Since I have given my heart and life to the Lord Jesus, I have found this friendship with Him is much like other friendships I have had and have now.... the key being to taking the time getting to know one another......because you want to....
Have you ever had a friendship with another develop so close that you can "almost feel it" when they might be hurting, or in dire need, or just down about life?
What makes my friendship with the Lord Jesus different is the rather obvious...I can't see Him...I can't touch Him...I can't watch his body movements or look Him in the eyes...yet...He is there.
Sometimes it is like having an "imaginary" friend (in fact, some think this is the case lol), or like talking to a "ghost". What adds a different angle to this friendship is the fact there is really no audible voice like my other friends have, no writing like notes or e-mails, no texts or phone calls,...He has chosen to speak and carry on conversation with me...through what I sense in my heart...and relate to me through "the quietness of my own soul".
The Holy Spirit also plays a part in the building of the friendship between the Lord Jesus and myself, and offers different gifts given by Him to each one of us to encourage this development of this...friendship.
It is different...and yet rewarding. There are times when I sense this friendship between us is close...closer than any other friendship I have ever experienced...and then there are other times...it's like I can't find Him or get a hold of Him...and the reason is always the same...I am the one who needs to "buckle down" and trust Him, for it is by faith we receive Him.
Another twist to this journey in what is defined within Christian circles as "A New Life" or "Being Born Again". When we invite the Lord Jesus into our hearts and submit to Him the right to become Lord of every area of our lives (this is definitely a lifelong process), we now find ourselves citizens...to a much different culture than what I myself have ever experienced. We are now citizens..of the Father's Kingdom. Not only that, but His Kingdom has already begun to take residence in our own hearts.
We are now citizens of His Father's Kingdom...yet I am still an American, giving full allegiance to my country, and living in a democracy. How does that all work?
I think the key is...having this friendship with Him...keeping my focus on knowing Him more...and letting Him show me how it all fits together.
I have grown up with the belief that democracy is the answer to most of the evils in today's world. The idea of democracy often finds its roots in a view that man is basically good, and if we act wisely together and make decisions that promote the welfare of man and the good of all, we will be stable as a country, as a community, and as individuals.
Now, enter being a part of God's Kingdom: In Genesis 6:5, the Lord spoke this command: " And God saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."
This is a contrast to the type of lifestyle I have been accustomed to.
I guess my point in all this as far as being a Christian is: Finding who I am in my relationship to God and His Kingdom, and being able to be an active and positive individual in the land that I love, America...and its foundation built on democracy.
I mean, take a look at one of Jesus Commands: "You have been instructed to love your neighbors and hate your enemies, and I now say to you...love your enemies."
Now, if this was up for a vote as in a democracy...I would vote against it...because I don't want to "love my enemies". Yet, in God's Kingdom....this is a Command given to us by the Lord Jesus...who demonstrated to us how to do so...and it is not up for vote.
And then, Saint Paul mentions to us about being "ambassadors" of the Kingdom....even in a democratic society...being an ambassador is big responsibility...
I guess I will "ponder " a little more on this matter.
Being a Christian...Following Jesus....Knowing Him....Relating to others.....hmmmm
Have you ever had a friendship with another develop so close that you can "almost feel it" when they might be hurting, or in dire need, or just down about life?
What makes my friendship with the Lord Jesus different is the rather obvious...I can't see Him...I can't touch Him...I can't watch his body movements or look Him in the eyes...yet...He is there.
The Holy Spirit also plays a part in the building of the friendship between the Lord Jesus and myself, and offers different gifts given by Him to each one of us to encourage this development of this...friendship.
It is different...and yet rewarding. There are times when I sense this friendship between us is close...closer than any other friendship I have ever experienced...and then there are other times...it's like I can't find Him or get a hold of Him...and the reason is always the same...I am the one who needs to "buckle down" and trust Him, for it is by faith we receive Him.
Another twist to this journey in what is defined within Christian circles as "A New Life" or "Being Born Again". When we invite the Lord Jesus into our hearts and submit to Him the right to become Lord of every area of our lives (this is definitely a lifelong process), we now find ourselves citizens...to a much different culture than what I myself have ever experienced. We are now citizens..of the Father's Kingdom. Not only that, but His Kingdom has already begun to take residence in our own hearts.
We are now citizens of His Father's Kingdom...yet I am still an American, giving full allegiance to my country, and living in a democracy. How does that all work?
I think the key is...having this friendship with Him...keeping my focus on knowing Him more...and letting Him show me how it all fits together.
I have grown up with the belief that democracy is the answer to most of the evils in today's world. The idea of democracy often finds its roots in a view that man is basically good, and if we act wisely together and make decisions that promote the welfare of man and the good of all, we will be stable as a country, as a community, and as individuals.
Now, enter being a part of God's Kingdom: In Genesis 6:5, the Lord spoke this command: " And God saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."
This is a contrast to the type of lifestyle I have been accustomed to.
I guess my point in all this as far as being a Christian is: Finding who I am in my relationship to God and His Kingdom, and being able to be an active and positive individual in the land that I love, America...and its foundation built on democracy.
I mean, take a look at one of Jesus Commands: "You have been instructed to love your neighbors and hate your enemies, and I now say to you...love your enemies."
Now, if this was up for a vote as in a democracy...I would vote against it...because I don't want to "love my enemies". Yet, in God's Kingdom....this is a Command given to us by the Lord Jesus...who demonstrated to us how to do so...and it is not up for vote.
And then, Saint Paul mentions to us about being "ambassadors" of the Kingdom....even in a democratic society...being an ambassador is big responsibility...
I guess I will "ponder " a little more on this matter.
Being a Christian...Following Jesus....Knowing Him....Relating to others.....hmmmm
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