GUEST BLOGGER FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY: Getting Closer to God- Increasing My Territory

Wow! Asked to be a guest blogger – not only is it a compliment but it is a blessing!!! I love speaking on my testimonies. Through lifes ups and downs, ins and outs, its always good to reflect on what God has done for, to me, and continues to grow in me! I was interested in speaking on something I feel passionate about… increasing my territory. It reminds me of the song by Israel and New Breed “no limits.. no boundaries.. I see increase all around me… stretch forth, break forth… release me… enlarge my territory”. To increase ones knowledge and spiritual connection with God is a wonderful life experience – it is a journey – that NEVER ends.. and once you start  it you see life in a whole new world, in ways brand new.

I have always had a relationship with God – but I must admit – in the past two to three years the relationship has gone into a deeper love – something intangible. I have truly felt what it feels to be in love with someone… deeply in love, drowning in a spiritual relationship that I do not want to get out of. It is like I yearn Him. I yearn God – I want Him to have all of me… I want to be soaked in His spirit. Crazy feeling… that I love.

“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek You; I thirst You, my whole being longs for You, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.       I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and Your glory. Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands.                                                                                   

I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise You.” (Psalm 63:1-5 NIV)

 In my generation of young adults it has become harder. It is so challenging in the world we live in. Between everyday life, it has become a challenge in relating to others – unless they can relate to me on a spiritual level. The closer I got/am getting to God, I find it difficult to keep on to old relationships, and even at times to find new ones. There were relationships in my life I knew were toxic to my spiritual health – but I tried to hold on. For the sake of MY happiness (my flesh satisfaction) – and not for the sake of what spiritual influence it had. But as I prayed on it – I prayed for no boundaries for my relationship with God – for increasing. As I prayed on it I watched as changes took place around me. Things no longer entertained me – I no longer received satisfaction of living life in ways that are satisfying the flesh. At first it was scary. I had to ask myself, why aren’t these things entertaining me anymore? Why are these conversations that were so great so lifeless and dull?

It is because God wants to increase me. He wants me to be His worker on a fulltime basis. I cannot direct where my life is going or what is next – I have to focus on my relationship with God. And then I wondered how do I do that? How do I increase a relationship with the God that I already know?

READ THE WORD – I have to acknowledge my weaknesses. One being not fully indulging myself into the bible. I knew that it was the one way to hear Gods word – to read it. But I feared it. I did not UNDERSTAND it. So what did I do? Started going to bible study. While also enrolling in a at home bible study where I receive one on one study sessions on His word. I realized I couldn’t do it alone. Sometimes we think increasing our relationship with God is something we can do by ourselves. But it is not always like that. The support system – the spiritual team around you – is in your life for a reason. To encourage you – feed your spiritual growth together. I couldn’t do this alone. I tried and I failed. Now I have friends who send me text messages randomly – of scriptures – or emails – or inviting me to their churches or bible studies. It helps. It keeps me FOCUSED. I needed help from Gods workers here on earth. And what a blessing it has been.

PRAY PRAY PRAY – TALK TO HIM – Yes, I pray at night. A long and lengthy prayer. But guess what? Prayer has no time. So many times I am at work, in a situation where I just have to close my eyes and pray – even for 30 seconds.  Sometimes it’s the little things – a phone call, a text, “viewing something” on a social network – that can turn your emotions upside down. I have learned to pray and talk to Him – no matter the time location or situation. Trust me – a 10 second prayer can refresh you in ways no advice from a friend or family member can.

And lastly – I SURRENDER ALL – I have to give it all to Him. I cannot question Gods actions in my life. In order to expand – to grow – to fulfill my relationship with Christ I must allow Him to take complete control. When it comes to doubting myself, when it comes to insecurities, stagnant friendships, the hardships in dating and finding a lifelong partner, the doubts in my career, the influence of society, the lack in confidence, the answers that are not right in my face, the challenge of walking by faith and not sight – all that I have to give to HIM. I can’t do it alone. I am WEAK, I have understood and accepted it. I am weak I need saving and I need strength. That’s where my soul comes in – my soul brings me to God. And as I get closer to Him I must say this has been the greatest times of my life. He is mine and I am His!

“For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord” (Romans 14:7-8 NIV)

Everyday I pray that I continue to grow closer and closer to my King. Because without Him, I am NOTHING. “I see increase all around me” J

“As a prisoner for the Lord then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1 NIV)

GUEST BLOGGER FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY: SASHA