OUR NEED TO DEVELOPE A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD - Part Two
Last month we discussed the first two reasons why believers are not spending proper time with God. In this issue we present the remaining three points.
3. Boredom being distracted by any and everything.
Romans 15:5,6 "Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
NKJ 1 Corinthians 2:16 "For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ."
Ephesians 4:17-24 "This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man, which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness."
Boredom at times arises because of lack of knowledge, the inability to 'grasp' the information or the belief that the information is not important.
To this end, as believers, we must recognize we have been given the mind of Christ, that is, we can think the thoughts of God because we have the basic thoughts and principles of God laid out in His Word. We can think like Jesus and have the same results that He had as He followed the leading of the Spirit.
We can confidently 'grasp' all that the Word outlines because God will speak to us through Holy Spirit to illuminate the words of the Bible to our benefit. God is our Father, therefore He cares for us and WANTS us to fully understand His Word.
Distractions will be minimized as we accept our place and our position in HIS kingdom. Boredom will be something of the past as the believer allows God to 'touch' him or her. Worldly distractions become ineffectual as we realize the importance of the eternal.
4. No words left.
It has been said that praise is the language of love. Praise and worship form the foundation of our
response to our God's redemptive plan. We did not deserve to be in HIS kingdom but because of HIS love and the sacrifice of Jesus, we can now enjoy our salvation which should fill us with words of thanksgiving.
NKJ Job 23:12 "I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food."
NKJ Psalm 51:15 "O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise."
NKJ Psalm 119:171 "My lips shall utter praise, For You teach me Your statutes."
At times we are left with no words to speak because of our inability to fully communicate our appreciation for the plan of redemption. Knowledge of HIS awesome love and plan for us will fill our mouths with praise and worship.
At times even hearing others appreciate the Lord in word or song will inspire you to be involved in vocal adoration. Being with men and woman of worship will 'rub off' on you. Praising God and enjoying the worship experience is very contagious.
5. God never speaks
Some believers have not been lead by Holy Spirit and claim they never HEAR God. This view might be based on the simple misunderstanding of what it is to HEAR God.
God has already spoken through his Word, that is Genesis to Revelation, additionally God has spoken through His Son, Jesus Christ and finally Holy Spirit has inspired men and women to speak on God's behalf though the ages.
NKJ Exodus 5:2 "And Pharaoh said, 'Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go.'"
NKJ John 10:1-5 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 "But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 "To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 "And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 "Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."
Really the unbeliever can correctly say "how can I hear God?" or "God does not speak to me." On the other hand, the believer has no biblical ground to make such statements.
In fact, the Bible explains to us that Jesus knows HIS people and hears their voice, this would not surprise us as we know that God explained and demonstrated this throughout the Old Testament.
As believers we must believe and know that GOD will hear us as we speak HIS word to Him and He will answer us.
We need to face and defeat any obstacle that would stand in our way of developing a close relationship with our Father God.
Remember that GOD wants us to succeed and has given us all the tools to conquer in life.
As always, remember to confess the following aloud so that you can hear yourself saying it, "I'm believing to be in the right place at the right time saying the right thing and the right thing to say is the Word of God."