GUEST BLOGGER APRIL: A TRUE Relationship with God- Praise Him through the good and the bad

We Need the LORD:

We are all human. And most things, we cannot do through just human strength; we need God’s help, his guidance and direction, his strength, and his salvation. We as followers of Christ must seek him and praise him as much as we can.

How many of us have such crazy faith that no matter what comes your way, you PRAISE and TRUST God 100% throughout the day in each situation? During trials and tough situations, we struggle with doubt, with faith, and we even question the works of God. But just always remember: HEAVENLY FATHER KNOWS BEST!!! And he wants nothing but the best for you. Pursue a strong and true relationship with God.

*James 1:2-4- Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

A special relationship

Many only call on the name of Jesus, or pray, or finally turn to God only when we feel that we need him; when we feel helpless. A special relationship requires time, sacrifice, commitment, and communication. For example, say you had a friend, a family member or even a significant other. They say they appreciate you, they care about you, they love you, BUT the thing is, your friend, or family member barely stays in contact with you. The ONLY time when they bother to call you or come to see you is when they NEED something from you, like money, advice, property, food, or shelter. Personally, I believe that I would be deeply offended because it doesn’t seem like a true relationship. I wonder how God feels, when I don’t take time out to talk to him during my good times, and only pray or bother to seek Him when I need his strength during hard times.

“God is a NECESSITY in our lives, NOT an option.

He must be our FIRST priority, NOT the last resort.”

Here is a song that expresses this type of relationship:

This song says “You say that you love me, and cant live without me. Then why do you call me only when you need me? Don’t wait until midnight!” Basically, the song is encouraging us NOT to wait until hard times to talk to God or to call on the name of the Lord. Strengthen your relationship with Jesus by learning more about him, taking more time to talk to him, and praising him more- through the sunshine, and through the storms. He wants ALL of us, not just a portion.

*Jeremiah 29:13: You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

During rain or sunshine, call on the name of the Lord!

PRAISE AND SEEK HIM THROUGH EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE

Giving credit where credit is due:

When something works out for us, happens just the way we want it to, sometimes we get so wrapped up in ourselves that we forget to praise the One who brought it to pass! As Steven said a few weeks ago: “GIVE HONOR TO GOD, AND REMEMBER WHAT GOD HAS BROUGHT YOU FROM.” After all that he has done for each of us, HE DESERVES all of our praise.

Here is my testimony:

            I was a young teenager when I was diagnosed with a serious autoimmune disorder that affected nearly every part of my body. I was so sick down to my bones that I was no longer able to even walk. It changed my entire life, and made me see everything through a different perspective.

As long as I can remember, I got sick so many times every year- at least once each month. I experienced migraines, fatigue, damage to my kidneys/muscles/bones, memory loss, weight loss AND weight gain, heartburn, and even arthritis. I was put on medication for treatment, and had to take nearly 4 months of physical therapy to regain proper use of my legs. Because of this disorder, it was even easier for me to get sick, and my body struggled to fight every type of fever, virus, infection, cold and flu without a proper working immune system.

I ended up missing a lot of school, a lot of work, and had to spend several days at a time bedridden, because I was in such bad condition. When I was diagnosed, I knew I wouldn’t be able to get through it without God. So I praised Him, I prayed asking for guidance and comfort to get through my tough time.

My doctors, and my physical therapist have told me that since it is chronic and incurable, I would have to live with this illness for the rest of my life. But GOD had a different plan for me. It has been several years without any symptoms of this illness present in my body. It is now April 2013, which makes it an entire year and two months that I have not gotten sick at all. For me, THAT’S A RECORD! It’s been over a year that I have not missed one day of school, and have not had to call out from work because of illness! This past season, people everywhere around me were coming down with the flu, had sinus infections, and the common cold. I’m standing there in the midst of them with nothing but strength, health and GRATEFULNESS in my body.

NO illness, NO medication and NO boundaries. Thank You Jesus! By HIS stripes I have been healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

For the past several months now, God has revealed to me just how GOOD each day has been!!!! Another day that he has blessed all of us with!  Even if I had to shed a few tears, even if I received unpleasant news, no matter the circumstance, I still consider each day a good day. Why??? BECAUSE I REMEMBER WHERE GOD HAS BROUGHT ME FROM, AND WHAT HE’S BROUGHT ME THROUGH. And for that, God deserves all my praise. He saved my life, so my life belongs to Him!

THIS is why I got to praise God all the time under every circumstance.

THIS is why I must put Him at the center of my life, and continuously pray, and seek His face.

*1 Thessalonians 5:17-18: 17- Pray without ceasing, 18- give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Prayer: Dear God. Forgive me for the times I gave credit to myself instead of giving credit to You. Through the good and the bad, I will praise you. During rain or shine I will thank you. Help me to keep you as the first priority in my life. Thank you Jesus for all that you have done, and all that you are getting ready to do. Amen.

*Psalm 146:2 (ESV) I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
 I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

Stay close to Jesus!! Be blessed, not stressed.

If he brought you to it, he will bring you through it.

GUEST BLOGGER FOR APRIL: GRACE