in scripture to follow. I would definitely recommend this book!

[Jean Maurice M. Prosper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend of God

This is the best ebook I read so far on the life of Abraham. The teaching and preaching found in there are great revelation that has for effect to draw you more to god and imitate Abraham in his walk of faith.

[Brent MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry Blackaby won't awe you with poetic language, or sophisticated metaphors. His stories (while he shares some) won't coddle you with the warmth of a fireside chat. But what Blackaby delivers over and over again, sometimes so abruptly it catches you off-balance, are fresh and unapologetic calls to genuine Christianity. One of the true prophetic voices of this generation. "Created to be God's Friend" is a poignant reminder of our vast potential in Jesus Christ, and a challenge to pursue it, even as we are pursued by God.

[Kari Scare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abraham's growth of faith provides a pattern for us all to follow. His pattern of immediate & complete obedience sets a tremendous example, showing us how to also have God say, "You are my friend." Blackaby does a good job of teaching these truths through the life of Abraham. A great book to use as a Bible study individually or with a group.

[Reggie Rossignol · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. I Like Blackaby. The study made me think a lot. Ironically, I was going through some big changes during the course of the study. It always surprises me the way that the Lord can make every word so timely.

I felt like the end of the book kind of left you hanging, like it didn't close properly. It was ok though.

[Ken Peters · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a few ways in which the contents of this book seemed to speak directly to my situation, and felt like the word of the Lord to me. And yet there were also too many ways in which this book just seemed very average, and even hurried and shallow in how breezily Blackaby seemed to simplify aspects or applications of Abraham’s story. Overall, this book was a disappointment.

[George Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book for understanding the ways of God concerning how He develops us, His friends. Insightful, but not a page-turner. If you are struggling with why you are not where you want to be in life--this book would be an eye opener.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing really new here. "Emulate Abraham, a man who consistently expressed faith in quick obedience" pretty much sums up every chapter. A good message to be sure, but not delivered in a particularly compelling fashion.

[Amynona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Easy to read. helped me.

[Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book of faith and obedience based on Abraham's life.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!