RELATIONSHIP ABOVE REVELATION. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURES - 2 Samuel 7:3, Psalm 2:8

Nathan replied to the king, "Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the LORD is with you." 2 Samuel 7:3

Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. Psalm 2:8

OBSERVATION

David has plans to built a majestic temple for the Lord. Nathan encourages him to go ahead and do as he wants because God is with him. But God interrupted their plans and gave clear instructions about His plan. But God's plan is much better and the blessings are greater. David was humbled to discover the favor that God had for him and totally surrenders to God's revelation. He understood that God wants to bless us beyond our wildest dreams. He wants to give us even the nations of the earth, if we ask for them and if we follow His plan to get them. But relationship with God is always a priority above a revelation from God.

APPLICATION
As I've been praying about reaching out and increase our impact beyond our walls for the church during this year of harvest, I've been very surprised by God's revelation. My plans were good, but His plan is much better. Ive seen the hand of God leading me to the right opportunities, to the right people, and to the right resources. I've seen the heart of the homeless ministry thriving in our community and I've seen His direction to take us into new ventures in Taiwan and Thailand. I'm humbled to see God's hand over my life and I want to remain dependent of his direction through more intimacy with Him.

Recently my friend Don Horner reminded me about God's way to reveal His plan for us. If God provides all the parts of the puzzle, our human tendency is to do it on our own without dependency on His presence. But when God gives us glimpses of it, we are challenged to seek him, to depend on Him more and more, and to trust that His plan is much better that ours. We cannot trade revelation for relationship. Relationship with God is always first. When we walk closer to God, He will always reveal His plans just like He revealed His intentions to His friend Abraham.

PRAYER

Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for reminding me about the importance of prioritizing my relationship with you over a revelation from you. Forgive me for being more concerned about revelation rather than relationship. Let me seek you more and more as you continue giving me snopshots of your amazing plan for my life. Bless our efforts in our community and give us the souls of the nations as we continue building a long term impact in the places where your hand guides us. Let me surrender my plans to embrace yours. But more than anything, let me depend on you daily and grow closer and closer to your presence. Amen!