Everything we have need of flows from one place, a relationship with God. Jesus said in John 15:5. “I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
We read book after book about formulas to getting a breakthrough. We are told if we do what so and so did, we will see the results they saw. Most times, it does not work. Then we become disappointed and can’t figure out why it didn’t work for us. Here is why. Apart from HIM we can do nothing. If it is not the way He wants us to do it, it won’t work for us.
It is for this reason we are told…
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
If we are going to see breakthrough, we must seek Him first. He must seek His way of doing things. His way for someone else may not be His way for you. The only way you will know that is to seek His face. To seek His plan for you.
Jesus said a prayer for us, all of us. The reason for this prayer is that He knew by experience that a relationship with God was vital. Jesus and God are one. Their relationship could not have been closer.
The great news is through this awesome prayer – we have the same opportunity to have such a relationship with God. We can be one with God and Jesus.
Jesus prayed…. “That all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one.” John 17:21-22
There is no closer relationship than becoming one. It is in becoming one with God that causes seeds to be planted. It is in becoming one with God that conceives and births miracles in our lives. It is in becoming one with God that everything we could ever need is brought to fruition.
Without this – we are simply trying to make it work in our own strength.
Paul said. “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” Philippians 3:9-10
As well as Paul knew Jesus, he longed to know Him more. He knew that was the ultimate key to everything. Knowing Him. Being found in Him.
Friends, we can try formulas. We can read every book on the market or listen to every message. We can try to emulate them and get the same results. Most times, it will not work. There is one thing that will cause us to walk in all God has for us. That it is to know Him. To cultivate an intimate relationship with Him.
Giving, tithing, declaring, loving, helping others…all these things are part of our Christian walk. These are all good things. All these things will help bring the blessings of God. Yet, the truth remains…one thing is needed. This one thing must come first.
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:40-42
Working for God is good. Doing His work is good. But one thing is needed. And if you choose that one thing; it will not be taken from you. That one thing is sitting at the feet of Jesus and cultivating an intimate relationship with Him.
Today I want to leave you with one of the scriptures we looked at. Yet, in a different translation. It is in Philippians 3, in the Passion translation.
My passion is to be consumed with Him and not clinging to my own “righteousness” based in keeping the written Law. My “righteousness” will be His, based on the faithfulness of Jesus Christ—the very righteousness that comes from God. And I continually long to know the wonders of Jesus more fully and to experience the overflowing power of his resurrection working in me.
May our desire become to be consumed with Him. Not clinging to our own righteousness but to His faithfulness. This comes from one thing: knowing God intimately.
May we know Him.
