Post by humble angel on Aug 9, 2009 23:18:00 GMT -5
Brothers and sisters,
We all have a different level of a spiritual relationship with the Lord. Each one as personal and individual as we are. None of us are the same because our personalities are not the same. But that in no way means that just because our levels and depths of faith in our walk with the Lord may differ from others, that God loves one of us more or deeper that another.
We get out of are relationship with the Lord what we are willing to put into it daily. If you only make time for God part of the time. you will not experience that spiritual high throughout your day that you would feel, if you were to put much more of an effort into your personal relationship with the Lord.
What does God say...
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Revelation 3:15-16 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Point to ponder...
Just like a good soaking in a hot tub of water. When you sit in that hot bath, it opens up your blood vessels and gets your blood moving more swiftly. So when you turn up your efforts in your relationship with the Lord, things move in your life more efficiently and to completion, thus lifting you up spiritually. From the inside out, you will feel as if you are floating, you are lighter than air. This is what is reflective of a spiritual high.
This spiritual high will not destroy brain cells, or give you a hangover the next day. It has no destructive side effects the way drugs and alcohol does, and it will not cut your life short. God tells us not to abuse our bodies... for those who abuse themselves will not inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
But this spiritual high we get from an on going continued relationship with the Lord will extend our lives, which includes our being obedient to the Lord.
For example...
Proverbs 3:1-2 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
Deuteronomy 5:16 Honor thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Application part...
1. In order for us to grow with the Lord in our relationship with Him, we must obey Him.
2. When He speaks to our heart, we must do what He tells us to do, even if we don't understand completely. It's all about trusting in Him.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
3. I've heard people say..." How do you know it's God talking to you and not satan?" When you grow with the Lord and work daily on that relationship with Him, you will always be able to recognize it is He who is talking to You and moving through you.
4. Remember John on the island of Patmos? John was sent there to prison, yet his faith never wavered. He saw no one else during his time there, yet still was able to write the books we now have in the KJV Bible as God instructed him to do. His living conditions were deplorable, yet his relationship with the Lord continued to grow and grow. Because he wanted that close knit relationship and put forth the effort needed to get it and hold onto it.
Revelation 1:9-10 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
5. He had no calendar to know what day it was, yet he still knew when the Lord's day was to keep holy.
6. We too can have such a relationship with the Lord. What amount of effort are we willing to put forth to achieve it and hold onto it the way John did all the way until his death?
Let us pray...
Father,
I do not covet the relationship you have with John, but I do want to use it as a witness for me to grow closer to You. I need to take a spiritual inventory as well as inventory of all I have, and rid myself of the things that hold me back from moving my feet closer to You. I have only myself to blame for me not being in life today, where You know I should be and want me to be in You. I ask that You use me for Your glory as I begin to remove the binding weights from my feet, so I can continue my walk with You,flowing forward constantly, until that glorious day when You call me Home. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen!
God bless you always
Carol
2 Corinthians 6:17-18 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
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thanks sis,
dee