Getting Personal

Good Morning Everyone!

As promised, I am going to try and get "last night's blog post re-done.

Ye are My friends if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth, I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. (John 15:14-15 KJV)

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Jesus is telling us He wants to have a personal relationship. One of true intimacy, but that is a two-way street. According to His Word, He says, "if you love me, you will keep my commandments". This brings to mind where Jesus is talking to this man who asks Him "what must he do to have eternal life". Jesus told him to follow the commandments, (paraphrasing), which he said he had done from his youth. Jesus, looking at him lovingly said one thing he lacked. He told him to go sell whatever he had and give it to the poor, because he will have treasures in heaven, then take up the cross and follow Him. The man walked away, saddened. He took his possessions over following Jesus. This man didn't have the Bible to live by. He didn't know what Paul said in Philippians 4:19 , "My God shall supply All your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. This man couldn't understand that he didn't NEED all his STUFF because God would take care of him. We know this, yet we still "hang on" to stuff.

I wonder how many of us are like that to an extent. Yes, we say we love Jesus, but if He came up to us and asked that of us, how many of us would be "that man"? I don't know that Jesus would actually ask that of us, but the point I am trying to make is that He thought enough of us to die on the Cross, and we moan because we have to sacrifice a little? That sounds like a one-sided friendship to me. His friendship and love are UNCONDITIONAL, yet ours is So Conditional. "I'll go to church if I've got time". "I'm too tired to stand up and worship". I need this 5 dollars to buy cokes, I'll double up on my tithes next week. (Never happens).

Jesus is a friend which sticketh closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24) Don't we owe Him the same?

We need to get serious about an Intimate Relationship with God, not just be an acquaintance, or a "friend" when it suits us.

God is so Good to us. Look at some of the promises He makes to us. John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 15:7 I ye abide in Me and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Now this verse sounds as though there are conditions set. In other words there is a cause and reaction type of thing going on. According to the verse, IF you read and study the word (the only way to get God's Word to abide in your heart, and live for God) THEN you can ask anything in His Name and it will be done. The thing about that is, once your start doing this, the more you will receive the fruits of the spirit which are love, joy, peace, long-suffering (patience), gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance, against there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23). These are the best "gifts" anyone could ever receive. Can you imagine how much richer your life would be with these personality traits? We can receive these promises and more if we will just live for God. Love Him like we want to be loved. Treat Him with the same or (More) respect than we would treat our earthly friends. Man will let you down at one time or another. God Will NOT.

He is not just "some being" out there hanging around watching to see what happens. He is watching over us because He loves us. He is interested in everything we do and say. We are made in His image, we are His namesakes. We are co-heirs to His kingdom. Why would He not take an interest in our everyday lives?

I ask you. The latter days are here. His time is drawing nigh. Will you "re-evaluate your relationship with God? If you remember nothing else in this post, remember that a TRUE FRIENDSHIP is a two way street. God will do more things for you than you can imagine, if you will step out and show Him you truly care about Him. Talk to Him. You don't have to say some elaborate prayer. God hears everything you say. Talk to Him just like you would a friend sitting in your living room, or riding in your car. Ask Him for help. He loves to feel needed, but you must ask Him. He won't interfere. He needs to be invited. Follow His commandments and live for Him. Remember the order of priority. God FIRST, Family SECOND, and everything else last. If you go by these priorities, your life will be smoother. Notice, I didn't say a bed of roses. (I have never understood that saying, roses are thorny)! Anyway, He never said life would be easy, but He will help us through anything we come upon if we will ask Him.

Have a Blessed Day!