Fellowship with God

Here are the notes from the first prayer school during consecration:

How do we develop the fellowship with God?

1. We put our faith in God. Mark 11:22, I John 5:14-15
   
2. When we communicate with God in prayer, we have the assurance, the belief that He hears us when we talk to Him. 
   
3. The first step of faith becomes the building block for the next step of faith, which leaves that step with God, and steps out in obedience. Matthew 17:20
   
4. We do not put our faith in our own ability, talent or possessions. We must become lovers of God. Separating ourselves from the thing or things that distract us from loving Him totally.  2 Timothy 3:1-5
   
5. When our hunger is lacking for God, then our prayers are more from the head rather than the heart, and lack deoth. 
   
6. Fellowship with God should move beyond the mechanics of prayer, beyond just the principles of prayer, to the spirit of prayer. 
   
7. Our faith is not knowing the principles only, but knowing the person behind the principals. 1 Timothy 1:12, Phil. 3:7-11
8. Faith and fellowship with God builds a healthy relationship of one heart interacting with another heart. 
9. God intended for us to experience a prayer-inspiring relationship with Him while on earth.
10. More than just endlessly existing as a believer, but experiencing eternal life to the fullest.

Pitfalls (that destroy our fellowship with God)

1. Ministry - being driven by the role and making things happen, tempts us to forgo the "passive" pursuit in spending time with God. 
2. Work related duties - extensive reading and paperwork on the job compel us to forgo reading The Bible. 
3. Full time ministry - For some of us the only time we use the Bible is to counsel, sermon preparation and ministry work. The Bible becomes a textbook rather than the living Word of God!
4. Substituting our public prayer for personal conversation wit God. 

How to avoid pitfalls

1. Evaluate how much time you set aside to spend with God (is it quality time or rushed?)
2. Does my fellowship with God face many intrusions? (Setting aside the right time in my day to avoid interruption)
3. Measuring my moment in prayer with God. Develop a habit of journaling. 

Our faith and fellowship keep us connected to the Father. Acts 27:21-25