Recently in blogging, I was reminded of the fundamental importance of maintaining a close relationship with God in Jesus. What I mean here in particular is the importance of us each individually seeking God, drawing near to God- in prayer and in the reading of God's word. I'm once again thankful for the fellowship I experience in blogging and how that helps me get or keep on track better, in my walk in Jesus.
This is so important that we seek to have a vital time and ongoing walk with God, and this takes time, space (solitude) and silence before God. Then we must seek to live in that grace in Jesus throughout our day. Of course thankfully, God will be at work in us so that we do want this communion and new way in Jesus in our lives, and will be content with nothing less.
Relationship with God must be first in priority and import to us. But from that can flow healthy relationships with others, particularly those in Jesus as well as all our neighbors which we are called to love as we love ourselves.
It is so easy to be in a hurry to get on with our "real" life in this world, to the neglect of our special time in the word and in prayer to God. I find that true for myself. But this needs to become and be the normal practice for us: an unhurried regular time with God. And then from that, again, seeking to live in that fellowship in all our hours to follow. Of course life ebbs and flows for so many reasons. So we will ever have to be seeking to renew our lives with God in Jesus throughout the day. As we seek to draw near to God, God promises to draw near to us.
I must not forget that in my quest for community inherent in God as Trinity, that I remember first things first, and what makes this all possible: the life of God as Trinity, God as a relational Being, for us in the grace of God found in Jesus Christ. And from that we live and move in Jesus, by ourselves and with each other in this world.
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10 comments:
i agree with what you say here.
going to God, the source of Love and our need, is required for us to be able go into the world with something to give. our armor and the Love and Light. the armor and wepons and power. to consider wepons to be Love and Light and walking in the Spirit is wonderful way to fight a war. to always see that we are speaking of a spiritual power and life that we are living in this world is so awsome. it is a large and awsome thing and must be continually lived out in a balance of relationship in spirit and relating to other people in spirit and truth. our relationship to and with others is only as good as what we have to give...and what we have to give is only as good as our relationship with our God our source. Praise Be To God! Where we go God is already there, preparing the way, and we follow Jesus through the HOly Spirit where He leads us. to follow, we must be in relationship. our relationship with God is the ultimate need, and the reason is to be able to share God with the world, in community and outside of community as well. God is Love is awsome! it is like a circle of our life in God.
Great post brother.
Keep it up.
I totally agree with your points.
Nancy,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us on this.
Light and love are to themes that are big with John in those writings (gospel of John and 1 John). Having to do with just what you say.
Thanks for your continual encouragement, Preacherman. You remind me so much of a pastor I once knew, Bill Hesse of the Missionary Church denomination (much like the Christian & Missionary Alliance). He was/is a Barnabas risen from the dead, a very good man, a pastor of pastors.
Thanks again, and blessings on you, yours and on your ministry.
The amazing aspect of God is that he is so BIG... so incomprehensible and yet he is known through the face of Jesus.
Paul,
Yes. Amen.
Ted:
Thanks for this post. You hit me where I live.
There are times when I get to the end of the week, where I have wondered whether I have spent so much time in ministry, that I have neglected my relationship with Christ. And when that happens, I wonder if I have really been in ministry at all.
Difficult words, but good words. Thanks!
well said!
Allan, I know all too well what you mean there. I guess Spurgeon comes to mind as a person who always seemed to be breathing prayer and living in God's presence as he went from one task to another, like you teaching in a school as well as all the preaching and surely pastoring he did.
Thanks, Susan. And thanks for spurring me to do this post/subject in the first place.
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