How many know that there is a formula to follow if you want to have a baby? How many know that formula works whether the people involved love each other, care about each other, or even know the other person's name?

The instructions in the Bible will bring about results if applied. Good advice is good advice regardless of the relationship of the hearer and the speaker.

Some people say that you cannot make a formula out of the truths of Scripture. Well, that's not really accurate.The Bible is full of instructions that can easily be described as formulas. A set of steps. There's nothing wrong with that.

Look, here, at a couple of Jesus' statements: If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you, and this, Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. Combined, they could make a nifty formula for performing God's works of power. Apparently, some people were applying these words of faith - and they produced miracles.

Jesus, however, was not impressed. He said (Mt 7:22, 23), Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? ’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from ME, you who practice lawlessness.

What lawlessness? Weren't they merely following His instructions?

Well, yes and no. God honored the words of truth that He had spoken. But Jesus makes plain that applying the letter of His instructions is valued far less than to abide with Him in intimate fellowship - even if miracles are wrought. His heart's desire to know us and be known by us is supreme.

The formula for having babies is fairly mechanical. Jackrabbits, pelicans and people can all do it. The world has seen the results of people who successfully perform the procedure for having babies yet disregard God's priority that such 'success' be nourished and sustained by a committed love and a faithful responsibility.

Intimacy, commitment, fidelity, self-sacrifice, submission to the Holy Spirit; these supersede, encompass and fill up a common mechanical function with everlasting potential for a destiny of goodness. Such essential elements produce strength, life, hope, and great contributions to the welfare of men and the glory of God in the earth.

Gods formulas, commands, and directives can seem mechanical - devoid of a relational context. Though in fact, nothing He demands is separate from His intention for our highest good and His will for our perfect and continuous union.

God's command to be fruitful and multiply, was not distinct from His immutable will to all goodness. In God's construct, a mechanical act is always interwoven with His strong and unceasing favor. If you surround, infuse, undergird, and envelop the 'fruit of the formula' in faith, the child is enabled to reach his or her highest good for himself, his parents, and everyone he is given to influence. Our Father is ridiculously lavish in ways of opening us to His boundless rewards and astounding mysteries.

A right relationship wraps a formula in a context far beyond mere function and is essential for achieving the fullest intentions of the Father - the Creator and surety of effective processes.

A formula performed, a deed done, in union with the Spirit and purpose of its initiator, becomes a perpetual cascade of blessing.