Describe for me the attributed of a great relationship/friendship. Now, what does it take to make that relationship great? How do you get there? TIME. The most significant thing in a relationship is the ability to spend meaningful extended time together. That's what creates a great relationship.
Last week, our family went skiing. Had a great time. The kids learned to ski.Pam and I got lots of time together. January for me was all work and no play. I didn't get much home time. So last week, all of a sudden we're together 24/7. Well, the first couple days were a little rocky. They were awkward. But then with significant time came closeness for all our family. It was a great blessing to be together, away for a week. Time brings amazing closeness to relationships.
Today, we're talking about spending time with God and how to do that. And the same rule/principle applies here. As we spend time with God our relationship very quickly expands and develops to a much deeper level.
Here's what I want you to picture - a very large tree that is extremely healthy - large trees are healthy for one reason only.they have long roots. Your spiritual life must just like that. How do we grow a healthy spiritual life - a great relationship with God?
1. Put roots down to a deeper source by regularly studying God's Word.
Jeremiah put it like this."Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
What's the picture?..This amazingly healthy tree that can go on bearing delicious fruit - even when a drought has come and most other trees around it are fading fast..This one tree stands out. Why does it last?..Very simply, it has deep roots. This amazing tree has the ability to feed itself and get water from a whole different source than the other trees around it..And when a drought comes, that tree flourishes - it has deeper roots..
Here's what Jesus said."People need more than bread for their life.They must feed on every word of God." (Matthew 4:4)
And those words have extra impact when you read them in context..Jesus here had just ended a 40 day fast..No food - no water - and when it was done, the evil one came to tempt Him by saying..If you are who you say you are - turn those stones into bread and eat. What He was saying was this.."Jesus - your real strength comes from your physical needs. Feed them and you'll be fine." The base temptation that Satan throws at Jesus is very simple - Satisfy your human longings first and you'll be fulfilled. Fill your stomach - forget about your soul..
But Jesus says, "No thanks. I'll take soul food instead..I'll get my water from a deeper place..My roots are firmly established."
Now where to go with this..See, I wanted to try and convince you that reading God's Word every day was a food source in our lives..that we couldn't get anywhere else..I wanted to somehow convince you how valuable and priceless the Word of God is to your soul..That if you could somehow understand that every time you read His Word and apply it to your life - your soul roots go deeper.
And that there is a satisfaction - a learning - heart development that can only happen by clearly grasping God's Word..
Solomon puts it like this, "Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding." (Prov.4:7)
I also wanted to remind you again of the culture we live in and the habits we have that distract us from deepening our roots and being disciplined about reading God's Word. In fact, lots of these need to be shut off and put down for a while - so we can pick up the Bible and read..
Satan tried to distract Jesus by a very simple thing..He said, "Satisfy your wants first, then worry about your soul..Take this little sip of water I'm offering right now and forget about deepening your roots to that other water source.." See folks, we live in a culture that prides itself on information and technology and knowledge. But as Jordon said last week - wisdom is hard to come by..There are so many distractions to take us away from God's Word being our primary source of food. T.V. and newspapers and CNN and e-mails and internet and magazines..All great information sources. But none - catch that - none are a substitute for God's Word. There's lots of distractions. Social calendars and workout schedules and lunch appointments and coffee shops and our preoccupation with putting our kids in 32 different activities every week..at best, these are all very good things to do with our time and energy..But none of them are a substitute for God's Word. And a worst - they are distractions from the thing that will feed you most..The Word of God. But we use them as excuses.
You know, a few weeks ago I talked about my personal goals in life and the values I hold dear..Well, one of those was to live my life in such a way as to be wise when I am old..to be faithful to God in all that I do. I want to be a giant spiritually when I am old..But hear this - that will never happen unless I put my roots down deep. It will never happen unless I study God's Word in a disciplined and very regular way. It just won't happen. It won't for me and it won't for you..
Read Psalm 119. Hear the hunger.
People, this part of my message is very simple. You've heard it before, many times. But it's a basic - a key principle of being a Christ follower. If you study and meditate on God's Word your spiritual roots will grow deeper. And your spiritual life will be healthier - it's as simple as that!! When you take time to regularly read and ingest God's Word, your soul will expand.
So how do you do it? Get a Bible - easy to read translation. Get some reading helps (e.g. Our Daily Break, My Utmost for His Highest, concordance, commentary, www.lakeviewchurch.com, etc.). Do it - put it on your calendar every day. Stay with it. Trees take a long time to grow.
People - value the words of God. Chase wisdom. Don't be distracted. Sell everything you have to gain wisdom..Drive your roots down deep. Be disciplined - there are no substitutions. Grow your life from a base which will not falter. Read your Bible...and do what it says..Live the words of God.
Now - it's one thing to put down roots into that source of knowledge and wisdom and life..But how do you stay there? Is it all about our minds and knowledge? Or is our heart involved too? When the wind blows hard in life or when the drought comes spiritually..how do we keep our spiritual roots firmly planted to that life-giving source? Your spiritual life must be based on relationship - not just knowledge.
So how do you grow a healthy spiritual life.a great relationship with God?
2. By staying connected and listening to the Source
James 4:8 says this.."Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." That, folks, is one of the most amazing and powerful and mystical experiences that ever takes place in the whole world. The God of all the Universe - the Creator - the One who has always been and will always be - The all-powerful, all-knowing, all-seeing God - will draw close to you. In fact, His greatest desire is to connect intimately with you on a level none of us have even come close to grasping.
Now, of course I'm talking about prayer. You've hear this before.but so often in church, prayer is taught in such a square, far too practical way..I have done this many times. I've said.if you just do these things when you pray and pray this way with this formula.it will all work for your spiritual life..My theology on this is changing rapidly these days..to more experiential prayer. Simply connecting with God - that's all prayer is. Sometimes talking, sometimes listening, sometimes just silence..
I struggled for an example of this..Best one I could get happened to me this week. Pam and I coming back from Calgary..Driving..Pam and I were together for 6 hours in the van. Never left each other's presence - pretty connected - great experience. Why? How?
- We were simply together - we like being together.
- I talked, she listened.
- She talked, I listened.
- We held hands.
- We laughed.
- We were silent.she went to sleep (still great).
I looked over once and she was smiling. I asked her why - she didn't know. Now, if we tried every day to recreate that great 6 hour relationship experience with a formula, it wouldn't work...But, simply connecting would - being together...builds relationship.
And it's the same with God. It doesn't matter how you do it - how you connect. What matters is that you just do it. What matters is that you put your soul in a position to connect with God. Open up your heart and mind and meet with Him.
At first, it may only be a short meeting..but as your relationship develops, you'll want to spend much time simply being in one another's presence..Sometimes talking, sometimes listening..David put it like this in Psalm 5:3, "In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." Talking..listening...connecting.
About 3 years ago, I began to change how I met with God...and I began to abandon any formula that I had been told would work for my spiritual growth..And I just simply asked God to teach me how to best connect with Him..Music has played a large role in this..So has journaling. But what I thought I would do instead of talking about it - is simply to show you..and I hope this helps you somewhat..
Be mentally and spiritually fresh.
Set aside a regular time and place.
Set the mood. (Candles, music, Psalm, sing, Jesus - speak His name)
Be real."God this is how I feel."
Talk to God as you would a friend.
Prayer Journal.
Listen - silence.
Worship - music.
Folks, that's my story. Yours will probably be different. The key is that God doesn't care how.He just wants to meet with you. Let's do some connecting right now with worship. |
