‘Move your heart closer and closer to God, and he will come even closer to you. But make sure you cleanse your life, you sinners, and keep your heart pure and stop doubting’
(James 4:8 - TPT)
When we become born-again, or give our lives to Christ and make the decision to make Jesus the Lord and Saviour of our lives, we become part of God’s heavenly family. One of God’s biggest desires is to have an intimate relationship with you. And not just as someone who worships Him but as a son or daughter.
‘For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.’
(Galatians 3:26 - NKJV)
When anything in our life is new we tend to invest a lot of time getting to know and understand how it works. The same happens when we become saved. For a while, our faith feels like it's on cloud nine and it feels like everything in life is just dandy. We can’t wait to spend time in God’s presence and when we do, everything just seems to fall into place.
The bible says that we were adopted as sons & daughters when we accepted Jesus into our hearts.
‘But when the time of fulfilment had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law. Yet all of this was so that he would redeem and set free those held hostage to the law so that we would receive our freedom and a full legal adoption as his children.’
(Galatians 4:4-5 TPT)
Even though we know this, it does not take long for life to get back into its 'normal rhythm' though and we soon find that we've taken our gaze off of the One who rescued us, and we start to focus on the challenges that once consumed us. It is then that things can quickly deteriorate.
When challenges, negative comments, difficult relationships, struggles at work or concerns for our children return to take the priority it had before Christ, it’s easy to take your foot of the fuel and lose focus of your first love, Jesus. (Rev 2:1-7)
When this happens, it's important to remember that God is a God of Forgiveness
God sees you as His son or daughter and Loves you unconditionally. Let that sink in for a moment. When we take our eyes off Him and start focusing on what we see around us rather than on what is unseen (the eternal), He will still be waiting with open arms to receive us again just as the father in the parable of the prodigal son. Luke 15:11-32
If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us. (1 John 1:9) All we need to do is return to Him, repent, change our ways and follow His voice again. God wants you to have a relationship Him, more than you want it.
What is the first step in becoming active members or participants of the household of faith?
A participant or member implies that we are active and have a responsibility when we become a son or daughter of God’s heavenly household. In our home, we all have responsibilities and as our daughter grows older, we have given her more responsibilities according to her ability.
God has a plan for us and tells us what it is in Jeremiah 29:11 – ‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ (NIV)
To me that scripture means that if there is a plan – God wants us to fulfil it.
You’ll never see the vision fulfilled if the blue-prints of your future (the bible) are left lying in the drawer of your desk or on your coffee table. God expects us to become prosperous and filled with hope for a bright future.
We become active participants by building and growing the relationship with the One who we call Abba-Father – or as I prefer to call Him – Daddy God.
I call what most people call ‘quiet time’ – ‘My Coffee Date with God’. I prefer early mornings before anyone else is up and find that I am just so much more productive and focused if I’ve first spent time with Him. My day always feels a bit more chaotic when I’ve allowed life to happen or I've chosen to sleep in. (Read my blog on being in the Wilderness here)
Five Benefits of Spending Time in God’s Presence
- Your faith grows as you hear the Word (Rom 10:17)
- You will find the answers you need in His presence (Prov 3:5-6)
- Your relationship with God deepens & He will draw closer to you. (James 4:8)
- Physical healing happens (Isaiah 43:31)
- You will experience Joy (Psalm 16:11)
mainly though, it's about discovering the character of God. When we spend time with someone, we get to know them intimately. The same happens when we spend time with our heavenly Father. We get to know WHO He is rather than just focusing on what we can get or what He can do for us.
I've created a short e-book or guide for 'Creating your Coffee-Date with God'. The tips may seem obvious, but yet, so many don't do it and lose out on discovering WHO the Father is, something we can only truly know when we spend time in His presence.
It's truly amazing when your relationship with Daddy-God is in a place where you are led by Him daily. You’ll soon see how your Love for Him climbs to new heights and you start experiencing a deeper love for Him as you prioritise your time with Him. (Joshua 1:8)
May your love for God grow deeper and May His presence become stronger with each passing day.
Stay blessed and in Him
Cindy x
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