TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY
NOVEMBER 15, 2013.
RELATIONSHIPS
DEFINITION:
Kinship; the connection between
man and God.
SCRIPTURE:
There was a man of the
Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night
and said to Him: Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no
one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him" Jesus answered
and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again;
he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:1-3.
FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT
HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH
BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. John 3:16
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
People often confuse RELIGION
with having a "RELATIONSHIP" with God. We cannot have a RELATIONSHIP
with God through Jesus Christ by what we do. Keeping certain rituals that one
feels is RELIGION, such as doing good, being kind, helping a neighbor, feeding
the poor, going to church will not give a person a RELATIONSHIP with God here
on earth or eternal life in heaven.
Jesus said to Nicodemus that
unless one is "BORN AGAIN" he cannot see the kingdom of God. Being
"BORN AGAIN" begins a RELATIONSHIP with God through His Son Jesus. We
are born again when we acknowledge we are sinners and receive Jesus Christ into
our heart as our Savior. Beyond a doubt we believe that this is the most
important decision one can make in life.
The source of our salvation is
Jesus. It is written in Ephesians 2:8-9 that we are saved (born again) by faith
and that not of ourselves. We are told that it is the gift of God, NOT OF
WORKS, less any man should boast. Those who are saved have not just a
relationship with God but a family relationship with Him. John 1:12 states that
ALL who receive Jesus become children of God. Thus it is clear that those who
accept Jesus as their Savior --- because He paid our penalty for our sins ---
have a RELATIONSHIP with God which is much different than being RELIGIOUS.
The Bible does make it very
clear that whoever believes in Jesus will not perish but will have everlasting
life (John 3:16 above). This RELATIONSHIP with God is guaranteed to all who
accept and believe in Jesus, God's Son. Being RELIGIOUS or not being RELIGIOUS
makes no difference in where one spends eternity. Our choice is simple ---
accept Jesus and have a RELATIONSHIP with God and spend an eternity in Heaven
or being just RELIGIOUS without a RELATIONSHIP and spend an eternity in Hell.
We urge you today to accept
Jesus as your Savior by simply praying and asking Him to forgive your sins and
come into your heart just as Jesus explained to Nicodemus some 2000 years ago.
It is the same message today as it was when Jesus talked to Nicodemus. It is
just that simple! Then you will have a RELATIONSHIP with God through Jesus
Christ which will last for eternity.
I had the privilege for three
summers while going to college to work for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Film
Association. This film ministry became a time of learning for me to show people
of all ages how to have a personal RELATIONSHIP with God. During these three
summers in over 270 different Church meetings night after night I was
introducing hundreds of children, youth and adults to a new RELATIONSHIP with
God through Jesus Christ.
At the end of each film showing
an invitation was extended to all who were attending, just as Billy Graham
always gave in his crusades, to accept Jesus as Savior. Then I would sit down
with the many that responded to the invitation each night and lead them one at
a time to this new RELATIONSHIP with God through Jesus Christ. This was an
experience that changed my life and because of this opportunity and several
other experiences, God led us into the ministry life which we have enjoyed
together now for 54 years.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week
is found in II Corinthians 2:9a.
My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is perfected in weakness.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, help me to recognize
those things in my life that are hindering my relationship with You. Forgive me
of my sins and make today the day that I solidify my relationship with God.
Help my family to realize that there is no more important relationship in life
than our relationship with God.
