ALL

People often tell me they're trying to have a better and stronger relationship with God.  So, I ask them how they plan on doing it.  Most have no earthly idea.  I've learned, through my own life as well as with others, trying does not cut it.  An intentional plan is mandatory for anything worth doing.  So.  I recommend beginning by making a plan with ways to intentionally pay more attention to God.  I help list ways to intentionally engage more with God in their prayer life, meditation, study of  the Bible as well as participating in a class, small group, or something with others who have determined to do the same thing.  Being intentional requires accountability.

When it gets down to really doing something more to get closer to God, people tend to count the cost of their time and begin to feel pressured, guilty, and stressed. It's all too much to comprehend when we give ourselves to so many other things.  

The thing is . . . it's one thing to say we want to have a stronger relationship with God . . . and it's another thing to give all we have to do it. I mean, we're talking about God.  GOD.  In our culture we tend to think of God from our human perspective, forgetting God is GOD, greater and mightier than we could ever think or imagine. To continually give all to our relationship with GOD changes everything about life.

• It's not something small to get close to our great and mighty God, who not only created us and the space we live in, but who desires to have a close and personal relationship with us.  
• It's a big deal that GOD takes such personal pleasure in our desire for a stronger relationship.  
• It's our choice and responsibility to get closer to God.  One of the greatest promises Scripture highlights is the promise that God is always present and will never leave or fail us.  When we step into relationship with God we can be sure God is for us, God is with us, and the Spirit of God is within us.  The strength of our personal relationship with God is based on how deep we're personally willing to go.

When we cut God short with our time, effort, energy, and ability, when we give only a part of our heart to God, when we call on God only when we have a moment or desperately need divine intervention, we've turned our back on what God has planned.  It's a miraculous thing that God has not only forgiven our sins with complete love and amazing grace but wants to be in a deep and strong relationship with all the components of who we are and what we do.

Consider what Jesus said to be most important:
"YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND" (Matthew 22:37, NASB).

The word, all, explains the importance, depth, and commitment of what our relationship with God is to look like:
A relationship with God through Christ is all we need to have the best life.
Determine what needs to be surrendered in order to give your all.
Ask yourself, "What are the things that I've allowed to take precedence in my life rather than God?
Be honest.
Be real.
Love God with all of  your heart, your soul, your mind . . . your time, energy, ability . . . all components of your life.
Make a plan to give your all.  Do it.  Life is amazing when we give all to GOD.

 Learning to Kickstart the day giving all to GOD.
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)