Intimacy With God

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  Philippians 3:10 "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death." KJV.

   

   

  Intimacy goes beyond abstract knowledge of God or facts about Him, but know Him personally and intimately. The Apostle Paul was not referring to mere intellectual knowledge; he was talking about having a relationship with God on a personal level, enjoying friendship and communion, having a special intimacy with Him. Intimacy with God is the Christians goal.

   

   

  God has always called His people to intimacy with Him. From Genesis to Revelation. God calls His sons and daughters to enter into and enjoy a close relationship with Him.

   

   

  Hebrews 10:19-22 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. KJV.

   

   

  The writer of Hebrews spoke of the worship that took place in the tent meeting. They did not have the freedom of approach. They had to travel to Jerusalem. But now, at any time, anywhere, every Christian has the privilege and opportunity of intimacy with the heavenly Father.

   

   

  Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. KJV.

   

   

  It is true that God is not very far from any of us. The Apostle Paul spoke of God's nearness.

   

   

  Acts 17:25-29 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us; 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. KJV.

   

   

  But how is intimacy developed? Does it happen by accident? Is a deep relationship with God possible without any activity on your part? We need to be involved in specific spiritual activities on a daily basis if we want to walk close to God.

   

   

  We have an almost glorified view of the faith of the ancients and are forever putting them up on a spiritual pedestal. For some reason, many of us have come to believe that only they could have an intimate relationship with God. We have convinced ourselves and each other that people who lived in biblical times were somehow different than those of us living today.

   

   

  The great desire of God is for His people to know Him personally - intimately.

   

   

  Passionate Pursuit

   

  "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" Jeremiah 29:13.

  Intimacy with God happens not by chance but by choice. It demands that we pursue God passionately, removing from our lives that which hinders our relationship with Him the good, as well as the bad for the "good", sometimes becomes the enemy of the "best."

  "If we do not have a hunger for God, we must pray for a hunger for Him. A simple but powerful prayer to pray is 'draw me.' I pray for the King to bring me into His chambers (Song of Solomon 1:4) that I would be one with whom He can share the secrets of His heart (Psalm 25:14)."

  We draw near to God through a disciplined life. The spiritual disciplines, though not a means in themselves, prepare our hearts for intimate communion with the lover of our souls. There are spiritual disciplines three ways: inward-meditation, prayer, fasting, and study; outward-simplicity, solitude, submission, and service; and corporate confession, worship, guidance, and celebration. Regardless of how we classify them, the key lies in their regular practice.

  Consistent Prayer

   

  "Pray without ceasing" 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV

  Intimacy with God requires consistent prayer, in all of its multifaceted beauty--praise, worship, petition, intercession, confession, and supplication. Prayer becomes the language of love, ushering us into the presence of God, where we hear His voice and feel His heart.

  We must enter that place of quiet listening, where we learn to hear the heart and voice of God. It is important that we get still to wait on God. And it is best that we get alone, preferably with our Bible outspread before us. Then if we will we may draw near to God and begin to hear Him speak to us in our hearts.

  God's Word tells us that He desires "truth in the inner parts" Psalm 51:6), requiring that we come to Him with our authentic selves, stripped of pretense, our hearts exposed and vulnerable. Anything less hinders our intimacy with God.

  Powerful Works

   

  "But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits" Daniel 11:32 KJV.

  As we linger in God's presence, our desires are transformed; His heart's desires become ours. In this place of intimacy, we receive our "marching orders," an understanding of that divine destiny prepared for us from before the foundations of the world. From the inner chamber, we are "sent out," like the disciples of old, empowered by His Spirit to win the lost for Christ.

  I have often wondered why so few enter into true intimacy with God. I believe it's because it comes with a price: death to the flesh and our prideful ways. It requires discipline and devotion, culling from our lives those things that bear little fruit for eternity yet demand large chunks of physical and emotional reserves. It means rearranging our schedules and our priorities so that we can devote time to the pursuit of God, seeking His plan and purpose for our lives.

  Conclusion

   

  Are you putting off nurturing an intimate relationship with God? He invites you into His inner chamber, where you will be strengthened in your faith, affirmed in His love, and sent out in the power of His Holy Spirit.

  How will you respond?

   

  Laying before the Lord as the sunlight streams in and my soul lies's bare before Him. It seems this is when He enjoys using me the best when I am emptied of all that is me. Room for only Him! The thick presence of the Lord has consumed my space.This room is a sanctuary, and I cannot leave His abode as the sounds of Heaven wash over me. I live for this … for Him. I have tasted. I have seen. I can say I am desperately addicted to him, his presence, his glory! This is the One I know, the One whom I love, and the One I serve with my whole heart, mind, soul, strength, and being. Intimacy is what I desire and cannot live without His.

  I am so wrecked by the Holy Ghost right now that it will be a miracle if I can type these words. His love collides with every cell and fiber of your being. This love changes you. See, this love is beyond. This love is life and healing. This love knows you.This love created you, every single perfect and misunderstood piece of you. This loves weeps over you.

  You have been broken. You have been destroyed, hurt, and confused. You have not lived the life you “should” have or the life you thought you would live. You have fallen … and fallen … and fallen. You know Rock Bottom by name.The tapestry of your life has been torn. Your journey has doors that have no keys. Your hallways have been long and dark, with scattered light, but seemed hopeless. Your mountains are filled with chaos, yet the summit keeps you climbing … and aching … and bleeding … because all you want to do is see that glorious sunrise at the top. Beloved, God is showing me that He is desperately longing to connect … deeply, intimately … with you, with His children, with His hurting ones … with His broken ones, with the beautiful messes. He wants to come down into your pool of tears and sit with you. One-on-one … to be with you, to hear you, to see you, to comfort you, and to love you. Beloved, He wants to heal you. And His presence alone is enough. Believe me.

  It is the climb and the mountain and your Intimacy with God … with the Lover of our Souls, with the Creator of our human hearts, with the Dreamer of our dreams, this is what moves us forward in this thing called life. It is also what frees us from our past. Most importantly, this intimacy is what holds us in the NOW. At any moment, this flame could burn out. This life spark we have on this little rock we call Earth could be over. Tomorrow is not promised, Nor is the next hour. It is all about the NOW. Experiencing His passion, being enshrouded by His truth, and receiving His touch every moment of every day. Every moment spent with Him, he totally rearranges our DNA! God is going to meet you in the secret place in a powerful way. The battles you have fought for so long even for years will dissipate in His radiant glory and light. The burdens and struggles will be lifted, and you will be free to soar.

  There is a new grace, Beloved, A NOW GRACE! The Father invites you to come a little closer and gaze upon Him for He has some things He needs you to see. This new, NOW grace for intimacy is a rare blessing from our beautiful God. Get ready to experience Him in mighty ways in the days ahead!