If only God would just tell me what to do! Have you ever made such a statement? You really want to follow God’s directions in your life but struggle to see clearly. You feel like you are in a fog. That happens when spiritual complacency sets in. To clear the fog, we must develop a hunger for truth (God’s Word), go deep with God, and seek God’s revelation.
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son
(Heb 1:1-2, NIV)
Intimacy
Moses had an intimate relationship with God. He was God’s spokesperson to the Israelis as he lead them out of bondage in Egypt. Moses faithfully executed God’s plan as it was revealed.
Intimacy is much deeper than a casual acquaintance. Today, many Christians have a casual acquaintance with God. When head knowledge (or awareness) is transferred to heart knowledge (experience), then intimacy can take root. It is great to know that Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins, but it is far more significant when we experience that knowledge by trusting Him in all things.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
Prov 3:5-8, NIV
The other day, our pastor said – “Knowledge received and not acted upon is just information. Knowledge received and acted upon is faith.” Intimacy requires going beyond just reading the Bible, attending church once a week, and praying occasionally when a need arises. Intimacy includes transformational experience.
Transformation
The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 we should be transformed by renewing our minds. Furthermore, the Bible tells us we should draw near to God James 4:7-8 and He will draw near to us.
A marriage does not last because of a wedding ceremony. A marriage lasts because two people commit to be true to each other, to grow an intimate relationship and to flee from the life before marriage.
To change from the old way of life (before salvation) to the new way of life (after salvation) requires a continuous effort. The enemy (Satan) wants to keep us from having intimacy with God (John 10:10). He constantly reminds us of our past and tells us we are not worthy of God’s love. That is a lie straight from the pit. When Satan reminds me of my past, I remind him of his future. Jesus defeated Satan on the Cross and has sealed me through the Holy Spirit. Any person who is a child of the King is protected from the grip of evil.
Transformation begins with a conscious change of attitude. Every day when I rise, I must choose what I will believe and what fills my mind and what controls my actions.
I am a child of the King, filled with the Holy Spirit. My mind is controlled by the Spirit of Truth, not the father of lies. I choose to follow Jesus, not the crowd. My joy comes from my relationship with God, not the world, not my friends, and not my co-workers. I am not perfect; I am forgiven. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Gal 2:20, NIV
Trust me, my friend.You can have intimacy with God. This is what He desires. Nothing the world has to offer can match the joy that will fill your heart once you develop intimacy with God.
Thanks for stopping by, y’all come back now.
Tales from the WagginMaster 