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We were created for relationship! Relationship with God and relationship with others. As we look in the book of Genesis, we catch a glimpse of the way relationship with the Father is supposed to look. The way it was before sin entered into the picture.
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In Genesis 3 we see reference to God coming to spend time in the Garden with Adam and Eve. Scripture also tells us that Noah (Genesis 6:9) and Enoch (Genesis 5:22, 24) walked with God. God even appeared to Abram (Genesis 12:7). This was the intended way for us to be in authentic relationship with God. However, we’ve been living under a model of broken relationship and we are no longer supposed to be. With Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, He restored us back to right relationship with the Father. It’s time for us to grab a hold of this New Testament revelation. This new covenant relationship is now available to us. Jesus made it possible for us to have deep authentic relationship with God, just as Adam and Eve did and just as He did too.
As Christians we are Christ followers. Christ followers are to be disciples. A disciple follows in the footsteps and ways of his master. Therefore, if we are followers of Jesus Christ, we need to look at His life and live by His example. Jesus showed us what it means to have a deep authentic relationship with the Father. As we look at His life we see the key things He modeled for us .
The 3-C’s to Developing Authentic Relationship with God
1. Connection
We need to make our relationship with Jesus a priority. We do this by making a point to connect, with Him every day. This happens when we dedicate specific time to spend with Him. Jesus made time to be alone with the Father. There are several locations throughout the scripture where Jesus withdraws from the disciples and the crowds to be alone with God.
Jesus repeatedly left the crowds, though, stealing away into the wilderness to pray. (Luke 5:16 The Voice)
We can’t have real relationships if we never spend time others. The same is true of our relationship with God. We must set aside time and be purposeful about making time just to be with Him. He longs for us to spend time reading His word, being in His presence, worshipping Him. It is out of these places of being with each other that God will speak and pour out new fresh revelation to us.
2. Communication
Communication involves having ongoing, open two-way conversations. Jesus said, He only spoke what the Father told Him to speak and He only did what the Father told Him to do. (John 5:19; 8:28; 12:49-50) This models a two-way ongoing conversation. Scripture never tells us the exact conversations Jesus and His Father were having, but we know that He in fact had an ongoing dialogue. This two-way conversation is how Jesus received His marching orders, and it’s how we do as well.
Jesus: The truth is that the Son does nothing on His own; all these actions are led by the Father. The Son watches the Father closely and then mimics the work of the Father (John 5:19 The Voice).
It’s the same for us. I can’t image not have two-way conversations with the people in my life. A two-way conversation requires someone talking and someone listening. Then it involves a response and more listening and more responding. This is a natural, normal part of real authentic relationship. We need to learn the ways God speaks and tune in to hear His voice so that we can have an ongoing dialogue with him every single day.
3. Commitment
Commitment is about being “ALL In” with God. It means, we value spending time with Him always. It means we have faith in Him. It means we trust and obey Him when He speaks, even if we don’t understand. It means we value the relationship we have with Him and hold it in high regard. Being committed to relationship means we stay even when it’s difficult. Staying committed is a choice.
Jesus showed us what true commitment means in the aspect of relationship. Hours before Jesus was seized and put on trial which would lead to His crucifixion, we see Him asking the Father to take the cup from Him. However, Jesus says, even if you don’t I am committed to see it through, I want Your way Father. Jesus is saying, I love You. I value you. I honor You and will trust Your plans not my own.
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39 NIV)
Connection, Communication and Commitment are three C’s to developing authentic relationship with God. These keys are integral to any relationship, but especially our relationship with God. Jesus is extending an invitation and calling us to go deeper with Him.
YouVersion 7-Day Devotional
I am blessed and honored to have a 7-day devotional on the YouVersion Bible App. YAY!!! It is a great way to kick start the 7- days before my on-line Bible Study starts next week. I would be so blessed if you would check it out and share it with your friends. You can find it here: Be The Gift Someone Needs Today!
FREE Online Bible has Started
There is still time to join me and over 100 people for the Free online Bible Study. Read all about it below and click on the link to sign up today.
Have you signed up for the FREE Bible Study ?? If not, NO worries, you can still join us.
Week #2 video will be emailed on Friday Jan 25th, but it’s still not too late to join me. I promise we will have so much fun! To sign up, Click HERE , or just go to the home page of my website and click on the link at the top. Full details on the signup page.
Teaching Video’s and some instructions will be delivered to your inbox every Friday morning at 6am for the 6-weeks. Then we will interact and connect via a private FB group just for those who are doing the online study. In the FB we will discuss the Encouragement Activities and also I will host some FB Live Q & A’s. My goal is to be accessible to those participating in the study, so we can all be equipping in Stepping out to #BeTheGift others need today! Please consider joining me and the others who have already signed up.
This Week’s Top Clicked Post:
This line stood out to me and I had to re-read it several times just so it could seep in. “God provides a covering mist for us by His Grace.”
Again Welcome and Thank you for joining me for #TuneInThursday it is an honor to have you here!
I have had a few people ask for a badge/button to display on your blogs. I would absolutely be honored if you would display it, or link back here in some way. Thank you!
