This January, God is inviting us to set aside more relationship time with Him.
God spent relationship time with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, walking and talking. – Genesis 1-3
“I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain.” – Psalm 3:4
“Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” – Psalm 5:3
“Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe. Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow.” – Psalm 5:7-8
“Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. For Christ himself has brought peace to us.” – Ephesians 2:13-14 (includes healing of racial tension)
“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” – Jeremiah 33:3 (includes many becoming believers, new life/peace/prosperity, and renewal to urban decay)
Relationship time with God brings us to a place of being prepared for the moment.
Each day is a gift. Daily opportunities are found amid challenges and can be seized in a moment. This year we will have new moments with people who need Jesus.
“I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.” – 2 Timothy 1:6-8
“May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever!” – Ephesians 3:19-21
How will we respond to God’s invitation to conversation?
1. Prayerfully consider why we are choosing to do this.
2. Prayerfully choose what we will do less of so that we can spend more time with God.
3. Prayerfully plan the days and times we will give God the best of our energy.
4. Prayerfully decide what food and other good things we will go without so that we may better delight in relationship time with God.
5. Prayerfully commit to not let anything get in the way of our relationship time with God.