Do you ever just not feel like reading your bible? Does it sometimes seem like just one more thing to check off of your "to do" list?
Well, we sometimes go through that here too. In fact, my sweet hubby and I were just discussing it last night and God made some things clear to us.
I can read my bible non-stop, all day, every day and it will not give me a relationship with Him.
Yes, go ahead and read it again. I'll wait.
"Why?", you ask. Well, what is the condition of your heart towards God when you read it? Are you reading it to simply ease your conscience? Are you reading it to say that you have spent time with Him for the day? Or are you reading it because you already have a great relationship with Him and want to learn more about Him and spend quality time with Him?
Hmm....
You see if we don't have a healthy, living, breathing relationship with Him then those words are just that... words. What brings them to life and makes them life changing is the condition of the heart when they are received.
So Ryan and I began discussing how our relationships with God differ. I told him how I wake up in the morning and greet Him or how I actually will tell God that I didn't like the way I made the omelet this morning. He is getting pretty used to me telling Him that omelets are just better when they have some bacon in them. I thank Him during the day for chores that are accomplished or children who have behaved well. I ask Him to help when things aren't going all that great. He goes shopping with me and doesn't complain. I even tell Him all about color coordination when I am designing blogs. "Certain colors just go together really well, God." As if He didn't know that already. I also sense His loving hint of sarcasm as He leaves me a beautiful sunset to stare at that evening. I absolutely hear Him saying, "Yes, Amy certain colors go together very well, don't they?"
Ryan agreed that he wanted to have a new relationship with God in this way. We prayed and talked and laughed and we declared tomorrow Take Jesus to Work Day! That's right! Your renewed relationship with Him begins right now! Acknowledge God throughout the day. Welcome His presence. Spend the day with Him and come back and tell me about it. I want to hear how it goes!
btw... Ryan and I would love to have your prayer during these exciting and challenging times. We know that we are on the verge of God changes in our life and of course, our flesh and Satan doesn't want to see that happen. Please pray that we would develop a closer and more intimate relationship with God and that He would open doors for us to minister where He sees fit.
Well, we sometimes go through that here too. In fact, my sweet hubby and I were just discussing it last night and God made some things clear to us.
I can read my bible non-stop, all day, every day and it will not give me a relationship with Him.
Yes, go ahead and read it again. I'll wait.
"Why?", you ask. Well, what is the condition of your heart towards God when you read it? Are you reading it to simply ease your conscience? Are you reading it to say that you have spent time with Him for the day? Or are you reading it because you already have a great relationship with Him and want to learn more about Him and spend quality time with Him?
Hmm....
You see if we don't have a healthy, living, breathing relationship with Him then those words are just that... words. What brings them to life and makes them life changing is the condition of the heart when they are received.
“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn't have deep roots, they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
Matthew 13:3-9
So Ryan and I began discussing how our relationships with God differ. I told him how I wake up in the morning and greet Him or how I actually will tell God that I didn't like the way I made the omelet this morning. He is getting pretty used to me telling Him that omelets are just better when they have some bacon in them. I thank Him during the day for chores that are accomplished or children who have behaved well. I ask Him to help when things aren't going all that great. He goes shopping with me and doesn't complain. I even tell Him all about color coordination when I am designing blogs. "Certain colors just go together really well, God." As if He didn't know that already. I also sense His loving hint of sarcasm as He leaves me a beautiful sunset to stare at that evening. I absolutely hear Him saying, "Yes, Amy certain colors go together very well, don't they?"
Ryan agreed that he wanted to have a new relationship with God in this way. We prayed and talked and laughed and we declared tomorrow Take Jesus to Work Day! That's right! Your renewed relationship with Him begins right now! Acknowledge God throughout the day. Welcome His presence. Spend the day with Him and come back and tell me about it. I want to hear how it goes!
btw... Ryan and I would love to have your prayer during these exciting and challenging times. We know that we are on the verge of God changes in our life and of course, our flesh and Satan doesn't want to see that happen. Please pray that we would develop a closer and more intimate relationship with God and that He would open doors for us to minister where He sees fit.
Stumble it!
