ESTABLISHING A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD...Know the God you're Serving!

 

RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST

 

Introduction:

A newborn baby depends on the mother for all things from breast milk, to Cereals, water and sleep.  By so doing, a bond is developed between the mother and the child.  The power of such bonding is so strong that throughout the growth years of that baby, it remains intact.

 

That’s the least kind of bonding expected between the newborn believer and his LORD, Jesus Christ.  The essence of the fellowship is for the new believer to know the LORD, His words to obey and His instructions to follow.

 

Immediately a person receives the LORD as Saviour, there are a few important steps he should take to establish himself in the faith.  One of them is to acquaint himself with the word Oof God through daily study and meditation on the Word. 

Next to that, the newborn baby should seek to know the LORD personally and establish a relationship with Him.  Relationship with Christ is easier when the Believer is consistent in studying the word, meditating and obeying the word.

Getting to know the LORD and the benefits of salvation is always wonderful for new believers who hunger to serve the LORD in an acceptable manner.  our fellowship is not only with the LORD, but we have fellowship with God the Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 1:9; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 1:3).

 

Fellowship with God and the Holy Spirit starts with a relationship with Jesus.  The LORD Jesus reconciled us to God through His death on the cross (Romans 5:10). and so after salvation, we need a living relationship with Him, to know Him and for him to know us.

When we do that, our path to spiritual growth is on the right footing.  I won't be able to explain the many benefits of this engagement which is real in every respect.  It gives the believer confidence in the LORD.  It makes for a quick answer to your prayers and uncommon favour from the LORD. 

 

To enjoy friendship with the LORD, one must have a pure heart and be a lover of God and not a lover of the world.  James 4:4 says 'know you not that the friendship of this world is enmity with God.  Whosoever, therefore, will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 

 

God is light, and light cannot have fellowship with darkness: “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:6–7).

 

Those in a relationship with God are trusting in Christ. Their sins are forgiven. They are filled with the Holy Spirit. They believe that in all things, God deserves to be glorified. They spend time studying the Bible and pray for spiritual wisdom and insight to live holy and fear the LORD. (Ephesians 1:17).

 

Without a relationship with Christ, a person is serving God he/she does not know.  This is sad because when such a man or woman prays, heaven does not know him, or his voice.  This may delay the answer to your prayers. If there is no fellowship with the LORD, at best, you are serving Him from a distance, and consequently, you are a stranger to the Kingdom, and I pray that's not your portion.

 

Daily Routines, when a relationship exists 

When you have tarried with the Word of God and obtain a revelation of His mighty presence and power, your daily routines will change for the better.  Instead of spending your late-night hours watching films, you will get to bed on time and rise early in the morning to fellowship with the LORD.

 

Your day will start in the morning with praises unto Him for preserving your life through the night, and thanksgiving for your daily provisions, protection and safety.  

You will make time to study the word and pray before leaving the house.  I don't know about you, but I will always ask for God's mercy and favour for the day. Remember that favour is life, so add favour to your prayer request, don't forget to ask for mercy.

When you return to the house, you kneel down and thank Him for going with you and returning with you.  These wonderful daily routines will continue until it becomes your way of life.  The next step is for you to select your bedtime, and how many minutes you will pray before going to bed.  Each one of these routine activities has benefits accruing to you. 

Benefits of a Relationship

You would have realized by now that by having a relationship with the LORD, you will have to depend on Him for many things.  The gift of righteousness is already given to you, so you should know what that grace means and how to walk in righteousness.

First, come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the LORD, and touch not unclean the unclean things and I will receive you.  The LORD will be your Father and you, His sons and daughters - 2 Corinthians 6:17-18.

Know that your body is a member of Christ, flee fornication.  Remember that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which is God's. 1 cor 6:19-20.

Holiness here can simply be described as walking with a pure heart, undefiled in your thoughts and actions.  Be ready to show love to others as much as you can afford, and the following blessings and others will follow you. 

1. Power - You may recall the time when the seventy disciples returned to the Lord rejoicing about the results of their ministry. They remarked, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name" (Luke 10:17). But then Jesus pointed out that the great marvel of this was that the devils were subject to them because their names were "written in heaven." 

In other words, because they were saved and in a relationship with Christ, they had authority over the Devil in the name of Jesus.  The LORD has given His followers, all those who know Jesus personally as their Lord and Savior, the authority to use His name to expel the forces of evil - Mark 16:7.

2. Eternity in heaven -  He says " In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also - John 14:2-3

3. Anointing - To all believers, Jesus said, "In My name, they will cast out demons" (Mark 16:17). He says "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father" - John 14:12.

4. His divine presence - His presence opens every physical and spiritual door for you, and no matter who says you will not prosper, in their eyes and presence, you will excel and become great.

5. Answered Prayers:  He says that whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son - John 14:17.

My appeal to you is “Know the God you are serving, and let Him know you and your voice”.   Let His presence be real to you!

CONCLUSION

 

Friends, Jesus is coming soon.  It's the loving-kindness of God that He has kept you alive till now and given you time to hear the gospel. If you have not yet received Him as Lord and Saviour, I plead with you to do it now.  

Today is the day of salvation. Tomorrow could be too late. 

Say this simple prayer: 

Heavenly Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ.

I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose again for my justification. I repent of my sins and ask for forgiveness. I ask Jesus to come into my heart and reign as my Lord and Saviour.   

 

I receive Him by faith and I am born again.

FIRE...