" Our Relatioship With God"

33 Lord, teach me your demands, and I will keep them

until the end.  34 Help me understand, so I can keep your

teachings, obeying them with all my heart.  35 Lead me in

the path of your commands, because that makes me happy.

36 Make me want to keep your rules instead of wishing

 for riches.  37 Keep me from looking at worthless things. 

Let me live by your word.  38 Keep your promise to me,

 your servant, so you will be respected.  39 Take

away the shame I fear, because your laws are good.  

40 How I want to follow your orders.  Give me life

because of your goodness.  PSALM 119: 33 -40 (NCV)

By trusting Christ, a person enters into a lifelong relationship with the heavenly Father. As believers, we have a responsibility to keep that connection healthy.

First, we must learn about our new family. An essential and on-going part of family life involves knowing and being known by the other members. In the Bible, God gave a detailed description of His attributes, values, and thinking. And since Jesus came to earth, we can better understand divine character, which was demonstrated in a human life. As we meditate on Scripture, our sense of connectedness to our triune God will grow.

Second, we should stay in close contact with God through prayer and study of His Word—and resist the temptation to put people, work, or pleasures ahead of Him. Remember: Relationships thrive with consistent interaction but wither if neglected.

Third, we are to respond to what He has communicated. He provided instructions for living and explained what pleases Him. In healthy families, people pay attention to each other. We need to heed our Father’s warnings and obey His commands.

Finally, we must grow in likeness to God. Relatives can resemble each other in subtle and obvious ways. As we cooperate with the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, we will start to think and act like our Father.

God the Father provided salvation through His Son, who died so we could become spiritually alive. Jesus set an example for us to follow: a life of loving, obedient service. God’s Spirit is doing His sanctifying work in us (1 Peter 1:2). Are we doing our part to keep the relationship healthy?
 
**From Pastor Charles Stanley**
Be Blessed & Be Blessing to One Another!
 
Dawn