Day 3 - Relational God

[fmckinnon]

Today we discuss Day 3 of Week 3, "Relational God"

Discuss your thoughts on this relational aspect ...

[ErikaMichelle]

This was a wonderful study today on how our God is realtional - He is near!!

I have read Isaiah 53:1-6 and every time I read it, I just cry at the thought of what He did for me. I didn't deserve His love, but He gave it. I didn't deserve the gifts He's given me, but He gave. I didn't deserve grace, but He gave me mercy. I am so thankful that every day Our God is showing me how to live a holy life. Oh, I mess up . . . often. But He is there with forgiveness and open arms.

I used to sing a song by Helen Baylor called Hunger for Holiness. I think it is a very appropriate song for this day's devotional. The chorus says,

"Lord, I hunger for holiness
And I thirst for the righteousness that's Yours
That my mind would be cleansed
And my spirit renewed
And this temple that You dwell in would be pure."

Be Blessed today!!!

[Wannabe a Worshiper]

How sweet it was today, to look at God's desire to have a relationship with us. and the lengths he went to to make it possible. Why? Why me? I am so unworthy.
Thank you Lord, that your desire to commune with me isn't based on my worthiness, but on your character.

I especially loved Psalm 103. Verses 2-5 list five benefits we have from the Lord:
He forgives all our sins
He heals all our diseases
He redeems our lives from the pit
He crowns us with love and compassion
He satisfies our desires with good things
So that our youth is renewed like the eagle's.
(This 55 year-old will take all the renewal he can get!)

The best part is in verse 10: "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities."

Good stuff to know about our good, good God.

[MandoRon]

Wannabe... I think you hit the nail on the head.

Psalm 103 beautifully describes just how much God loves us, and the lengths that he's gone through to express his love for us.

It also struck me that verses 8-14 are a guide to us. They show us how we are supposed to treat others. They describe how a Christ-follower should act towards others.

Good stuff today!

[Rogenia]

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with your entire mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. (Mt 22:36-40)”

Relational to me is the heart of the Believers faith, reflecting the fact that we as humans have been made for relationship. For instance - in Genesis, “Let’s make man in our own image.” Knowing God in a relational manner should also affect our relationships with believers and non-believers. By knowing God and because we have experienced his love, we can extend that same love to others because we are secure within ourselves. This is certainly God’s will for our relationships with others, but as Pinnock states, “The will of God is not something that is always done but something that can be followed or resisted”. By resisting the will of God in our relations with others, we create problems inside and outside of the church, our families and in our lives. If these problems are not confronted, then each entity begins to suffer and will eventually become ineffective as it caters to our desires rather than God’s.

By having a relationship with God and understanding that our purpose is to love him back, we begin to read the Scriptures in a relational way and through them the Spirit begins to free us.

It is this: if you are in Christ, when God sees you, He sees the humble obedient life of Jesus Christ. In Christ, we are free to be what we were created to be by depending on Christ for our ability to be what He created us to be. God is relational and with us every step of the way! Hallelujah - GOD WITH US!

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17"

My prayer today is that I humbly be able to continually developing a deeper RELATIONSHIP IN CHRIST; by maintaining a prayer life to Him - in the way he deserves, praising and worship Him in the way He deserves, obeying and pursing Him (John 15:14, if you do what I command you), and confessing when I think or know I am wrong. We are fall short of the glory of God; but I thank Him for being a forgiven Lord and Savior.

[efrisch]

Ultimately, this is what makes Christianity different from every other religion in the world... instead of being stuck in a constant struggle to be good enough for God, we serve a God who cares deeply for us and wants to be near us. That's such a powerful thing, because as Wannabe pointed out, we don't deserve that kind of love. We haven't earned this relationship, but we are blessed to have it anyways. Praise God!

[fmckinnon]

Ah, it's this Day - the "relational" part that we all love so much. I wonder if the reason this day didn't get quite as much discussion is because this "relational" aspect of God is what we've all grown to be most accustomed to?

I love the little word "our" that Dwayne points out - my goodness, how did he catch that, and make that connection - surely, by the revelation of the Holy Spirit.

We need "our God" to "come down". Yeah, He's in our hearts ... but it's an awe-inspiring thing when He breaks the barrier of time and space and reveals Himself in our behalf, in our lives, in our situations.

[ErikaMichelle]

We need "our God" to "come down". Yeah, He's in our hearts ... but it's an awe-inspiring thing when He breaks the barrier of time and space and reveals Himself in our behalf, in our lives, in our situations.

Beautifully Said!

[russhutto]

Great study.

Faithful:

How is it that when so many times I have turned my heart away from You, when I have all but spit in Your face, You are still here?

Here.

Not far. Not there. But near.

Here.

Merciful:

How is it that when so many times I have chosen the wide road, the sinful path that leads away from You, the road of transgressions traveled by so many, You are still here?

Not just casually sitting on the porch.

But running to meet me. Every time.

No stones cast. Forgiveness bestowed.

Here.

Holy:

How is it that a raging fire that consumes everything in its path, a wild tempest of righteous love, a beautiful fury of passion and justice, can be here? Here with me, an imperfect breathing lump of dirt and clay.

Here.

You are here.

When I was there, You were here.
When I was far, You were near.

You were here.
You are here.
You will be here.

[fmckinnon]

Dude, you are in songwriting MODE ... let's get that stuff written, recorded, and published with HPP!

[Maggievt]

I have enjoyed reading what has been posted - I think what struck me was one of those other 'one word' things that Mr. Moore pointed out - the section of Psalm 29 when David said to" 'Worship the Lord IN the splendor of his holiness." Obviously God expects some holiness on our end as well -"
WOW, it surely hits home; even more for those Sundays when the whole worship team just seems tired, distracted, ect, ect, ect -
This study will definitely impact the worship at my church - my Pastor has watched how it has had an effect just during these first two weeks; at practices, during our last two meetings about music and last Sunday at Service, and he is going to start this study himself.

Oh, Holy Father, help me walk this life. Continue to guide me and may I continue to be willing to follow and listen.