Our relationship with God is
one that requires constant maintenance; constant awareness; and must be a part
of our daily living. We need to have some sort of daily time with God. Whether
that time is in study, prayer, devotionals, meditating, or whatever, it is
important that we take the time and make the time to do it.
Whether it is our spiritual area, our
family area, our physical health area, or any of the eight, we all know people
who are gonna do this and gonna do that…But, this gets in the way; and that
happened; the time wasn’t right; and there is always a reason why they didn’t
accomplish what they “intended” to do.
That’s exactly what this series is about! Purposely, or intentionally doing those
things and not allowing “this” or “that” to control our lives.Jesus’ words in Mark 12:31—“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength….[and] Love your neighbor as yourself.” Are the types of things that we could write on a piece of paper and then list an endless list of ways to do just that. But, as with all eight areas of life, unless we make an intentional plan…a spiritual “time budget”…we will not do much of anything toward loving God or our neighbor. It will just be another one of those things we “intended” to do and didn’t. “If we always do what we have always done; we will always get what we have always got!
First on our list must be Prayer. We can’t have a relationship with someone we never talk to! Many marriage relationships are not what they should be or can be, because people don’t talk to each other enough. Spending daily time in prayer must become a priority. How about, keeping a personal prayer journal containing all types of prayers; petitions; requests; thanksgiving; and intercession; and highlighting answered prayer as we see God working.
Along that same vein may be time in a daily devotional…and meditating on the Word. Another thing on our list might be a way in which we can serve God in the church by using our talents and gifts. Or how about - loving our neighbor by intentionally sharing our faith and inviting them over for a meal…or even inviting them to church? (Now that’s a novel idea!) You may ask, “What does this have to do with improving my spiritual area of life?” It must begin with “Love the Lord your God…and your neighbor as yourself”.
If we truly want to draw closer to God in our spiritual life, then we will intentionally discipline ourselves accordingly. The more time we spend with God and loving and serving one another, the better our spiritual relationships will be.
Remember, the UNintentional life has no purpose, no discipline, and ultimately…no results! We need to ask ourselves; “What is the result of what I have been doing up till now?” If it’s not working, then we need to intentionally make a change.
Time is the biggest factor to be disciplined in our relationship with God. Time for prayer; time for the Word; time for church. We all get 7 days…We all get 168 hours a week. We have to choose how we spend that time. Our wills must be disciplined or someone or something else will choose for us. When it comes to time, I can tell you this; If we make time, it will take time. In other words none of the changes we make in each area of our life is going to happen over-night. However, if we make the time, and discipline ourselves, it will soon become a habit….and we will see results; results that will change our lives from this day on!
I said that God is concerned with every area of our lives…but he is most concerned with this one; our relationship with Him. He desires for our will to be in line with His will and for us to intentionally live the life he has planned for us; a full, happy, abundant, stress-free life.
He wants me to love him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, and He wants this to be displayed in practical ways in my everyday life. He wants me to love and treat others as I would hope to be treated. And, he wants this also to be displayed in practical ways in my everyday life. The best thing I can do to help my relationship with God…is to Have one!
Make the time to get to know God on a daily basis…Read the Bible - Get a version you can really understand; there are no anointed versions. Pray—just talk to God--Tell God how you feel. Ask God to let his will be done in your life. Ask God to meet your needs. Ask Him to forgive your sin. Ask Him to help you fight temptation. Tell him when you are angry, tell him when you are happy, tell him when you are disappointed or you don’t understand. You can’t tell God anything He doesn’t already know! He just wants to spend time with you. Put a better relationship with God at the top of your priority list.
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