Making It Personal "An Intimate Relationship with God"

Good Evening to All!

You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do.  (John 15:14 NIV)

I have know idea what this picture is but  I couldn't get past the statement, so that was my reason for choosing this specific photo.  There could not be a truer statement, or a more significant one for this day and age. 

 "If you can't hear God, turn off the world's volume."

I was going to go another direction with this, but in light of the troublesome times we are in, the sad state of the world, and how close we are  to the coming our our Lord, I thought it best to stress the importance of developing a personal relationship with God, and reminding ourselves that while our Salvation is a wonderful gift, He still expects us to love Him, and live for Him to have that Salvation.  Anyone can be "religious" but it takes a personal relationship with God to be saved, and stay saved. 

It is possible to fall from God's grace. It is possible to harden our hearts to the point that we don't hear God's loving, still, small voice anymore.   All it takes is to quit listening for it, to start doing what WE think is right rather than what God wants.  The more we do that,  the further away His voice becomes. So let's get to studying, saying our prayers and talking to God just as though He is sitting at our dining table having coffee with us like any other friend, and develop that Intimate, Personal Relationship with Him.
 
The following is an article which I wrote some time ago for Associated Content before they changed to Yahoo Voices.  
 
An Intimate Relationship with God
   
It is so important for each individual person to have that special, intimate relationship with God for our Salvation. Not just because it will help us to get through our troubles, our saddest moods, or darkest hours, but also being able to feel the joy of knowing that He loves us so much and all He asks in return is that we love Him enough to trust Him and do His will. Our Salvation should be the "cornerstone" of our being, as it determines where we will spend our lives in eternity.

In my last article, titled "Salvation or Misconceptions" I wrote about what you might call the "prerequisites" of Salvation,  although I consider Acts 2:38 to be one of the most important scriptures in the Bible.

The reason I say this is because those 3 steps Begin the process of "being saved". From the accomplishment of those steps, it is a life-time journey and a life full of choices we must make as to whether we are going to live for God or not. These constant choices will determine whether or not we will stay in line with God's will and be saved.

Not only are we to repent, be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit, but we are to live our lives for God. This is where that "special" relationship comes into being. The more we get to know Him, the closer we will feel to Him and the easier it will be to live according to His will. 
It is not in the "human nature" to make sacrifices, especially to or for something or someone we cannot see or feel in a tangible manner. This is the reason to grow into this special relationship with Him.

We are to show people His love through our love and consideration of others. He wants us to be "doers" of His Word and not just "hearers", putting His words into actions. He placed us here to do just that. The Bible says, (1) And the King will answer and say to them,  Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'

God wants a two-way relationship with us. He loves us so much that He died for us and all He asks in return is that we love Him also. When you love your spouse you would do anything for them, you talk to them, and you are constantly getting to know them better and better each day. The same applies to God.  To love Him, we must get to know Him by reading and studying His Word, as this is where we find His characteristics, His desires, and His expectations for us. To love Him means to pray to Him. He wants us to pray without ceasing. We should continually lift Him up by our godly actions, speech, and attitudes. Also He wants us to need Him; to ask Him for things.  (2)  And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

We must show our faith in Him, and things will come to pass for we cannot please God without faith. (3) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who
comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

People have said "I don't know how to pray". In God's Word, it states that  (4) there is a friend (Jesus) who sticks closer than a brother. It calls Him our "friend". Why then do people have trouble "talking" to God? If He is our friend, why can't we speak to Him like one in a regular conversation? It has been done many a time and gotten results just like when our petitions  are spoken in the format of "dear Father", or Our Father who art in Heaven.  As long as you talk to Him it doesn't matter how you say it.  Our prayers, and our praise toward Him can make the difference in our relationship with Him. 

The song "Unanswered Prayers" comes to mind. There is no such thing. He ALWAYS answers prayers. The trouble with people is if they don't see positive or tangible results, they tend to believe He isn't answering. He is. It might just be No, or Wait, it's not time yet. We have to remember, with God, there is no beginning and no end. He sees the past, He is in the present, and He sees the future. He always knows what is best for us because He knows where we came from, where we are and where we're going.

Whatever the case, you will get answers whether they are the answers you are expecting or not.  If you think about the content of this article and maybe even implement some of what has been brought to light within the last article and this one, you will have a richer walk with God and if you notice a BIG difference within your spirit. Take "baby steps". 

Even God says babies have to drink milk before they can eat meat. You have to start out small and work your way up. Our God is so vast that a person could study their whole life and still not know everything about God. It is not meant for us to know everything.

It is hoped that you have been given some "food for thought", and that you enjoyed the meal. Receive many blessings from this article.

References: The New King James Version Holy Bible
(1) Matthew 25:40
(2) Philippians 4:19
(3) Hebrews 11:6
(4) Proverbs 18:24

Good Night to All and May God Bless!