My Amazing God @tag1>
Deepening Your Relationship Beyond the Honeymoon Phase @tag2>
A few years ago, I made a ridiculous comment. I said, “God, I just don’t understand why You don’t do little things for me like You used to do.” And God responded to me so clearly. I felt He said, “Joyce, I am still doing those things, you just aren’t paying attention and aren’t as aware of them as you used to be.”
You see, when we first enter into a relationship with God, everything feels fresh and new. We get goose bumps and we’re bursting with excitement, just like it is with any new romance. Then as time goes by, we begin to think our relationship is drying up. But it’s not drying up as much as its growing up.
You see, God doesn’t want to go on “dating” you forever; His heart’s desire is for a fully committed, close-knit relationship. He wants us to get to know Him, to get familiar with His Word and His ways. He wants us to stick with Him through good times and bad. And He wants us to seek Him for who He is, not just for what He can do for us.
Take Your Relationship to a New Level
The truth is, it’s absolutely incredible that you and I can become intimately acquainted with God Almighty, the Creator of the universe! He loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem us from our sins—and now He wants to live inside us!
I don’t know about you, but the more I contemplate God’s plan for mankind, the more I understand the Apostle Paul’s intense desire to know Him (see Philippians 3:10).
If you struggle with doubt or just don’t fully understand who God wants to be in your life, then now is the time to get to know Him.
Hosea 6:3 says, “So let us know and become personally acquainted with Him; let us press on to know and understand fully the [greatness of the] Lord [to honor, heed, and deeply cherish Him]” (AMP). As one commentary puts it, let us “hunt after” the knowledge of God.
Is God Playing Hide and Seek with You?
Did you know that God hides so that that we might seek Him and find Him in a deeper way?
Maybe God is playing hide and seek with you. All you have to do is sincerely say, “God, I want to know You….” Spend a few minutes with Him in prayer. Just start somewhere.
God promises in His Word that when we seek Him and require Him as a vital necessity, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13 AMP).
The Bible Says God Is:
Jehovah Elohim, The One True God
Jehovah Rapha, The Lord Your Healer
Jehovah Shalom, The Lord Our Peace
Jehovah Jireh, The Lord Our Provider
Jehovah Nissi, The Lord Our Banner
Jehovah M’Kaddesh, The Lord Who Sanctifies
Jehovah Tsidkenu, The Lord Our Righteousness
I encourage you to take that information and make it personal.
Because you need to know that He’s your healer…your peace… your provider… your victory banner… your righteousness…and your refuge in the storm. He gives you wisdom and knowledge…and all the strength you need. He is your God Almighty.
Make a daily declaration of God’s power in your life. It could go something like this:
“Who is God? He’s my everything!
Where is He? Everywhere!
When is He with me? All the time!
What does He know? Everything!
God is the great I AM—and He’s all I will ever need!”
Gain Confidence in God, and Grow
The more aware of Him you become—and the more you agree with His Word—the more peace and joy you have on the inside.
As your relationship with Him progresses, it’s true that He will naturally require more of you. Hebrews 12:6 says that God corrects those whom He loves. But He won’t make your choices for you. God is not looking for spiritual robots—He wants sons and daughters.
Here’s my encouragement to you: Don’t go a day without getting excited about God. Don’t let the flames of your love grow cold. Look for the love notes that He’s hidden in His Word. Look for Him in “the present,” of your everyday life…and be continually amazed.