Relationship with God

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

John 10:27-28

To have a healthy and genuine relationship is to know them. Not to know about them but truly know them on a personal level. Many people know Rihanna the celebrity but how many people know her on a personal level. When you get to know God's character the relationship is authentic genuine and real! Real does not mean sunshine and rainbows but real, raw and ever present. Talk to God like a person, tell Him about your day, your emotions. I remember being baptized and talking looking up to the ceiling asking God if He was there. I didn't hear Him for probably some weeks to a month. Often times we expect to hear him as a voice but He is not limited to communicating with us in that way.  Get to know God by reading the Word. Get to know what ticks Him off, what makes Him laugh, what makes Him cry, what makes Him happy. I am learning His character every day and I am still learn more. Ask Him questions and He will respond. My relationship with God will look different to your own but both are equally valuable.

Similarly to how you see and experience things and objects that remind you of your loved ones you will begin to see things that remind you of God. 

That maybe a patient parent reminding you that he is patient. 2 Peter 3:9

A bright sunshine reminding you that He is the light of the world. John 8:12

A red rose reminding you that He died on the cross with blood and thorns. John 19:1, John 19:34

I can share that my relationship with Him is SOO real. It is more real than any other relationship I have on this earth. He is one person I am sure about. I tell God how I feel and when I don't agree with the things He wants me to do or the things that He allows. He does not always come back to me and tell me why but sometimes He does. I don't serve God because He has a gun to my head or because I am afraid to go to hell. Honestly, that is how it started when I was baptized it was because I didn't want to go to hell. But truthfully if hell is where God is then I will follow Him there. I don't serve Him to get good things. I serve Him because I love Him and He truly is my friend. There are people who have died for the gospel who have lost their lives, their hopes, their plans, their dreams, their wills all for the Love they have for Christ Jesus. Don't get me wrong God blesses me and give me things that I pray for and even better and I thoroughly enjoy them. However, that is not the reason why I serve Him. I get to share in His pain, His sorrow, His visions and more. 

He is my friend. This life isn't the end and I enjoy being with My Friend, My God, My Creator. 

15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 

John 15:15

55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Acts 7:55-60

Like I said I am super honest with God even when He tells me things I don't agree with. I let him know how I feel. I will vent and obey out of love for Him because I know He has my best interest at heart. It is important to be honest with Him. There are times where I have said God your Word says that you have good plans for me but right now it does not look like that at all. God it does not even feel like you love me with what you are allowing to happen in my life but I know that you do. Through tears and pain I cry out when times get hard and even if I don't feel like it I know He is present. 

Jesus didn't want to die, He asked for have the cup pass from Him, not because He didn't love us but because He had a hard task ahead.  I do these steps just like Jesus.

1. Be honest.- “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me

2. Ask for God's Will to be done and put aside my will. -  not My will, but Yours, be done.

3. Obey.

4. Allow God to strength me - Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him 

41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him 

Luke 22:41-43