A couple of weeks before Christmas, as I was driving home one evening (dodging deer deciding to cross the road), the Lord strongly placed upon my heart that 2013 is going to be a year of an even deeper relationship with Him. Of course, that blessed my heart! YES, bring it on, for He is my passion in life! (I am the apple of His eye, ya know. And so are you.)
Jeremiah 29:13 “You will look for Me and find Me, when you look for Me with all your heart.”
God wants as intimate a relationship with each of us as we allow Him. Our relationship significantly changed seven years ago. Up until that point, I had the best companionship with my Heavenly Father that I had ever had. Then I was put in the position in which I learned extreme dependency upon Him. Enveloped in the circumstances and responsibilities of life, He is number One; top priority.
Amos 5:6 “Look for the Lord and live.”
The journey isn't always easy, as sometimes I want to be in the pilot's seat, or I don't "feel" God's presence when I want it. When I put the focus back on Him rather than the circumstances of life, things fit together, just as they should. There is no perfect relationship on earth, and we need to work at them. They rarely ever "just happen".
After the deer dodging drive, I immediately began working on the first aspect He revealed -- soak in His Word. Read. Study. Saturate in scripture. Delve into the Word with both eyes open and a receptive heart, and you leave a study session with a wealth of knowledge of the Father. Ginormous (spell check is having spasms) difference between reading His Word and studying and absorbing it. You can truly learn someone when you read a book about them.
Psalm 119:11 “Your Word have I hid in my heart, that I may not sin against You.”
Oh, how marvelous!
During that evening's drive, I was also reminded of other relationship builders I'll experience with God this year. A deeper and fuller prayer life . . . . yes, I see how a relationship can strengthen through communicating with someone, which does include speaking and listening.
Romans 12:23 “Be happy in your hope. Do not give up when trouble comes. Do not let anything stop you from praying.”
And continued obedience. That is an essential ingredient in the life of a Christian. Show the Father how much you love Him by obeying Him.
1 John 2:17 “The world and all its desires will pass away. But the man who obeys God and does what He wants done will have forever.”
Please don't mistake the busyness we have for God as a relationship with Him. It's great to serve, lead worship, teach, work in missions, etc. But don't let that take the place of an intimate relationship with Him. Take the time to show Him how much you love Him!
In my life, "religion" will never take over relationship. Relationship is vital. It's not an option, but a necessity.
Prayerfully, your sister in Him,
Robin
Jeremiah 29:13 “You will look for Me and find Me, when you look for Me with all your heart.”
God wants as intimate a relationship with each of us as we allow Him. Our relationship significantly changed seven years ago. Up until that point, I had the best companionship with my Heavenly Father that I had ever had. Then I was put in the position in which I learned extreme dependency upon Him. Enveloped in the circumstances and responsibilities of life, He is number One; top priority.
Amos 5:6 “Look for the Lord and live.”
The journey isn't always easy, as sometimes I want to be in the pilot's seat, or I don't "feel" God's presence when I want it. When I put the focus back on Him rather than the circumstances of life, things fit together, just as they should. There is no perfect relationship on earth, and we need to work at them. They rarely ever "just happen".
After the deer dodging drive, I immediately began working on the first aspect He revealed -- soak in His Word. Read. Study. Saturate in scripture. Delve into the Word with both eyes open and a receptive heart, and you leave a study session with a wealth of knowledge of the Father. Ginormous (spell check is having spasms) difference between reading His Word and studying and absorbing it. You can truly learn someone when you read a book about them.
Psalm 119:11 “Your Word have I hid in my heart, that I may not sin against You.”
Oh, how marvelous!
During that evening's drive, I was also reminded of other relationship builders I'll experience with God this year. A deeper and fuller prayer life . . . . yes, I see how a relationship can strengthen through communicating with someone, which does include speaking and listening.
Romans 12:23 “Be happy in your hope. Do not give up when trouble comes. Do not let anything stop you from praying.”
And continued obedience. That is an essential ingredient in the life of a Christian. Show the Father how much you love Him by obeying Him.
1 John 2:17 “The world and all its desires will pass away. But the man who obeys God and does what He wants done will have forever.”
Please don't mistake the busyness we have for God as a relationship with Him. It's great to serve, lead worship, teach, work in missions, etc. But don't let that take the place of an intimate relationship with Him. Take the time to show Him how much you love Him!
In my life, "religion" will never take over relationship. Relationship is vital. It's not an option, but a necessity.
Prayerfully, your sister in Him,
Robin
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