Now let’s get this party started, feel free to link 1-3 posts:
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Debbie Kitterman is a natural born encourager who is on fire for God. She is passionate about equipping individuals, so they can go deeper in the relationship with God, reach their God-potential and claim their Kingdom inheritance. Debbie is a wife, mother, author, pastor, speaker and the founder of “Dare 2 Hear,” a ministry that trains individuals to hear the voice of God. She travels to churches internationally and is the founder and teacher of d2htraining.com, an online course designed to equip the believer in releasing God’s heart. Her writing and teachings inspire faith and build bridges for people to believe and expect the impossible. She is also an ordained Foursquare pastor, currently serving with her husband, John, as senior pastor of Restoration Church in Lacey, Washington. Learn more at: www.debbiekitterman.com
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Do you wonder if God still speaks today? Do you wonder if He would ever speak to you personally? Do you long to hear the voice of God in your life?
Have your read other books on hearing from God, but long for hands on practical application? or are you looking for ways to move you forward hearing from God?
If you answered YES to any of those questions, then I have exactly what you need. I now have an online e-course designed to equip you in understanding that God still speaks today, and He longs to speak directly to you, through His word, and others. He longs to encourage you, strengthen you and comfort you. The training on this site, is fully based on Scripture, and taken from my training manual Releasing God’s heart through Hearing His Voice.
God is speaking, Can you Hear Him?
d2htrainging.com membership site is open, I invite you to check it out today, and develop a deeper relationship with the Lord, as you learn to hear Him speak to your heart.
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Several Submissions have been featured at Blessed Transgressions, an Online Magazine:
Balancing the Warrior & the Princess We’re Called to Be
Trusting God When it Seems Illogical
Will You Sit with Me? (Jesus is Calling.)
My Post: The Reluctant Encourager was featured here:
My Posts: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year & And So Do We! & Know Your Why & Jesus in Us! were featured here:
My Post #BeTheGift was featured here:
My Post “Climb Every Mountain” was featured in the August monthly link-up at : Life on Intention Link-up Party
My Posts: “Will You Sit with Me?” & New Mercies Everyday & Wait for it were featured here:
My Post: The Power of your Story, The Reluctant Encourager and #TeamJesus were featured here:
My Post “What’s in a Name?” was featured here:
My Post: “The Journey through Change” was featured here:
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Good morning my friend. Just wanted to drop in and say hello and God’s blessings to you and John today! xo
Thank you for dropping in Susan! and especially thank you for those blessings, we need them this week
Great insights, Debbie! You would enjoy the book I’m reading about spiritual friendship. It’s called Becoming Gertrude and is written by Janice Peterson (Eugene’s wife! In her 80’s and writing her first book after having served as a pastor’s wife for her entire adult life.) I’m only on the first chapter, but her thoughts on the importance of Caring are in line with yours today (as well as alliterating!)
Thank you Michele! I haven’t heard about this book, I am going to have to check it out. Will you be reviewing it on your blog soon? I always love reading your reviews and it always increases my must read book list. LOL Thank you also for the encouragement that our thinking is in line with each other, that is such confirmation. Blessings
I’ve recently revamped my commitment to my daily quiet time to communicate with God. I’d been allowing other things, “good” things, to creep in and take over that time. But even good things need to take a back burner to my intimate time with the Lord. Thanks for the encouragement, Debbie, to stay focused.
Oh Lisa, I so know what you mean about letting other “good” things creep in over time, I have the same issue at times too. I love that you have revamped your commitment. You are most welcome for the encouragement <3
Debbie, this is one of the most helpful things I have read about how to develop a relationship with God. Thank you so much for putting our responsibilities in an easy to understand format.
Oh Laurie, I am so glad to hear that this was helpful to you! I love know that, and you are most welcome. Blessings
Great thoughts. laurensparks.net
thanks Lauren
we aren’t meant to do anything alone, that is for darn sure! great post, deb.
Thanks Sue, and yep, not doing it alone is a thing I am learning. LOL
Yes to all 3 of these! I love it! It is such a good reminder for my relationship with God and with others!
Rebecca, I am glad you enjoyed it and think it was a great reminder. Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you for another delicious party! I hope your weather doesn’t get too bad. It really is winter in Michigan! Enjoy your week.
you are most welcome Marilyn 🙂
Thanks for the inspiration Debbie!
You are most welcome Roseann!
Wonderful insight! I really appreciate your insight.
thank you so much Julie 🙂 Blessings
So very nice. I am all for all three of these. Such great advice. Thanks for sharing this. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
You are most welcome for sharing and Thanks Patrick!
I love how you connect our relationships with others to being in relationship with God first. What we receive from God overflows to our other relationships.
YES _ You are so right, what we receive from our relationship with God overflows to all our other relationships. It helps me to remember this when I am feeling overwhelmed
Thank you for taking me back to the basics!
You are most welcome Summer. Thanks for taking the time to read. 🙂
Debbie,
I love how you infuse this basic teaching on our need for relationship with practical both the practical ‘how to’ and spiritual wisdom. Thank you for this great resource.
Thank you so much Elaine! My desire was to give practical and spiritual. Blessings