Have you ever wondered how to include God in your life more each day?
Your day may be filled with a husband, children, work, activities, and social events, etc.?
You may even spend time with the Lord first thing in the morning, attend a Bible study, and participate in a weekly worship service.
But God is calling you to a deeper relationship. What might He be leading you to do that would facilitate more intimacy with Him?
I sense God leading me into deeper intimacy with Him, and as I’ve considered this I was led to this verse:
1 Thessalonians 5:17: “pray without ceasing”
That wasn’t a new thought, but God was talking with me through it. He wasn’t telling me to stay in my quiet time place on my knees all day. I have responsibilities, and that wouldn’t be possible.
I prayed and thought further. What God is saying to me is that I need to show Him I am dependent upon Him for everything in my life by asking Him for guidance and help in everything I do each day.
I realized that there were hours in my day that I would do whatever I was involved in, and may not have thanked God for His help and guidance, or I may not have asked God to be involved in those activities by asking for guidance, wisdom, discernment, help, patience, etc.
I want to talk with God about everything I’m thinking about, and all the plans I’m considering. I picture myself holding His arm, my constant companion. I want to have more of a heart of appreciation and gratefulness for all the ways God helps me every moment of every day.
I can pray without ceasing as I move about my day, making short, simple, “please help” prayers, prayers of thanksgiving, or prayers of guidance and direction:
“Lord, what should I make for dinner?” “Lord, please help me as I answer this telephone call.” “God, I need to make a decision, please guide me.”
God further directed me to this verse: Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” “In every situation”stood out to me. All day I’m in situations – preparing meals, shopping, laundry, reading, conversations, caring for a little one, leading Bible study, serving others in various ways, etc.
Have you ever been stumped when doing something with an IT item [cell phone/computer, etc]? God knows all about how they work. Have you ever needed guidance with cooking? God knows how to help!
I’m learning to stop more quickly and ask for Him to help me figure out something. He knows everything, so why shouldn’t I show Him I know that by asking Him for help? He may lead me to a website, or a person, or sometimes He even gives me a thought, and I’m helped.
This is about my showing God that I depend upon Him for everything, revealing to Him that I am not wanting to go it alone.
As I submit my needs and desires to Him, God is building humility into my character.
When I receive His help and guidance, then I praise and exalt His Name! I have another item I can write in my journal, giving Him credit and thanksgiving! The more regular I am in seeking Him throughout my day, the more I can testify to His greatness, because I’ve personally experienced His active presence.
But God is always present in our lives.
As a true follower of Jesus, I have His Holy Spirit indwelling me permanently: 1 Corinthians 6:19: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,”.
When I am stuck, and need help praying, God’s Spirit is right here with me to help me: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Romans 8:26
However, if Jesus is not your Lord and Savior, you do not have the indwelling Holy Spirit: “Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” Romans 8:9b
Do you want an intimate relationship with our amazing God who created us? You can have that right now, if you will bow before Him, and express your need for Jesus and His sacrifice that offers you forgiveness of your sins. That profession should be further established through water baptism [This is not the same as some people experience having been baptized as an infant. This is baptism because you have made a profession of faith in Jesus, as your Lord and Savior].
The next step is walking in obedience to Him: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:15-17
Please contact me at: ButGodCares@gmail.com if I can help you connect more with God.
Living for Jesus, Donna
P.S. If this has helped you, please feel free to share it with others!
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Copyright 2023 Donna Shappy All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.