3 Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”
4 When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments. 5 For the Lord had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy you. Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you.’” 6 So the Israelites stripped off their ornaments at Mount Horeb. - Exodus 33:3-6
Would you be satisfied to go to heaven - have everybody there in your family that you want there, have all the health and restoration of your prime, and everything you disliked about yourself fixed, have every recreation you've ever dreamed available to you, and have infinite resources of money to spend - would you be satisfied...if God weren't there? - John Piper
When I'm in need of clothing, shoes, a bed, wisdom, even words and Holy Spirit perspective I've learned to pray and ask God for it. Taking every detail to God asking Him to provide and thanking Him for that time that He will. With material things I am often praying for several months in advance to God leading me to a store that has that item in the price range I've asked for. I recently bought a new bed that God had put in my heart to be praying for back in November, I got this bed into my house about almost two weeks ago! As I was driving home soon after the purchase I asked the Lord "Why did You have me pray for so long for a bed?" The two answers I got were 1. To grow Our relationship, and 2. If you hadn't be praying for a bed, you wouldn't have been looking out for one and you would have missed blessing one of your fellow believers.
And then it struck me. Prayer is really about a relationship with God. He wants to spend time with me! Praying for things and praising God for the good and the bad. I've learned to come to my Savior Jesus about everything because I know He cares. I know I can speak honestly and openly with Him about anything!
When I'm sad or confused I've learned to go to Jesus and tell Him about it because I have a relationship with Him. I know He is there for me. Every moment.
A friend of mine preached a sermon on prayer last summer, encouraging us to pray, pray, pray for our neighbors and friends. At the end of the day if our friends love just - win! And we get a deeper relationship with God - win! And even if our friends don't love Jesus at the end of the day we still get God...we still are growing in relationship with Him. Deeper in Christ is never a bad thing.
Jesus has become my nearness friend and relationship because He loves me. Because He is able to save. Because He still pursues me. I'm His and He is mine. Prayer is a relationship. Jesus/God is the ultimate prize... not because He gives me things but because He gives me Himself.
Sweet reader I pray it is the same for you and Jesus. That you are always growing in a deeper real, radical relationship with Jesus Christ as savior and friend!
one of my favorite songs
sermon on Preserving Prayer by Thor Sawin
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