The Value of a Personal Relationship

Greetings in Jesus Name again!
Just a quick note before I start this post. I've decided that my life will probably not get any less busy, and so I determined the other day that I just need to make time for this ministry, rather than wait for time to do this. And that goes for anything in our lives. We must Make time of reading the Bible. We must Make time for prayer. We must Make time for Jesus. We must Make time for family. We must Make time for friends. Time isn't our friend, so you must make time do what you want him to do!
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The Value of a Personal Relationship

All too often when a Preacher or Christ like person speaks of 'Personal Relationships' we automatically assume and understand that they are trying to convince us to get to know Jesus. And in most cases that is true. However, I'd like to add to that stereotype and note that pretty much every personal relationship in your life is valuable!

True I'd like every man, woman, youth, and child to experience a true, powerful relationship with Jesus Christ, but it is also true that if you can develop personal, close relationships with people in your life it will also be a great asset!

In particular David in the Old Testament, during his time before he was king of Israel, used his personal relationships and experiences to keep strong and make it through many struggles and trials.

1 Samuel 16 - 1 Samuel 30
You'll notice that king Saul's men understood the value of David's skill as a musician and warrior to Saul in his depressed and oppressed condition. However, that value didn't start over night. That value came from years of instruction from his parents and personal contact with the Almighty God in the time before we knew about David! Not only was David's personal relationship with God beneficial to him, but it was also beneficial to someone else! You'll be able to help others because of your personal relationships! (Especially one with Jesus)

Next in Chapter 17 David used his personal relationship with Jonathan, Saul's son, to overcome a great trial in his life. The two young men had become fast friends, and this relationship help get him away from Saul's sharp Javelin's, with which Saul had tried to kill David numerous times! A personal relationship with someone will also benefit you. You will undoubtedly need someone to help you in the future, or maybe right now. Those with whom you have personal relationships, I mean good, close, true personal relationships will be the ones who will really help you in your times of need!

I could mention a couple more, but for the sake of time lets go right to the last example. In Chapter 30 David goes home to Ziklag, and finds it burning, his family, and the families of his men along with every possession are gone! The Amalekites had come and destroyed and taken everything! This distressed and upset David and his men so much that they cried until there wasn't any strength in them to cry! (Have you ever done that before? Then you will understand.) It quickly turned into a stand off because the men's emotions turned to anger and they were getting ready to stone David. So, once more David called upon a personal relationship, and used it to strength himself, and figure out which way to go! This time David "Encouraged Himself In the LORD!" He strengthened himself in the presence of the Almighty, and this helped him get his head on. He then called for the priest, and inquired of God, which way to go. God said GO! They went and destroyed the Amalekites and brought their families back and many more possessions than they had before!

Personal Relationship are very important and valuable! You must have them to make it through this life. I do encourage you and everyone to find Jesus and get to know Him as your friend. However, while on your journey to find Jesus make some earthly personal relationships, and you will soon see that there is great value in being interdependent!

Yours for a Personal Relationship with Jesus
Pastor Fred