Godly Intimacy

Through Salvation, we are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, regenerated by His Spirit, sanctified in our soul - our thoughts, choices and emotions - and transformed to walk in a new way of life (1 Peter 1:19; Titus 3:5; 2 Corinthians 5:17).

God gradually draws us to the ultimate realm of intimacy with Him. He enables us to step out of our humanity and to walk in the divine life of the Spirit of God within us (2 Peter 1:4; Galatians 5:15-25).

God's Spirit perfects us from one level of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18). He abides in our spirit, once He justifies our spirit, and then He gradually sanctifies our soul (Romans 6:6; 1 Corinthians 6:11).

As we decrease, Christ in us increases (John 3:30). The world has no more power over us, because we are no longer attracted by it (Galatians 6:14). We are also free from the power of sin.

We do not live to fulfill our passions and goals, but we enjoy our intimacy with God and submit to Christ as He accomplishes His purposes through our life (Galatians 2:20).

We do not even work for God, because we simply allow Christ to live in and through us instead. His truth inspires us and we are compelled by His love (2 Corinthians 5:14, 11:10).

We make Jesus the Lord of our life and follow His Spirit's direction each moment of our life (1 Peter 3:14-15). In our union with the Lord, we are one with Him in Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17).

We live, move and have our being in the power of Christ in us, so that we glorify Him with our every thought, word and deed (Acts 17:28; Philippians 1:19-21). He is all we need.

Prayer:

Father God, thank You so much for teaching us to walk in love, just as Jesus walked in love and sacrificed His life for us. May we reject the temptations of this life and live as a fragrant offering to You instead (Ephesians 5:2).

Remind us that our whole purpose on this earth is Christ, who is our life, and that to leave this world and to enter the next is truly for our advantage (Philippians 1:21; Colossians 3:3-4). We surrender our goals, aspirations and plans to You, and we ask You to guide us in Your will for our life.

Thought for the Day:

From the foundation of the world, Christ gave Himself on the cross according to the will of God, in order to indwell Believers and rescue us from slavery to sin in this evil age.

- Galatians 1:4

More Intimacy with God

 

I want more intimacy with God. I do not want more of His power to do great works, or more of His blessings to enjoy a better life, or more of His authority to hold a position of importance.

I just want more intimacy with my Father, King and Lord. As Desert Skies sings, “I want to feel His hands on my soul, molding me into grace, to be a reflection of His holy face.”

We do not have to perform some task to enjoy an intimate union with Him. We simply sit at His feet (Luke 10:42). We are human “beings”, not human “doings”.

We take the time to look into His benevolent face and whisper words of love or shout our gratitude from the rooftops. We praise Him and give Him all the glory.

We follow the example of the psalmist and sing of His excellent love, impartiality, power, goodness, etc. The list is eternal (Psalm 59:16, 89:1, 100:5).

One way to have more intimacy with God is to give God more intimacy with us. We can have fun as a child of our Father and enjoy spending time with Him.

We chat with Him throughout our day even about the mundane issues we are facing or the most boring of chores or responsibilities.

We ask His advice about hurdles we encounter, the best way to perform a task and about interpersonal relationships.

As we follow the leading of God’s Spirit, even our most insignificant acts of kindness or service can make the biggest difference in the eternal destiny of our friends, relatives, associates and neighbors.

Regardless of our circumstances, we can spend time worshipping our Savior and King, our Creator and God, our Comforter and Guide. This may not resolve our issues, but it changes our attitude and focus about them.

Prayer:

Father God, our soul thirsts for You, our Living God (Psalm 42:2). Our flesh cries out for You, and we attentively seek You (Psalm 63:1). You are so real to us that we can almost taste and see that You are good (Psalm 34:8). We love you with our whole heart.

Teach us to walk in peace instead of stress, joy in place of concern, and holiness rather than carnality. Give us Your wisdom, agape love, grace and mercy as we function in this life. Provide us with Your salvation, so we can spend our life with You throughout eternity.

Thought for the Day:

God rejoices over His loved ones with singing. – Zephaniah 3:17

Desert Skies: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Desert-Skies/56135996899

Intimate Communication

 

We owe our ability to enjoy an intimate relationship with the Creator of the Universe to the sacrifice made for us by Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:9). We were slaves to sin. However, through Christ’s completed work, we are now alive through Him, and He is living His life in us and through us (Galatians 2:20). Even when we fail in the battle against the flesh (Romans 7:16), His forgiveness is only a prayer away. God’s mercy is new for us each morning. With the rising of the sun He faithfully pours out His great love on us all (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Intimate communication with God is hindered by our sins (1 John 1:6; Habakkuk 1:13). It breaks our fellowship with God, which is only restored through repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Our relationship to one another can also obstruct our fellowship with God. If we forgive one another, then God can forgive us; however, if we refuse to forgive, our Father cannot forgive us either (Matthew 6:14-15, 18:35). This definitely hinders our companionship with the Trinity.

God’s mercy is no excuse for deliberate sin (1 John 3:9). Our lawless behavior breaks His heart (Genesis 6:5-6; James 4:17). Even so, He faithfully forgives our transgressions throughout our lifetime (1John 1:9). Even the mundane parts of our life, such as what we eat or drink, affect our relationship with God. Everything we do and say as self-proclaimed Christians is a reflection on God’s glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). That limits our choices quit a bit, but still gives us plenty of wholesome options to enjoy. Biblical Truth slowly replaces our former belief systems and we act accordingly.

God is just, but He is also merciful. The universe and each inhabitant of it continue to survive due to the endless grace of God (1 Corinthians 15:10). There will come a terrible day of His wrath, however, and the wise will pay attention and repent (Revelation 14:10). As we study God’s Word and spend time with Him in intimate communion, our understanding of spiritual concepts grows (James 4:8; Proverbs 2:3-5). We are less encumbered by negative attitudes and emotions, and the peace and joy of the Spirit fill our soul to overflowing.

As we learn to reverence the Lord, He gives us His wisdom and knowledge on which to base our decisions (Proverbs 1:7). Since the Holy Spirit conforms us into the image of Christ, our sin nature diminishes more each day (Galatians 5:16, 25). We are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our old carnal, sinful, hell-bent character is slowly replaced by the dependence and trust of a child of God (2 Corinthians 5:17). God knows each of us so intimately that He numbers the hairs on each individual head (Matthew 10:30). Our intimacy with God is a privilege to enjoy and cherish.

Apart from God we are basically useless (John 15:5). However, if we walk in the light of His truth, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with God and with one another, because the blood of Jesus purifies us from all of our sins (1 John 1:7). God seals us with His mark of ownership (2 Corinthians 1:21-22). We are not our own, because Jesus bought us with the price of His crucifixion (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Our union with Him is unconditional and guaranteed (Ephesians 1:13-14: Romans 8:38-39).

Prayer:

Father God, confessing our sin is similar to apologizing to those friends and family members whom we offend. Yet, for human beings, this is one of the hardest choices to make. Apologizing takes great humility. Our pride stands in our way and limits our obedience to Your directives. Help us to humble our self under Your mighty hand (1 Peter 5:6). As far as it depends on us, help us to live in peace with everyone (Romans 12:18). Keep us as the apple of Your eye and draw us ever closer to Your heart (Psalm 17:8, 34:18).

Thought for the Day:

God’s unfailing love is a priceless treasure. - Psalm 36:7