I do believe its all about relationship.  I think that is the key to my spiritual life. My relationship with Jesus which leads to my relationship with God and to having the Holy Spirit direct my life.

For many years I have been reading a devotional called "My Utmost for His highest".  A friend of ours suggested the book when I was in my 20's and it was and is daunting. I finally decided the book was about relationship with Jesus and that has helped me in reading and meditating on what Oswald Chambers has given us to ponder.

I want to quote a meditation for April 27th and commend it to you on relationship with Jesus. The scripture for this day is Jeremiah 45;5.

"Are you seeking great things for yourself, instead of seeking to be a great person? God wants you to be in a much closer relationship with Himself than simply receiving His gifts--He wants you to get to know Him. Even some large thing we want is only incidental: it comes and it goes. But God never gives us anything incidental. There is nothing easier than getting into the right relationship with God, unless it is not God you seek, but only what He can give you.'

If you have only come as far as asking God for things, you have never come to the point of understanding the least bit of what surrender really means. You have become a Christian based on your own terms. You protest, saying, 'I asked God for the Holy Spirit, but He didn't give me the rest and the peace I expected.' And instantly God puts His finger on the reasong--you are not seeking the Lord at all; you are seeking something for yourself. Jesus said "Ask, and it will be given to you..."(Matthew 7:7). Ask God for what you want and do not be concerned about asking for the wrong thing, because as you draw ever closer to Him, you will cease asking for things altogether. "Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him" (Matthew 6:8). Then why should you ask? SO THAT YOU MAY GET TO KNOW HIM.

Are you seeking great things for yourself? Have you said, "Oh, Lord,completely fill me with your Holy Spirit"? If God does not, it is because you are not totally surrendered to Him; there is something you still refuse to do. Are you prepared to ask yourself what it is you want from God and why you want it? God always ignores your presnt level of completeness in favor of your ultimate future completeness. He is not concerned about making you blessed and happy right now, but He's continually working out His ultimate perfection for you----". ...that they may be one just as We are one...."(John 17:22).

Relationship is a challenge. It is work. And ultimately it is rewarding.

Blessings  Charlie Powell