[The father] said to [the older brother] Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.

Luke 15:31 (NKJV)

 

A life with God provides context to how we live for God.

If we live for God without first learning how to live with God, our identity is defined by what we do, and how well we do it, and how God will judge us against certain benchmarks that reward or punish our performance. This way of thinking produces two opposing emotions, which can be painful and confusing. When we think we have done well, we feel proud ourselves, but when we do not, we feel sorry for ourselves. It creates a "yo-yo" relationship in which you believe God loves you one day but not the next.

A life with God prioritises intimacy over ministry.

It is when you look to God for who He is rather than what you can get from or do for Him. The relationship with God is transformational rather than transactional. By transformation, we mean having an authentic passion for God and allowing Him to work in our lives so that we truly reflect our identity in Christ.

A yearning for a life with God opens your eyes to the truth of His goodness and unfailing love, despite your flaws and failures, making yielding to God simple and light.

God always gives before He asks. In His remarkable parable of the father and two sons (Luke 15:11-32), Jesus teaches us that our primary spiritual posture is to receive before we serve. Our Father is generous, but many of us are poor receivers. This makes ministry and service difficult and exhausting because we are giving something we have not received.

Knowing your Father God's great and generous love opens your heart to receive faith for your fear, strength for your weaknesses, joy for your sorrow and healing for your wounds. In other words, rather than worrying about whether you meet God's expectations, a life with God prepares you to live an incredible life for Him.

What is God saying to me here and what must I do?