3 questions

I was asked two questions last night during the Wednesday night bible study at Calvary Chapel of Westmoreland County. The night's topic took us away from our normal study of Genesis, but was thought provoking and timely for the new year. So much so, it has spurred me to begin journaling again.

Question #1: Am I more Christ-like now than one year ago?
Yes and no was my silent answer after hearing the rest of the message.

Question #2: Do I follow Him closer?
My first thought when posed this question was, "well, if I'm not then I better answer question #1 more truthfully". But thankfully for me, I'd say a resounding yes. But then again, no.

I added a question this morning that I'd found in one of my previous journals.

Question #3: How do you define your relationship with the Lord?
This one stumped me. And if I'd not heard the message from last night, I would have answered it with bible verses and "Christian speak". Words and thoughts that make me feel better about being a Christian.

Last night we talked about our prayer life. This little church in Greensburg is spreading the Word and through it's faithfulness is growing not only in numbers, but in spiritual substance in the body of Christ. Now more than ever, prayer is required of each of us. And deeper than prayer, a personal relationship through prayer with Jesus.

Honestly, I fail at this in so many ways, and succeed in it in others. I do pray continuously as I know He's with me at all times through His Holy Spirit who resides in me. But I do not have a consistent time of prayer to lift up the important prayers in my life. It's become too easy to just spit out and throw up little prayers without much thought.

As we did last night, I look to my Savior for how to pray. I thank my brother Gary who taught, challenged us and gave us these verses.

"It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God." Luke 6:12
When have I gone off to pray? never. When have I spent a whole night in prayer, or even a whole day? never. The verse after this teaches that Jesus then chose his twelve disciples. He was bringing a very important decision before the Lord. He consulted with His heavenly Father before He chose. Instead of acting quickly with quick prayers, I'd like to commit to slow down and spend time in prayer seeking the Lord's will.

"Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart". Luke 18:1
I easily lose heart when I don't see how God is working. I forget that the answer to my prayers is in His timing not my own. This verse tells me to continue to pray, or I will lose heart. And I have many times. Prayer brings me back to God's will for my life and for others, again, His timing, not mine.

The other verses are Luke 9:28, Luke 10:2, John 17:5, and ones I'd add to these -
1 Thessalonians 5:17, James 5:16, and Philippians 4:6. I encourage you to look them up and read what the Lord has for you. You probably have your own too. Please share those in response to this post.

"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment." Philippians 1:9.

Happy new year,
Sarah (DIG)