Pursue

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah are the words we cry out in church as we praise our one true God. But is this a cry for help or a declaration of praise? As we walk through life we face many trial small and big. At times we can handle them on our own, but what happens when we can't handle the trial. Do we cry out Hallelujah exalting God for an opportunity to grow closer to Him through faith or do we turn from Him in anger?

How do we pursue a relationship with God? It seems intimidating, overwhelming, and probably awkward at times! I completely understand I have been there; living in shame, guilt, and loneliness for my behavior. But fortunately that is not the God we serve, He adores us despite our flaws and failures. So where do we start? Well, relationships take time! We all remember our high school days! The day to day survival of trying to make friends. It didn't happen over night! 

Relationships take time,sacrifice,

and encounters over a long period of time.

You want to encounter God, you need to spend time with Him. Some ways that I encounter God on a daily basis:

1. Spend Time in the Word:

Time and Time again girls ask me for advice. Where does that advice come from, the Lord. The more time you spend in the Word the more wisdom and discernment the Lord gives you, to guide you through life.

Psalm 119:115 [Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path]

2. When you don't understand, ask Him!

There are times that things don't make sense when we read. But God is a living God, that is why He has given us the Holy Spirit as a "helper/teacher" I know it may seem awkward at first, because you may not feel like the Spirit is responding but that is because you aren't used to hearing His voice. The more time you spend with a friend the more quickly you recognize their voice. The Spirit speaks uniquely to you.

John 14:26 [But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.]

James 1:5-6 [ If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.]

3. When you have a bad day, tell Him:

I journal all of my thoughts, bad days, good days, or even funny days. When I journal it is easy for me to encounter God because I know that He can handle my problems way better than most of my friends. 

Psalm 1:2-3 [But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditation on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.]