Communicating with God requires something called faith.
I suppose there are a lot of ways we could attempt to define faith - but basically it has to do with belief. We could even say that faith is belief.
There's a verse in Hebrews that I'll use to help define faith as it pertains to communicating with God.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (KJV)
This verse indicates that faith in God is a belief in the existence of God as well as a belief that God rewards those who seek him.
Let's consider communicating with your best friend for a moment.
There are a couple of things that you must believe before communication has a chance of occurring.
First, you must believe in the existence of your friend - What would be the point of communicating if you didn't believe that?
Secondly you must believe in some type of benefit to communication with that individual. It may be as simple as just sharing your feelings and feeling understood - that is a reward!
Both beliefs are required for communication to be established.
So now let's expand our thought a bit to consider communicating with God.
First you must believe that God exists.
For many folks this is a non-issue. If you're reading this you probably have faith in the existence of God. If you don't believe in God and you're reading this - congratulations on being open minded! I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything so enjoy the read!
I think the real issue is having the faith to believe that God rewards those who seek Him.
Here's why I think that: Many of us have been taught about a God that is to be feared. This God is loving and merciful but also jealous, and mean at times. I mean let's face it - we've learned that if we don't fly right we'll be sent to hell when we die - not exactly a belief that is congruent with being rewarded for seeking God - fair?
Somehow we tend to focus on the aspect of God that punishes and damns souls to eternal hellfire and lets face it - that's scary as hell!
So here's the question: If you are living in fear of a God that punishes and sends folks to hell - can you really believe that he is a rewarder of those who seek him?
Oh sure, you say that's what you believe - but why then are you so afraid? Why do you feel so distant from God? Why do you feel God doesn't hear you? Why are you plagued with doubts and fear?
This dilemma seems to be one of the most basic of spiritual problems. The writers of the Bible suffered with it. Read some of King David's writings - he seems to have been on some sort of relationship roller coaster with God.
How about you?
Something Jesus said seems relevant here: "Fear not little flock for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom".
Take your "fear temperature" if it's high - you're not really living from the place of faith in God being a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Ask yourself what you are afraid of. Is it a needless fear? Most of the time you'll find that it's something that hasn't occurred - doesn't even exist!
Why would you want to live there? Wouldn't it be much better - and more comfortable to have faith that God is a rewarder of those who seek Him?
If you live from that perspective you will find yourself seeking constant communication with God.
If you are serious about communicating with God, please accept my free gift to you - "7 Mistakes That Prevent Effective Communication With God". You will find it here: BeStillKnowGod.com You are also invited to visit my blog at http://www.bestillknowgod.com/blog
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