BrendaHubbard

I have decided to follow Jesus! No turning back No, no, no turning back…the cross before me, the world behind me, no turning back. This cross I’ll carry till I see Jesus, this cross I’ll carry till I see Jesus. As I began to compile the thoughts that came to me when I think about growing my relationship with God, the first line, “ I have decided reminded me of when I made an open-known declaration to the world to get baptized, meaning the old me has died behold the new me, in Christ was born, which represents the beginning of my walk as a new believer in Jesus Christ.

Early on in my walk, right before deciding to get baptized, I remember asking one of the elders in the growth track class I attended (the same class I met my husband in), what if I do something wrong again? She looked at me in my eyes and said God knows what you did in the past, present, or future, and he has forgiven you and will forgive you as long as you repent and turn away. (Crying emoji)
I couldn’t believe this God I was learning about knew me like that. He had forgiven and died for me so I could be made new and have a relationship with him. Being raised in a Catholic Church, I never heard anything about having a personal relationship with any of the saints they worshiped and forgiveness unless I did something like go to a priest, and he gave me the verdict on what I had to do physically. Once I gave my life to Christ and began to have encounters, miracles, signs, and wonders happen in my life, it just grew my faith and belief. And It has been evolving ever since.

Every day, I thank God for this life he’s given me, not because it is perfect but because I know who He is. I finally know who I am in him. I understand I was created by a loving God who only wants to have a relationship with me. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depth of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:13-16. Now, read that again. It might not seem very easy to believe that someone we can’t see or know physically created us and placed us in our mother’s wombs. But there is so much in our world that is unexplainable. But the evidence, miracles, signs, and wonders prove that something beyond our understanding is real and controls and allows situations to take place.

I am not here to convince you, nor do I have enough proof, but I am here to spark your curiosity past your familiarity and how you’ve done this life up to this point. Are you willing to take a chance and see? The worst-case scenario is that you return to your lifestyle and disregard everything I have suggested. But I promise you if you take a leap of faith and have even the smallest amount of belief and call upon his name, I guarantee he will show up in your life like never before. Truly, I tell you, If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20.

I am saddened now when I hear and see others who do not have a relationship with the one true living God who gave us the gift of salvation. Which is not earned by how much you give or how nice you are but by doing one simple thing called “Believe.”
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬. That’s it. You simply need to believe. Now, that does not mean that you understand everything. It is knowing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. You understand that God loves you so much that he sent his one and only son, Jesus, to save you. Belief can be expressed throught prayer which is simply talking to God. He knows what we are trying to say even when we struggle. You can repeat this simple prayer:
Dear God, I know that my sin has separated me from you. Thank you that Jesus Christ died in my place. I ask Jesus to forgive my sin and to come into my life. Please begin to direct my life. Thank you for giving me eternal life. In Jesu’s Name, Amen.
If you prayed this prayer from your heart, please email me. I would love to welcome you into God’s Family as my new brother or sister in Christ. As well as help you with the following steps on this journey. You are not alone.

Accepting him in your heart would be a start, and the next step would have to be. Download the Holy Bible app and Purchase a Life Application Study Bible Large print, preferably. There are different versions of reading to understand the Bible. On the app, you can play with other versions to see which one you prefer. I recommend the NLT or NIV versions. I suggest starting in the New Testament, which begins in the book of Matthew. It takes you on a journey to learn all about the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and everything he did while he walked on earth up to his death and resurrection.

Now, the fun part begins with developing a relationship with God. The best part about this is that our God is not confined to four walls. The contrary is true. He is anywhere, and you can speak to him like a friend. It is different when you wake up early and spend time in a quiet place before starting your day. It sets the foundation for your day. I’m not saying you won’t have obstacles, but you can handle them better.
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6
Praying and developing a lifestyle of prayer takes time, but keep going. God sees you and knows what you mean and need, but he still wants us to talk to him and ask.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Another way to grow your relationship is by reading God’s word, the Bible. The word of God is alive and active when you read it. It reads you and speaks to you based on the season you are navigating in your life. I know that sounds hard to believe, but it is very accurate. Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35. He is waiting for you with open arms to embrace and be with you as you seek answers on navigating this life. Reading the Bible will be like reading no other book. As you read, I recommend when you get to a verse, a word or sentence that stops you in your tracks. Take the time to stop and re-read it, then ask God what he is trying to tell you. He might answer right there in His still whisper or answer while you wash dishes. The point is to stop and listen from time to time.

Another fantastic way to grow your relationship with God is through community and finding like-minded believers on the same journey. Seek out a friend or look into a local non-denominational, Bible-teaching church that will help build, encourage, and edify. All while confirming some of the things you are learning as you grow your relationship with God.
BEWARE: This is not supposed to substitute your prayer time or the time you spend growing your relationship with God. A community church should help create a family of believers where you can come together for worship, to hear a message from God given by the pastor, for prayer, healing, deliverance, and so much more. But I do not believe the church was intended to substitute your time alone with our Heavenly Father.
Look to the Lord and his strenght; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:11.

Heavenly Father, I Pray these simple tips encourage my brother or sister on the other side of this screen and that through this blog, a seed has been planted and, in due time, will spring up a harvest of fruits. Touch them in such a way that they know it is you. Give them an encounter with you so they can know you are the true living God. That is with them through every season of their life. In Jesus’s Name, I pray Amen.