RELATIONSHIP

You probably have tons of relationships, perhaps with friends, a spouse, your child(ren), family members, distant or near by, co-worker(s), neighbor(s), church members, club members, pen pals, a favorite waite person, or store clerk, doctor,mechanic, whoever, famous or infamous, what have you, but some sort of connection in which a communication of some type takes place. I have many favs, especially in the food lion I shop at and the family dollar  I frequent. These people seem to go above the call to assist you or help in any way, and talking to them is such a pleasant thing, having so many things in common and many of the same cares and such. I think that this can be classified as having a relationship, albeit brief, but relationship nonetheless.  I would go as far to say that I choose their place of biz because of the great customer service and pleasant, positive attitude these people display. Communication is such and important part of a successful relationship no matter what type of relationship it is.  Jesus Christ made that  so clear in many ways and I want to discuss a few.  During His earthly ministry, He was constantly talking about how things are in the Kingdom of GOD, or the Kingdom of Heaven and although many times He used parables, we can agree that He talked. To anyone an all who had an ear (heart) to hear Him. Many people talked back to Him with questions they wanted answers for, requests for healings, or to simply be in His Presence (Praise GOD). Even little children wanted to talk to Him or be with Him. Talking to God is what HE wants from us. Time spent with HIM, communicating with HIM,  is what THE CREATOR  of the universe desires from us. We do this communicating thing so well with the people in our lives and those we come across, yet when it comes to time with our GOD and  FATHER it becomes difficult. John 15 is where I will start to help make a point that Jesus made. Here HE stated it so clearly an a number of times that we are to remain or abide in HIM. Depending on which translation you choose, He says 9  or 10 times to stay in HIM for many great things to occur in your life and devastation if the choice is made to not remain in HIM. I will use KJV and NLT to feast on. Verse 1-3, Jesus tells us who HE is and who the FATHER is and His analogy is to gardening and the maintainence it takes to keep a garden healthy. He uses terms like cutting and pruning all in an effort to bring about a production of fruit. Jesus being the TRUE GRAPEVINE, and we are branches connected to this VINE.His message (THE WORD OF GOD) has caused us to be purified or pruned. He tells us how important it is to  REMAIN or ABIDE in HIM in verses 4-11. We cannot be fruitful without HIM, don't become detached (severed). Much fruit is produced as the branches stay attached to the VINE, and keeping the VINE attached to the branch is also important. Jesus will never leave or forsake us on HIS own.  We have the ability to quiet HIS leading or shut HIM out ourselves. Why on earth would anyone choose to do such a thing is beyond me, however verse 6 is there for a reason.  It states what happens to those who chooses to not remain or abide in HIM. Look what happens when we remain or abide in HIM, and keep HIS WORD, we can ask for what we want and it will be granted! (NLT) Is that awesome or what!! I am rejoicing so much right now in my heart knowing this is a promise from GOD to me. I have experienced  having my prayers and requests answered and let me tell you it is awesome cause, for me, it was a "this had to be GOD", moment or better than that a "GOD hears me an answered my call" moment. Both of these occurances are spectacular spiritual highs I can't even put words to it. GOD hears and responds!!!WOW!!!  PRAISES!!!!GLORY!!! Fruit producing brings Glory to God and HE loves that!! We remain or abide in the SAVIOUR"s love, being obedient and faithful to follow HIS commandments, we will explode with JOY, unspeakable. This chapter goes on with many precious goodnessess (?) from JESUS, read it for yourself and ask GOD to reveal HIMSELF. That is our part, communicating with GOD. Not just prayer, although that is vital, but much simpler than that is something we do well and often, and that is talking. Talk to God like you would a loved one or a close trusted friend. Talk often and continueously to the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, HE loves hearing our voice. HE is our FATHER and just like you love hearing your children's voice, HE is that way as well. We can do this on our own, no pastor, preacher, minister, prayer partner, religious person, spokesperson needed. Talk to HIM. Try it. Have a RELATIONSHIP with HIM where there is communication going on. Try it in your car, shower, while doing yard work,standing in line, on hold on the phone, washing the dog, hitting a baseball,whatever,TALK to HIM. Tell HIM secrets, how you feel about it, why you are angry, happy, sad, disgusted, in love, in hate,whatever TALK TO HIM. Yes HE knows all this stuff already, but TALK TO HIM anyway. He longs for us to communicate with HIM. 2Chronicles7:14 is is a verse my church, THE PURSUIT CHURCH, has taken as our mandate.  GOD is speaking and HE calls us HIS people, called by HIS NAME and HE tells us a few simple but important things to do to get HIM to heal our land. The two things I want to focus on in HIS requirements are PRAY and seek HIS FACE. To do these things we must TALK to HIM.  Try it. Read this verse for youself and let it speak to your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-14(KJV) tells us when we call to HIM and seek HIM with all our heart, HE will be found by us and turn away the thing that has held us captive.  HE wants to hear from us and many of the scriptures    tell us so, I have chosen only a few to highlight. Look for them and TALK to GOD about it. Hebrews 11:6 is very familiar  and the part I would like to focus on comes at the end of that verse where it says ...."He rewards those that diligently (sincerely)seek HIM". There are rewards awaiting those of us who seek HIM.WOW!!  WOW!!! That is straight out EPIC!!! GLORY TO THE MOST HIGH!!!  Talk to GOD today and listen for HIS response. He loves, loves, loves, 2-way conversation. Ask (read about) Moses, David, Elijah, Hezikiah, Paul, Abraham, Sarah, Adam, Eve, Job, Jesus just to name a few.  You can't ask these saints, but you can read the GOOD NEWS and learn how the 2-way thing worked with GOD.  Try it for yourself,  start the RELATIONSHIP off right with open communicating to our FATHER. Tell HIM all about it. BE BLESSED!!! GOD loves you,  I  love you, and JESUS is LORD!!!    John 15,   Job 38-42, Psalm103, Psalm 139.