NUGGETS: A strong relationship with the Lord is the most important thing in life

By Jannie Linney

The sign on the “Big Dog Saloon” read If our food, drinks, and service don’t come up to your standards, “LOWER YOUR STANDARDS.” Well, that is exactly what the world has told the Church, and we did!

We see in The Word “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life” [John 3:16]. We have the Greatest Message of the Greatest Person for the Greatest Life that a person could ever want. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” [Acts 4:12].

Most don’t even take advantage of the awesome privileges we have for our own life, and we are sure afraid to tell or even mention Jesus to anyone else. I’m talking generally of course. There are still a few “Bold Souls.” “After that the Holy Ghost has come upon you, you shall have power to be my witness,” [Acts 1:8].

We have to remember it is the Power of God and not us that causes us to be able to witness. “Now when they [the high priest] saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” [Acts 4:13]. Peter and John had not been to college or Bible school [which is good]. Now I’m not against education, we study to show our self approved. But it does not matter how much schooling a person has had if they don’t spend regular time with Jesus. People can be trained to make good speeches, but it’s the anointing that breaks the yoke! It’s the anointing that brings signs and wonders.

“But you see your calling brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called” [1 Cor. 1:26]. I have found that the hardest people to win to the Lord are the very intellectual. Because many of them think they already know it all. They believe that no unlearned ignorant person could tell them anything. “Because I have called, and you refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; but you have set at naught all my council, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh” [read more Prov. 1:23-25].

A strong relationship with the Lord is the most important thing in life. A strong relationship with Him should be our highest Goal. Seeing that our children know Him should be the first priority in the hearts of parents. Just think about it, ball games, electronics and popularity will not keep them out of an eternal hell!

“I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power” [1Cor. 1:19-20]. It is not all the big talking that is done, but His power in us as we yield our self to Him as a vessel for Him to flow through to minister to others.

“Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” [Eph. 3:20]. There is no amount of money, no entertainment or prestige, that is more fun than the Holy Spirit working through us doing what Jesus told us to do, [read John 14:12-14]. All along, us knowing that of our selves we can do nothing, simply believing in “The power of God” [not us].