Three Steps to Connect with God

1) Have a relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. People get hung up on religion, but knowing God is all about relationship. Jesus came to earth as a man and died in my place (and yours) on the cross, because I am a sinner. Being a sinner means I’ve missed the mark. If you’ve broken one of the 10 commandments, you’ve probably broken all of them, even in just your thoughts. Jesus said what a man thinks, he does in his heart. "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man." (Mt. 5:19-20)

Tough to hear, but I’m right there with you. Jesus bridged the gap by becoming the ultimate perfect and holy sacrifice to wash away our sins and rising from the dead, He showed He has ultimate power over life and death. 

Recognize you’re a sinner and ask for God’s forgiveness. Receive His gift of grace, that only Jesus can give—forgiveness and salvation, which He paid for. 

That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:7-10)

2) Read the Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. The Bible is God’s word given to man. This holy book is God’s side of the conversation and how He communicates with us. Do you need comfort? Read Psalms. Psalms 23 and 103 are good places to start. Do you want to understand the historical and spiritual origins of humankind? How religion/relationship began? Read Genesis. Do you want to better understand who Jesus is and the salvation He brings? Read the Gospel of John. Do you want to learn more about humankind’s destiny? Read Revelation.

Any or all of these books are the proverbial tip of the iceberg. There are 66 books in total, filled with His story, covering the full spectrum of life.

3) Spend time in prayer. Talking to the Lord is our half of the conversation. “Why?” do you ask, if God knows my thoughts, do I need to pray? Parents of young children know what they need and often what they want, but there’s nothing sweeter than hearing these things they wish to confide. The Lord, as well, wants us to come to Him, realizing He is what we need. We are strengthened by our prayers. He inhabits our praises!

Deciding to receiving the Lord into your life, by His grace, is inarguably the most important decision you will ever make—it’s a decision for eternity. He’s always there for you. As in any relationship, we must converse: listen and communicate to maintain our closeness. Will you make a move to connect with God? He’s waiting!

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:9-13)

Saturday Spiritual Uplift - Staying Close

Staying Close

As I started reading Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young, all over again on January 1rst, I was struck by her candid sharing in her Introduction. She spoke of times when she felt Christ’s presence. This gave me a sense of longing. Somehow in the busyness of the holiday season and changing my routine, I found it harder to spend time alone with the Lord and really listen each day.

"Kittens spooning" from Wikimedia Commons
by Eli Duke

When my oldest son, Matthew, was an infant, he greeted me with smiles and jabbering first thing in the morning. When he was big enough to stand by the railing of the crib, he would reach his arms out to me. I would pick him up and change his diaper. Then we would settle down, so he could nurse, happily content. The nearness and warmth of my chubby baby and the fact that I could quench his hunger and give him a sense of security, made me happy.

I suspect that maternal instinct in me may be what makes me say, “Aww,” at the sight of a photograph of puppies or kittens snuggled up with one another, or with their mamas. Perhaps the positive experience I had with my own mother, knowing I could go to her when I needed a hug, makes me feel that way. Or maybe it's just the universal need humans have for love and acceptance.

When I was going through a difficult family time years ago, with no answers in sight, I would picture myself like a little child, sitting on Jesus’ lap and being held. That thought gave me the sense of security I needed at the time. And now, when I read my Bible and talk to Him, I ask the Lord to speak to me through his word and I wait for that clear sense of His direction. But it’s not always easy. Often it’s so difficult to quiet my heart and not jump ahead and worry about the day’s upcoming tasks. Yet Jesus is always there, waiting for me to return, whether I deserve it or not. Unlike a human parent, He is never too tired to nourish us with His word or hold us close and He wants to share His love and wisdom to light the way for us.

By Károly Brocky (1807-1855)
[Public domain], via
Wikimedia Commons
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t’s a New Year and time for me to start sitting quietly with the Lord each day, whether for 15 minutes or an hour, it’s the best way to be refreshed and carry on with the tasks He’s given me.

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. (Psalm 91:4, NLT)

Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. (Luke 18:16, NLT)

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. (I John 2:1, NLT)