Communion with God

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#877 God’s Response to Spiritual Concerns – Ineffective or No Prayer Life, continued

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we have observed what God’s expects us to avoid when praying, we begin to realize how He wishes us to pray.  Instead of praying long, loud, and repetitiously to be noticed, we are to pray secretly, humbly, and from the heart.  God expects us to spend time with Him in private communion and devotion, but there may be times when we are called upon in church to pray or are participating in a corporate prayer service.  The prayer should be from the heart and not intentionally loud or long in order to gain attention.  Likewise, churches often pray the Lord’s Prayer in their services, and rightfully so; however, we are to pray it from the heart, not just repeating the words.  As we continue Monday, we will see other ways that honor God when we are communing with Him.

Is your prayer life humble and honoring to the Lord?

“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”   (Matthew 6:6)

May God Richly Bless You Today

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#871 God’s Response to Spiritual Concerns – Ineffective or No Prayer Life

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As Christians we have one of the greatest privileges available, that of communing with our Heavenly Father through prayer.  An unknown person once gave one of the best words of advice ever when it was said that “the best way to learn how to pray is simply to start praying.”  That may be true, but it is not always easy for Christians, especially new Christians, to just bow their head and begin praying.  God understands that praying may be a serious spiritual concern to some; therefore, He has responded by giving numerous guidelines in His Word that can ease their mind.  There are numerous examples in the Old Testament of prayers that can be read and followed; however, Jesus Christ has given us specific guidance in the New Testament.  Even if we have been praying for years, we can receive a blessing from these guidelines as well as an enriched prayer life.

Examine your prayer life!  Can you say you have an enriched prayer life or could it be considered a spiritual concern?

“Pray without ceasing.”   (I Thessalonians 5:17)

May God Richly Bless You Today

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#868 God’s Response to Spiritual Concerns – Needing God’s Direction, continued

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we look at the direction Solomon received from the LORD, the first thing we notice is that he communed directly with Him.  Although his communication with God was initiated by God through a dream, Solomon felt free and comfortable to directly ask God for his need.  We communicate with God through going to Him in prayer.  Our initiating the prayer does not mean the Lord listens and answers us any less; He is always ready to hear our requests and give us direction as needed if only we will ask in faith believing He will answer.  What makes it even easier to approach God is that, just like with Solomon, He asks us what we need even before we make the request.[1]  If He has already said to us in essence, “Ask what I shall give thee,” why would we hesitate to ask Him for His direction for our life?  Our need is God’s opportunity to show us His lordship in our life.

Even though you may need God’s direction in your life, have you gone to Him requesting it of Him?

“In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night:  and God said, ‘Ask what I shall give thee.’”   (I Kings 3:5)

May God Richly Bless You Today

 

[1] James 4:2

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#598 Deeper Christian Life – Living the Deeper Christian Life

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

For the previous few days we have been looking at a few of the characteristics of what it takes to have a deeper life in Christ:  constant communion with God, full commitment to God, guidance of the Holy Spirit, knowledge of God’s will, a strong foundation, undivided loyalty to God, and an in-depth dedication to God.  As we exhibit these traits we will find that the deeper Christian life will be evidenced in further ways that will be pleasing to our Lord.  We will enjoy a relationship and fellowship with God that will be pleasing not only to Him but also to us, one in which our Christian walk will be so close to Him as to have everyone with whom we come in contact know beyond a doubt we are a follower of God.  Additionally, we will be eager to tell others about the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and what He has done in our lives, seeing results for the Lord as He blesses our ministry for Him.  These outward evidences will be joined with a daily increase in knowledge of God and His Word, allowing us to continue to mature spiritually and grow more Christlike.  What a blessed privilege it is to live the deeper Christian life.

As you look at your life, can you say you enjoy such a close relationship and fellowship with God that those around you and with whom you come in contact know you are a Christian?

“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.”   (Colossians 1:10)

May God Richly Bless You Today

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#591 Deeper Christian Life – Constant Communion with God

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

There are many people today who call themselves “Christian” who do not live a life that would indicate their true relationship with God.  Genuine Christians, those who have accepted by faith the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, are going to have a desire to have a deeper life with the Lord, to be fully committed and have constant communion and fellowship with Him.  We have this communion with the Lord when we take pleasure in His Word, making it a habit and taking the time to read, study, and obey it; spending time in fellowship with God in prayer, giving Him praise and glory while presenting our prayers and petitions to Him; and continually worshipping Him, not just at a local congregation but also during our daily lives.  This does not mean we neglect our work and family responsibilities as we fulfill those responsibilities as unto the Lord; it does mean we spend leisure and free time growing and maturing in the Christian walk by means of the constant communion with Him. 

Does your communion with God reflect a deeper life with and in Him?

“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.”   (Psalm 1:2)

May God Richly Bless You Today