“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (NIV)
I was privileged to co-lead my first life group this past spring. While the group was about Caring for the Caregiver, God impressed upon my heart two things in particular to share: how much He desires to have a personal relationship with each one of us and taking the time to look up and notice the blessings all around us – “collecting happiness” throughout our day.
Today I want to encourage everyone about how much God desires to have a personal relationship with each of us. First and foremost, He wants to be Lord of our lives. He desires for us to live with Him for eternity in Heaven and the only way to do that is to accept Jesus into our heart as our personal Savior.
I want to talk more about the next step, though, after one has received Jesus into their heart. What then? God desires a closeness with us. Think about how you develop and grow in a relationship with a friend, your spouse, your children, or co-workers. Our youth pastor, Pastor Justin, shared in a sermon recently about the three key ingredients to growth: shared experiences, communication and trust.
The same is true of growing our relationship with God. First, we have to spend time in shared experiences with Him to get to know Him and open ourselves up for Him to know us. Next, communication involves reading God’s Word, talking to God through prayer and then listening to God through prayer as well. Last, the more we share experiences with God and communicate with God through Bible reading and prayer, the more our trust in Him grows.
Then, when storms come in our lives (and they will), we have those shared experiences, open communication and trust built up already to help us through those trials so true growth can occur.
Come back next time for another truth God reminded me of through the small group experience.
#growingrelationships #Goddesiresrelationship #SpokenfromtheHeart
© Cheri Swalwell 2018