Jan 11

While lying in bed one night, the Lord revealed to me three types of relationships that his people can have with him.

You might wonder if it is not strange that I should learn something from the Lord in the middle of the night. Not at all. Perhaps the mind is quieter then and thus more sensitive to the Spirit's voice; I don't know. But whatever the reason, it is not unusual for God's children to hear him speak to them in the night hours.

"My sheep listen to my voice" (John 10:27).
"On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night" (Psalm 63:6).

At any rate, I somehow became aware of these three types of relationships with the Lord. As you might expect, the first is the introductory one of coming to Christ for salvation, of being born again. It is the birth process and the establishment of a relationship at all. This is also the most common relationship of the three because everyone who has a relationship with the Lord at all must pass through it to reach the other two, which are deeper and more advanced.

The second reason why this is the most common type of relationship is that not everyone wants to go on to achieve the more advanced relationships. Not everyone wants to endure the discipline it takes to reach the other two. It can be as simple a discipline as reading a devotion such as this every day. That, at least, is a start to the deeper life in Christ.

Scripture for today: Matthew 4:18-24
Thought for today: The longest journey begins with a single step.
Prayer for today: Lord, I have taken that first step, in response to the working of your Holy Spirit. I ask this same Holy Spirit to continue his work in me, that I might grow and have a deeper relationship with you. Amen.

JAN 11