Dave’s Monday Blast – April 14, 2025

We were chatting last week about the difference between relationship and religion. At the core of most human conflict is a failed relationship. Before the fall of humankind back in the Garden, Adam and Eve had a perfect relationship with God; no conflict, no questioning of motives, just harmony.

Since that fateful day, a barrier was erected creating the relational divide between God and man that exists to this very day. Of course, men of INTENTION know that the work of Jesus on the cross was designed to break down all barriers. No peace with God = No peace with man. Scripture illustrates this truth by sharing one account after another, one relational tragedy after another where chaos ensued; this is the history of humankind and apart from Christ the harmony that existed in the Garden is not achievable.

Last week we began looking at four simple spiritual disciplines that are designed to mature our faith in Christ and by default, strengthen our relationship with our Heavenly Father.

From last week:
1. We must learn about our new family, i.e. the Bible contains all we need to know about our Creator God. I encouraged you to use a process of study that focuses on Discovering Him within every passage of Scripture. Refer to J616ROADMAP.org (This is our own Diana Berns’ curriculum).

2. We should stay in close contact with the Lord through prayer and study of His Word.

New for this week:
3. We must respond to what God has communicated to us. He’s given instructions for living and explained what pleases Him. In healthy families, people pay attention to each other. There is NO SUBSTITUTE for simply being present, available, and ready to listen.

4. We need to be committed to growing stronger in our likeness to God. Remember we are created in His Image (Genesis 1:26). We are created to be His Ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). As we cooperate with the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, we will start to think and act like our heavenly Father. We know this to be true as it works that same way with our human interactions. (And in some cases with Dog Owners!)

In Touch Ministries comments: “God the Father provided salvation through His Son, who died so we could become spiritually alive. Jesus set an example for us to follow: a life of loving, obedient service. God’s Spirit is doing His sanctifying work in us (1 Peter 1:2).”

It begs the question: Are we doing our part to keep the relationship healthy?