Category Archives: Growing Your Relationship with God

Friday Fire Starters are simple ways to kick-start your quiet time with God. Here’s today’s suggestion:

Focus on the truth that God is the Source of creation.  Every created thing is from Him and of Him.  We can create beautiful things–music, literature, art–but only out of the elements he gave us.

• But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. Jeremiah 10:12
• The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1
• The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. Psalm 24:1-2
• It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts. Isaiah 45:12

Reflect on the scriptures above and praise God for the specifics of his creation and the things he chose to create that bless your soul.

We don’t hear much about it, but there were times in Jesus’ ministry when he actually lost momentum and popularity. They are infrequent, but there nonetheless. Can you imagine someone actually choosing to walk away from Jesus? Think about it–the rich young ruler, Judas and Peter, and the people here that John mentions–each of these rejected Jesus in some way. Have you?

As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew, and were not walking with Him anymore. John 6:66

Notice in this verse that those who John mentions were disciples. Strange as it seems, these were not border-line people. These were not fringe followers. Those who walked away from Jesus were time-tested disciples. They had been with Jesus for a while, long enough at least to be recognized as one of his followers. And yet they ceased following. Why? What makes a disciple stop being a disciple? In the example of John 6, it was Jesus’ words. His teachings were so extreme, so radical, that many who had been following decided that they could no longer afford to do so. The side show was over, the miraculous feedings had ceased, and now Jesus was getting down to the nitty-gritty of what it meant to follow. In short, he was talking about a relationship with him. He wanted his followers to feed off of him, to live for him. And that was the deal breaker. After hearing that, many no longer wanted to follow him.

Why are you following Jesus? What is your motive? What draws you to him? He certainly is an attractive figure—offering forgiveness of sins and eternal life; but in reality, he wants more. He wants a relationship. He wants his disciples to live for him as he died for them. He wants them to worship him as the only true God. He wants them to meditate on his teachings. He wants them to teach others how to be his followers as well.

Have you been looking to get out of the discipleship business? You will be somebody’s follower in life. You will call someone or something Lord. Why not recommit your life to Jesus right now? Don’t be a disciple dropout. Commit to follow Jesus for the long haul. Stay with him when times, circumstances, and even his words get tough.

Friday Fire Starters are simple ways to kick-start your quiet time with God. Here’s today’s suggestion:

James 2:23 says Abraham believed God and was then counted in right standing with God.  He was counted as a friend of God. Think of the implications of being right before God and being considered his friend.  Pray a prayer of faith, thanking God for making you his friend.

Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 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. James 2:21-23

Friday Fire Starters are simple ways to kick-start your time with God. Here’s today’s suggestion:

Read 1Chronicles 29:10-12, and then respond in your own words.

So David blessed the LORD in the sight of all the assembly; and David said, “Blessed are You, O LORD God of Israel our father, forever and ever.

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.

Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone.

Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:10-13

Two days ago I enjoyed a day of prayer with part of our church’s staff. As part of the morning worship time I asked them to write one of their favorite ways to get into God’s presence on a card. Then we all swapped cards and did what the card we had suggested. It was amazing. The ideas my staff gave each other were great ways kick off your day with God. So good, in fact, that I decided to share them with you.

Over the next several Fridays I’ll post an entry called Friday Fire Starters. I’ll post one of the ideas from my staff as an encouragement to you in fanning the flame of your relationship with God. Use them, tweak them, and feel free to share them with your friends. We’ll see where this goes, bit it might turn into a long-term Friday gig.

Friday Fire Starter #1–Read Psalm 46 – Three Times – Pause for one minute in between. Sit, be still, and reflect on the nature of God’s goodness.