Devotional
Devotional
Pursuing God with Whole-Hearted Devotion that Inspires Others to Know More About Him
By Mitch Davis
Church Value #1: A growing relationship with God
I’ve been asked to share some thoughts as a devotional series over the coming weeks, looking at our church values - the key features we want to define our ministry at HBBC. There are six themes that we’ll touch on over this series, and it’s my prayer that this will be a blessing to you.
For this week, we are thinking about how as a church, and individuals, we can have ‘A growing relationship with God’. Straight away, my mind turns to Psalm 1: Blessed is the one… whose delight is in the law of the LORD. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, and whose leaf does not wither - whatever they do prospers. (NIV).
A relationship with God is something like a tree - growing, vibrant, bearing fruit as it ought, because it is closely linked to the life-giving source. I don’t know about you, but I don’t always feel like a healthy, strong tree! How can our faith develop this growth and life that God clearly wants us to have? I’d offer up a few suggestions.
I hope you’ve found this helpful. God bless as we go into this week - seeking always to grow in our relationship with God.
For this week, we are thinking about how as a church, and individuals, we can have ‘A growing relationship with God’. Straight away, my mind turns to Psalm 1: Blessed is the one… whose delight is in the law of the LORD. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, and whose leaf does not wither - whatever they do prospers. (NIV).
A relationship with God is something like a tree - growing, vibrant, bearing fruit as it ought, because it is closely linked to the life-giving source. I don’t know about you, but I don’t always feel like a healthy, strong tree! How can our faith develop this growth and life that God clearly wants us to have? I’d offer up a few suggestions.
- Delight in His word - be like that tree in Psalm 1, constantly drinking in God’s word. It’s sometimes as simple as ‘read your bible’! As Christians, we are dependent on God’s word, and we should plant ourselves firmly by it. Soak in his mercy, and grow in his love for us. This is how we discover more of the truths of God, and what it means to be in relationship with Him.
- Talk regularly with God - time in prayer is so critical to growing a relationship with God. We can’t maintain any relationship if we aren’t in regular communication. Something I find really helpful to do is actually get on my knees to pray. Something about the physical act of submission helps to focus my mind on talking to God. Always remember how privileged we are to be adopted as children of God, and be granted access to him as our Father!
- Seek opportunity to be caring for the needy - throughout the Bible, there is a clear link between loving Jesus, and loving those such as widows, orphans, the poor. God’s love should be demonstrated by showing love to those who need it, and this in turn grows us more and more in relationship with Him. If you have time, read 1 John 4:16-21, but the crux of this passage is that if we love God, we must also love those around us.
I hope you’ve found this helpful. God bless as we go into this week - seeking always to grow in our relationship with God.