Gleanings for February 19
Importance of our Communion with
God
Genesis 12: 7 & 8 NKJV: “Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your seed I will give this land.” And there he BUILT AN ALTAR TO THE LORD WHO had appeared to him.
“And he moved from there to the mountain east
of
The blessing God promised Abram had not yet come to pass visibly; nonetheless; he immediately built an altar for worship which seems to indicate that trust and true friendship with God had already begun to have a place in his life. “Worship is giving God the best that He has given you.” “The lasting value of our public service for God is measured by the amount of private communion we have with Him.” That is from the devotional: “My Utmost for His Highest” (I have quoted this author before): Oswald Chambers.
Worship includes “fellowship” which indicates intimacy—living in close communion with the Lord so you know what His will is for you each day. As this becomes a part of your life, you will sense freedom, liberty and joy that will go beyond just everyday “routine” which can become frustrating at times.
While reading a devotional booklet recently, this question was asked: “When we pray, are we devoted (mainly) to OUR desire, or to GOD’S desire for us?” It made me stop and check my own motives of prayer. One of the reasons for prayer is that we may get a better understanding of WHO God really is. I believe you would agree that those we know the best are people with whom we have spent (quality) time, and in so doing, trust has become a big part of such a relationship.
The words of Jesus, to His Father, just before He was arrested are a good example of prayer. It is not a selfish prayer although he did make a request for Himself. His desire was to “glorify God”. I would encourage you to read the entire chapter of John 17 that is where the prayer is recorded. Here is just a portion it:
John 17: 19 – 21, 23: “And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. I do not pray for these alone but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one as You Father are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”
God loves you as much as He loves Jesus. He desires for you to fellowship with Him in a close, loving relationship.
REMEMBER: THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH!!!