So, let's break it down:
To fellowship with God is to communicate with him. Believe it or not, communication with God is two-way street. God speaks to us through His word-the Bible. We speak to God through prayer.
BIBLE - Just like our own earthly parents, God wishes to provide guidance, instruction, love, comfort, discipline, and reward. He does provide these things in His word, but if we never open it and read it, we will never know the endless bounds of God's love for us! Want to know what God says about reading the Bible? Here are a few scriptures for you:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
16 All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Romans 15:4 (NIV)
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
John 15:7 (NIV)
"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."
PRAYER - Likewise, just as we run to our parents for help, encouragement, answers, and accolades, God wants us to turn to Him. Through prayer, we can seek God's solace, His help, we can rejoice with Him, thank Him for the goodness, share our joys and seek his comfort. Here is what the Bible has to say about prayer:
John 15:7 (NIV)
"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."
Philipeans 4: 6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
In 2012, having been a Christian for nearly 21 years, I made my very FIRST commitment to commune with Christ daily! I decided it was high time that I take things seriously and get to know my savior. Little did I know that this decision would most likely save my life. Six months after making that decision, I was faced with some pretty big parenting challenges, I had my days of not knowing how in the world I would make it through this. My kids needed me and the only thing I could do was pray. Even today as I continue to deal with the decisions made that summer, I have no way to change anything except through prayer, only God has the power to change hearts. I am here to tell you, God love you! God wants to hear from you! He can and WILL change your life, but you have to open the door and let Him in!
It is said that it takes 21 days to form a habit; if you do something the same time every day for 21 days you are likely to continue doing it on the 22nd, and 23rd days, and the days that follow. I would like all of us to make reading our Bible everyday and praying to God everyday a habit! What a wonderful habit to be in and it is a habit that WILL change your life; it certainly changed mine! With that said, I would like to close this post with a challenge. For 21 days, choose a time of day that works best for you, it can be anytime and it only takes five to ten minutes, During this time, open your Bible and read; if you don't know what to read, you can go to www.bible.com they have reading plans to help you out, or read the book of John (one chapter a day). Say a prayer, God knows your heart, but he wants to hear from us. Feel free to post your progress here or encourage others here or post to our facebook or twitter sites!
Let the change begin!
Love in Christ,
Trish :)