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Our walk with Christ isn’t about what we “Do” or “Don’t Do” for Him. Our walk with Him is about being in a relationship with Him. A relationship that’s founded on faith in His sacrifice, and is filled with His love, trust, mercy, forgiveness, and joy.
Our relationship with Him is about resting in the promise He has made to us. Do we have a relationship of rest with Christ, or do we have a relationship of obligation and constantly feeling like we’re mot doing enough?
What is trust is a relationship?
In a relationship, trust means you can rely on the other person…
- Reliance
- Confidence
- Safety
The prophet Jeremiah tells us that this is what trust means in our relationship with God in Jeremiah 17:7-8
What does a “trusting” relationship require of you?
- Family relationships; trust you to be loyal to the family, you trust the family will be loyal to you…
- Financial relationships; they trust you to make your payments, and you trust them to keep their obligation…
- Working relationships; they trust you to do your job, you trust them to give you a paycheck…
In the verse from Jeremiah, what did the stream require of the tree?
That is the only thing required of us if we are in a “Trusting Relationship” with Christ… We are to Drink… John 4:14
Christ said in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me“…
Peter said the same thing in 1Peter 5:7
If we’re in a “Trusting Relationship”
Psalm 91:1-2 tells us also what’s required to have a “Thrusting Relationship” with God…
These above 4 passages give us the answer to what’s required to have a “Trusting” relationship with Christ…
John 4:14 extends to us an offer to drink… Drink
Matthew 11:28-30 asks us to… Come
1Peter 5:7 bids us to… Cast
Psalm 91:1-2 encourages us to… Dwell
The single requirement for having a trusting relationship with Christ is being intentional with Christ… What do I mean by “Being Intentional” with Christ?
What is the result of being in a “Trusting Relationship” with Christ? What is the result of any relationship? If we’re in a relationship with Christ, then He is our refuge and our fortress. We can rest in Him and be just like tree planted by the stream.
How can we Rest in our relationship with Christ? Have you ever been in a relationship where you found rest?
What is the “Sweet Spot“?
The “Sweet Spot” of a “Trusting Relationship” is where we find “Rest“…
How do you find your “Sweet Spot” in Christ? There are 2 steps to finding your “Sweet Spot” in your “Trusting Relationship” in Christ…
First – Be intentional in your relationship with Christ;
Come to Him and drink from the fountain of life and unburden your cares and worries on Him, and make yourself at home…
- Come
- Drink
- Release your cares
- Dwell
Second – Repeat the first step whenever you feel “Rest…Less” in your relationship with Christ…
That’s it… nothing to join… or give… or read… no work to accomplish… or ministry to fulfill, or prayer to recite, or confession to make. Be Intentional with Christ just as you would with someone you trust completely and wholeheartedly…
By “Intentionally” being in a “Trusting Relationship” with Christ your life will change and you will be a fruitful believer because of your bond with Him…
Hi Jim – I love this episode. GOD is using you and it is evidenced by the authenticity of your message – your journey that you bring to us. Additionally, it was very good to see the notes or study guide. I hadn’t seen this before – I don’t go to your website to pull up your podcast (automatically downloaded from iTunes). I will use these notes for study again and again. Thank you and I Thank God for bringing you to me/us. Your friend, Greg
Thanks Greg, I’m humbled by your kind words. I’m convinced that God gave me the path I’ve traveled so I could share my experiences in Christ. I’m at a place with Christ that everyday is brand new to me. I opened my heart and life to Christ 43 years ago. In that time I’ve traveled the spiritual gauntlet and He’s been with me every step of the way. And now, after so much time trying to show Christ my love by doing things, I realize He just wants us to “Come to Him and drink from the fountain of life and unburden our cares and worries on Him, and make ourselves at home.” He knows we’re weak and broken, and powerless against sin & death. We can’t save ourselves. That’s why He came to this earth, to save God’s children. All who have faith in the salvation of our Father (the sacrifice and revelation of His Son, Jesus Christ) are saved and have eternal life. Our Father and His Son, want the children of God to “Rest” in our salvation not wrestle with it. It has taken me a long time to let Christ bring me to this realization. If my journey can help anyone else realize their rest in Christ sooner, then my heart is overjoyed. Christ desires our walk with Him to be reliant upon Him alone, confident in Him continually, and safe with Him forever. That’s the relationship our Father desires for us all. God bless you Greg as you walk with Christ and find your rest in your relationship with Him. Tell Elise, and your wonderful daughters, hi from us.