JULY 5, 2014. FOUR WAYS TO BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD

SATURDAY JULY 5, 2014.

'Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord...' 2 Peter 3:18 NKJV

Four Ways to Build a Relationship with the Lord

First, make up your mind. Spiritual growth doesn't happen by osmosis. You don't just wake up with it one morning; you have to set your heart on it and make it your highest priority. Otherwise it won't happen. The Bible says: 'Let not that man suppose he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.' (James 1:7 NKJV) Second, break up your will. Until your will is surrendered to God and brought into alignment with His purposes, you will go in circles spiritually. Israel went in circles in the wilderness for forty years, yet they were only eighteen kilometers from the Promised Land. Don't let that happen to you. 'Now may the God of peace...make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight.' (Hebrews 13:20-21 NKJV) Third, wake up your faith. Obey the leadings of God's Spirit. Don't be afraid, He will not let you down. Just make sure you don't let Him down. 'Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He who comes to God must believe that He is...a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.' (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV) Fourth, take up your cross. '...If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.' (Matthew 16:24-25 NKJV) If you're serious about building a relationship with the Lord, do these four things.

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional