I'm Connected

It’s a privilege to know that you’re connected to God, to know that the most high is your heavenly Father and He cares about you. The Lord is moved with compassion for you and has out poured His love all over us so that we may be set free from all oppression, fears, attacks from the enemy etc. Many times in our lives we may feel that we’ve somehow disconnected from God, or we may not know exactly how to develop our relationship with Him, I've been there, but it is a true blessing when we realize beyond what I feel I am accepted, chosen, and loved by God. Let this blog article remind you that you are linked to God and let it bring new revelation deepening your understanding of who your are in Him.

What makes me connected?

We believe in the Holy Trinity, One God- Monotheistic (three persons), God the Father , God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Therefore, receiving Christ is one way you may initially link with God. Anyone who has received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior has made a true connection with God. This is where the relationship develops. We know that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life John 14:16 "Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". When you repent (ask for forgiveness) and as the word says Romans 10:9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and BELIEVE in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will (There is no question) be saved." The initial Connection is being saved, that's where the relationship begins.

How am I connected to God?

We are connected with God through FAITH. You're not going to comprehend the fullness of the relationship with the human mind. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.) We have to resolve in our minds that we have made a bond with God because His word says it so we believe it. It is not really about a feeling, it's about knowing.... For instance if someone asked you your name, you would know your name or if someone asked you where you work , you would tell them, it's not whether you feel it or not, the fact is this is your name and job. Well, having a relationship with God is similar, it's not so much a feeling but knowing that you are a son of God. John 1:12 " Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—" and because you are his son their is a connection , even if emotions, logic, thoughts, situations or even people tell you different, it's a fact.

How do I get closer to God?

Now that you are a child of God and have faith to believe it no matter what, it's now time to activate that faith (put action to what you believe )Make your faith complete by allowing faith and actions to work together. You have to now establish your relationship with Him. How do we do that? Well, like any other relationship if you want to connect and get to know a person you would spend time with them, invest in getting to know them by intentionally making time for them. This is the same way you develop a connection with God. Actually, God is to be made the priority in your life, spend regular quality time with the Lord. Be more intentional about your prayer life and increase your conversations with God. Read and study His word, worship and praise Him. To bond with God you need to spend time with Him, to know Him you need to read His word , the bible. The bible reveals the character, presence, voice, image, love and plans of God. This is how you grow closer to Him by learning of the Lord, speaking to Him and dwelling with Him. These are some actions that should be done to compliment your faith.

James 2:14-2 Faith and Deeds

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

What should I expect? Will there be changes, or signs?

Change and Growth: There should be change happening in your life and in your thoughts, actions, patterns, etc. Your mind should be renewing as it says in Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. The Holy Spirit leads you in your choices, not your flesh, not your emotions and not people, but God and what is pleasing to Him. If your actions did not line up with God's word prior, you now should see change. For instance ,if I used foul language before, was an alcoholic, drug addict, fornicated, lied, cheated, stole, killed, etc I should not be doing those things anymore, this may happen instantly or it may be a gradual change but a shift should definitely take place.The Holy Spirit will bring conviction (not condemnation) to you and you will no longer desire to do these things over a period of time. Your desires may change and should soon align with the will of God. God may send people in your path to remind you of His love and mercy. He may send someone to you with a word of prophecy or encouragement. You will know God is at work if you are more at peace and more content in situations; no longer quick to anger. Your love for God and people will grow the closer and more connected you are with God. You will forgive more and show mercy more freely. God may also reveal Himself to you more, whether in dreams, visions, nature, through people, at work , at church, His word, angelic presence etc.