{"id":464,"date":"2014-06-02T22:52:47","date_gmt":"2014-06-02T22:52:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bermiedizon.com\/?p=464"},"modified":"2014-06-05T23:04:02","modified_gmt":"2014-06-05T23:04:02","slug":"are-we-plugged-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bermiedizon.com\/are-we-plugged-in\/","title":{"rendered":"Are we plugged in?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"lantern\"<\/a><\/p>\n

When electricity became available in remote rural areas, one woman went to great trouble and expense to have electricity installed in her home. A few months after the wiring was installed and the power was turned on; the power company noticed that the home didn\u2019t use very much power. <\/p>\n

Fearing that there was a problem they sent a meter reader to check on the matter. The meter reader saw that the power was indeed working properly and then asked the woman, \u201cDo you use your electricity?\u201d The woman replied, \u201cOf course we do. We turn it on every night to see to light our lamps and then we turn it off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Strange, isn’t it? <\/p>\n

Having all of the power that is needed and the ability to tap it all of the time but only using it just enough \u201cget by.\u201d We will never do anything like this at all because it just wouldn\u2019t make sense, right?<\/p>\n

In reality, we do this exact same thing when we apply the same reasoning in our relationship with God. Christ has defeated the world. He has demolished darkness. He is victorious. Death has been vanquished. At the cross, he said, “It is finished.” The resurrected Living Jesus now resides in the lives of His people through the Holy Spirit. Like the story mentioned above. There is now “power” and “electricity.” But somehow darkness prevails. Why? Because the owner of the house has not plugged her light bulbs and appliances to the source of power.
\n<\/strong>
\nSo many Christians today preach powerfully the saving power of Jesus Christ. So many have embraced the message of grace that took care of our guilt. Unfortunately they stopped at the the point of declaration. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not only about being saved or being made guiltless. It is also about the beautiful relationship we have with God. As in marriage, it is not only about getting a marriage contract but it is about the day by day relationship in marriage because of love. God is not just some static person sitting on his throne watching over us. God is love. God is active. God is relational and invites us to enjoy the fellowship with the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit.<\/strong> Christian life is a life of joy because of the connection we have with God.<\/p>\n

\"Billy-Graham-Portrait1\"<\/a>On different occasions Billy Graham and Dallas Willard have both expressed the need for the Church to go further and deeper in our mission. Both have acknowledged that the evangelical community has put so much emphasis on evangelization and the declaration of Jesus as our one and only Savior but lacked terribly on making disciples. Converts need to be discipled and to become followers of Jesus. Christians are not supposed to be mere spectators of the work Jesus is doing. Christians are to be participants, connected to their Lord Jesus following His lead all the way. <\/strong> Check this link: http:\/\/www.dwillard.org\/articles\/artview.asp?artID=134<\/a><\/p>\n

Haven’t you noticed that many go out of their way to go to church and to worship but have little relationship or connection with God through the week. That is why we go through difficulties day after day and only when we come to the end of our strength do we ask for God\u2019s help. We have the power and person of God in our presence all of the time but yet we attempt to get by on our own strength everyday. Aren’t we a lot more like the woman who wouldn\u2019t use her electricity than we would like to admit?<\/p>\n

Christianity is not just about declaring the message of grace, being made guiltless. It is also about knowing Who God is. It is about having a connection and relationship with Him so we can experience the living presence and power of God.<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Of course, the analogy of electricity is very limited. Electricity is just a thing. It is not a person. We don’t really relate to it. <\/p>\n

God is a Being, known for his relational nature and unconditional love. <\/strong> Electricity does point to power. With God’s person, there is power. There is love. There is compassion. There is healing. There are miracles.<\/p>\n

Moses had his struggles as God\u2019s servant. The Bible tells us that Moses called upon God at that point of wondering and doubting. I believe this story should encourage us. Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, `Lead these people,\u2019 but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, `I know you by name and you have found favor with me.\u2019 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” And the LORD said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name” (Exodus 33:12-17).<\/p>\n

God created all of humanity to have a deep personal relationship with Him.<\/strong> God literally walked with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Think about that for a moment. Let it sink in. God walked and talked with Adam and Eve. They were able to completely enjoy His divine presence. <\/p>\n

God\u2019s desire for your life is to have that same kind of relationship with Him. He wants you to be able to walk in His presence. A relationship with God is the most important relationship you can have.<\/strong><\/p>\n

How often do we feel the same way about church but are too afraid to say it? How many come into His sanctuary week after week yet having no passion for the Lord Jesus. <\/p>\n

Perhaps, we are not desiring to know Who God is? If Christ is the Light and we are in Him, why is it that some still live in darkness? Have we closed our eyes? Have we settled for the status quo and have become contented with the mediocrity that is there? God invites you and I to a Spirit-filled life!
\n<\/strong>
\nThe only thing holding us back from a deeper experience with God is us. God wants us to know Him more and experience more of His presence.
\n\"mosespray\"<\/a>If you want personal intimacy with God, take the time and come up to the altar of his presence and from the depths of your heart call on to Him. Through His Spirit He actually dwells in you and is waiting for you. Let’s get connected, plugged in and join Jesus in the great work He is doing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When electricity became available in remote rural areas, one woman went to great trouble and expense to have electricity installed in her home. A few months after the wiring was installed and the power was turned on; the power company noticed that the home didn\u2019t use very much power. Fearing that there was a problem […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":472,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bermiedizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/464"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bermiedizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bermiedizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bermiedizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bermiedizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=464"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bermiedizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/464\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bermiedizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/472"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bermiedizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bermiedizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=464"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bermiedizon.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}