Prayer - the strongest connection possible

The world has lots of chaos outside the U.S., as well as inside. We know God has it under control. Here, for instance, is a good illustration of how the Bible tells us of the coming wars - not necessarily in order - which will occur, though it's possible the war of Ezekiel 38-39 will be during the Tribulation or that Isaiah 17 is telling about Damascus being destroyed naturally. But, Jesus also tells us that in Him, we can have peace - in this world we will have tribulation, but we can be of good cheer, for He has overcome the world.(John 16:33)

That connection with Jesus comes through the Holy Spirit, which is how He promises to live in each believer.(John 14-16, Ephesians 1:13,14,etc.) God is one God who manifests Himself in 3 persons because He felt it was the best way to make Himself known; this is the Godhead(Col.2:9) Those who know the Lord personally can talk with God anywhere, anytime, about anything through prayer. We can share with Him the innermost fears, triumphs, anguish, joy, heartbreak, everything. Look at how Jesus calmly accepted Mary and Martha's rebukes after their brother Lazarus died(John 11) for instance.

Nowadays, people seek connections which are much more temporary and at times much more shallow, as in the incredible size of Facebook and Twitter, and how people seem glued to their phones while texting.

Some is just the pace of things. The first person to say, "Stop the world, I want off" wasn't born in the 21st century or probably even the 20th. There is a much more intense increase in focus on computer screens(personal computer and cell phone ones) as opposed to normal bonding. And, that's understandable with the vast amount of information available - anyone can easily Google something they have a question on via their smartphone, or simply provide information or even entertainment to friends and family or to the whole world.

In fact, the Bible prophesied this. Daniel prophesied 2,500 years ago something which is no doubt true today - "Many shall go to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."(Dan.12:4) That "going to and fro" implies a constant flitting about like a hummingbird with a caffeine rush, going from place to place at a ridiculous pace. The increase in knowledge implies a continual increase, exponential growth in fact. This is certainly true today, with what we know doubling every 22 months a few years ago and less now.(Not that we're real close to the end - Dr. H.A. Ironside was saying the same thing about the last days decades ago. But, we're a lot closer than we were.)

(It should be noted a secondary meaning concerns understanding the Book of Daniel itself and Jesus as Messiah. It's important o always interpret Scripture with Scripture to understand it, and also when in doubt to go to the original languages of the Antiochan Texts. Here is a good example of how not doing so hides the richness of God's Word in the different lessons which may be drawn from it.)

Jesus - the calming, loving answer

This constant movement and increase in information can prevent relationships from being as deep as possible. We were meant for interpersonal relationships, but some don't feel a closeness to others because they are, in some sense, too wary because things seem to come and go so often, but also, trying to interpret the depth of things is so difficult at times because they are hit with so many other things, they feel an intense amount of pressure to do so much that they are, in a sense, backing away by having only computer contact. This lack of depth perception, if you will, leads to other problems, such as not grasping the need to keep some things private and not online.

The wonderful thing is that God provides an answer for every situation - and, His Word will give you security even int he most troublesome times.

Jesus bears our burden for more than just sin. He'll provide constant contact just like an online situation, except His love is so much deeper. That's the reason He promised that the Holy Spirit would come and live in each believer, in fact. God desires a relationship with us. This world was made perfect with no sin, but we lost that fellowship with God through the Holy Spirit when sin entered the world.(Gen.3) Once it is restored upon our trusting Jesus Christ as Saviouir, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us andwe canf ellowship with God the way we were meant to. Sure, things can come between us like sin, but when they do, he lovingly points them out and we can forsake them easily if our hearts are tender enough. This "Full House" fanfic, an AU where Michelle's accident is worse, is a great illustration of how the Spirit can work while praying and how such really heartfelt prayer can work.

This is why repentance is so vital for revival to take place, but also why I say it should be easy and anyone can do it. It's just talking to God. . Prayer doesn't have to be really fancy wording. It's just sharing your heart with God.

Sharing one's heart might feel hard for some people - which could be another reason some prefer online communication so they don't have to share what may be very painful memories and intense feelings. But, the key is, God knows what we need - He just wants us to be humble and willing to admit we need His help. that's why we pray when He knows our needs. If we don't pray for something we are saying, "I can do this myself."

The problem is, we are powerless against the spiritual warfare that is out there combating us, and we need His help. Those intense feelings that you might have, those can be shared with God and He will give you strength to cope, He'll give you a strategy for making things better - maybe the circumstances won't change but you will be changing so things can improve for some, such as an older sibling becoming like a parent in a home where parents are emotionalhy absent. and so on. Maybe you can't save the world but you can save one person, for instance. If you are that older teen, for example, maybe can lean on God as the spiritual leader - when you focus on others it takes your mind off your own problems. Indeed, I blogged a free book here on doing just that, being a spiritual leader in the home.

There is so much turmoil out there because of modern life, we need Jesus more than ever.

He will be the answer when you ask how to get through something; he may not heal all your physical ailments (I've had numerous handicaps since birth) but He will heal you spiritually. He is also the answer when you want a friend who will be there forever.

Jesus  called His disciples friends

Yes, He called them friends, and will call you friend, too.

This does *not* mean you can just ignore who He is - He is the sinless, holy, all-powerful, etc. Creator of the Universe. he must be approached with respect and reverence, but at the same time, He is willing to hear that prayer for a puppy or kitten that is hurt, all the way up to a scary battle with cancer you or a loved one face, or anything in between.

And, He will be beside you all the time. He will live in you through the Holy Spirit,a nd will never leave you or forsake you.(Heb.13:5,Jude 24,Rom.8:36-39) Each of us is only a single, sincere prayer of repentance to Jesus Christ away from eternal life, but that eternal life begins at the moment you trust Him to save you by calling on Him by simple faith to do so, believing He took all the punishment for your sins when he died and rose from the dead.

That constant contact with the Creator of the Universe is possible only because of His amazing grace, not anything we have done or could do. Once it's received, then of course like any relationship communication is key, but that will be so easy. You can share your deepest thoughts with Him and know He will never leave you or forsake you. You can read His Word and He'll speak to you, you can hear His still, small voice through the Spirit, and many other things I don't have time to get into. Just remember, anything you take in must agree with His Word, or it can't be from Him.

So, I pray you will use this chance while we are in the Age of Grace to develop that relationship with Jesus Christ. He wants to have a relationship with you. Indeed, His love for you is far beyond anything mankind could imagine, even the people of a century ago who constantly had those much deeper relationships.

To let Him be that constant guide, comforter, helper, friend, etc., it takes that single, sincere prayer of repentance something like this, remember the words don't save, it's Jesus who saves when you trust Him: "Lord Jesus, I know I'm a sinner. I can't reach your perfect heaven on my own. But, Lord, I know you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I believe you took my punishment on the cross for my sins. Lord Jesus, today I choose to call on you by faith to save me, come live in me and  make me new inside. I turn from my sins and I trust you completely as my Saviour. In Jesus' name, Amen."