It's About Relationship

Submitted by Jason

     Christianity is not about some formula or pattern that we follow to gain God's acceptance or favor in our lives. It's about relationship. As in human relationships, if you value someone or intend on knowing someone better, you make efforts to communicate and spend time with that person, often exposing the vulnerable side of you in faith that you'll not be rejected or hurt. It's the same with the Lord except He'll never reject or hurt you.
     Every relationship has different levels of trust. I think that if you're honest in self-reflection, you can agree that you've been both hurt and hurtful in past relationships. They can grow, deteriorate or sometimes come to an abrupt end.
     When we stepped out in faith a few months ago and began selling everything possible to *lose our lives, we knew that we were entering into a new season which would bring a new level to our personal relationships with the Lord. This is not a level that can only be achieved by entering the mission field. It's not something that is earned through works. I'm simply stating that for us, there was a relational growth that accompanied the decision that we made to answer the call of the Lord on our lives.

     I've been particularly enjoying reading in the gospels about the interaction between Jesus and the disciples. More often than not, the truths that he was revealing to them were difficult for them to comprehend, to say the least.  In John 14:11-12 Jesus tells them, "Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.". He goes on to tell them in John 16:7, "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor (Holy Spirit) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.". Then in John 16:12-13 He says, "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth (Holy Spirit), comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."
     In my opinion, God didn't need the disciples to reach the lost or show His might throughout the earth. He could have done it many different ways, but He chose to use people to spread the good news of the gospel throughout the nations. Jesus was an example to the disciples of how to minister effectively to further God's kingdom. Through Him going to the Father, He promised that the disciples would be sent the Holy Spirit to guide them in all truth and enable them to "do even greater things" than His own ministry of healing, deliverance and salvation. Access to that same promised Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth and enable you to "do even greater things" is available to "anyone who has faith in me (Jesus)".

     We experienced a minor setback a few days ago. The vehicle that we are borrowing while we await the arrival of ours from the states has been in the shop, due to transmission problems, since Tuesday. The Lord has turned this setback into good in more ways than one. Romans 8:28 says, "And in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.". We can have confidence that He's working good in our lives through all things.
     It's only through death can we truly appreciate life. After sickness we can better appreciate health. Through lack we can celebrate provision in a greater way. Through hatred we can know love. Through rejection we can appreciate acceptance.
     If there's one thing that I've learned this week, it's to know that God may use seemingly disadvantageous situations to lead us, protect us and display His love toward us.
     I believe that the disciples experienced this revelation at some point. They were told that Jesus had to leave them so that the Holy Spirit would come to enable them to minister more effectively. The time between when Jesus told them of this truth and when the truth was actually revealed to them is unclear in scripture and debatable.
     Be encouraged. It's my hope, and prayer, that if you're facing a seemingly disadvantageous situation in your life that you can trust in God and stand on His truths.

     Please feel free to email us with testimonies, prayer requests or questions. We'd love to hear from you and as always, thanks for standing with us in prayer.

*Mark 8:35 "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it."