A Relationship with God

"If you have heard Jesus Christ's voice on the waves of the sea, you can let your convictions and your consistency take care of themselves by concentrating on maintaining your intimate relationship to Him." - J. Oswald Chambers

In all our church going, activity pursuing, evanglising, mission trip participating, I think that sometimes we lose sight of the fact that God desires a relationship with us.  A personal relationship.

Think back to the beginning: Adam, Eve, and God.  No church assembly.  No Bible studies or church fellowships.  No mission trips.  Now of course, you can argue that we have all the above because a) Adam and Eve sinned and caused thereby mankind to be out of fellowship with God and b) all the above are good - and some are even explicitly commanded.  I'm not denying that.  But I am saying that we need to remember that we have churches and Bible studies and mission trips in order to help us to have a personal relationship with God.

In fact, you can participate in each of those and NOT have a personal relationship with God.

So the question is, how is your personal relationship with God?  Do you have a personal relationship with God?

Do you talk to Him?   Not just a formulaic prayer.  Not just a "grocery list."  But real conversation.  Real talking.  Pouring out your heart and knowing that you are heard.  Intimate prayer.  The kind you don't want to share with anyone - not even your closest friend.

Does He talk to you?  Not in a mystical, vision appearing way.  But in a way that Scripture comes to your mind.  (note: you have to be familiar enough with Scripture for it to come to your mind)  In a way that throughout the day you are aware of His presence.

If you're not sure that you have a personal relationship with God, or you aren't sure how to have a personal relationship with God, here's how to start.

- The only way to have a personal relationship with God is through Jesus the Christ.  As 1 John 4:15 says, "Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God" (ESV).

- The way to draw closer to God is by spending time in His word.  God gave us the Bible so that we can know Him.  "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18 ESV).

"Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this."  (1 Timothy 4:16 ESV)