(1 Corinthians 1:9)
The most important thing in our life – THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN OUR LIFE–is our personal relationship with the Lord. You see, it is the only thing we take from this life into eternity. While our family is very important, our job is important, our service to the Lord is important, nothing is more important than our relationship with Jesus Christ. You see, who we are, how we live our life, and what we do in our life, all flows from that personal relationship with the Lord. I constantly remind you over and over how important it is to pray every day and read the Bible every day – it is how we stay close to the Lord. Being in close contact with the Lord each day carries us through the activities and many decisions we have to make. It can be the difference between using our free will God gives us, to choose to obey or rebel. Never forget, there are always blessings in obedience, and always consequences for rebellion. That time each day with Jesus can keep us focused and strengthen us to be obedient to what God wants from our life.
Most Christians I deal with each day who are going through problems or who are battling some sin in their life, have abandoned their daily time with the Lord. That makes sense. After having wonderful fellowship with God his Creator, Adam, upon sinning, ran and hid from God. We are the same way. When we are involved in sin or when we are not living the way God expects us to, we hide from God. We don’t pray, we don’t read the Bible, and we don’t go to church. The snowball effect becomes sin gaining an even stronger hold on our life. That is why the first step back to the Lord, the first step in overcoming sin in your life, is your daily time with the Lord in prayer and the Word, even if you have to force yourself. The reality is, even though you have run from God, God has never turned His back on you. Like the father of the Prodigal son, He is waiting for you with open arms.
Let me encourage you today. If your own personal relationship with Christ is not the first priority in your life, you need to get your priorities straight. Many in the ministry say their work for God is the most important thing. Many say that their spouse and children are the most important thing. Many say their career is the most important. Listen to me my friend. Everything you do in this life . . . your marriage, children, job, and serving God . . . ALL FLOWS FROM OUR OWN PERSONAL INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. It is from your relationship with Christ that you are in Christian service. It is from your personal relationship with Christ that you are either a husband or wife. It is from your personal relationship with Christ that you are a parent. It is from your personal relationship with Christ that everything in your life flows.
I love you and care about you so much. Know that I will be praying for you today that you will make sure nothing in your life is ahead of your personal relationship with Christ. Who you are, how you live, what you do each day, they all flow from that relationship. God loves you enough that He has made a way for us to have a personal, intimate relationship with our Creator each day. What an incredible truth that is. Don’t ever neglect this wonderful opportunity since it provides the very foundation of our life.
