Intimacy with God

   

Jesus said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”  This is an utter abandonment of self to God.  Every fiber of our beings must be completely surrendered to Him.  In holiness circles we frame this theologically as begun in the new birth or salvation, anchored and empowered through the filling of the Holy Spirit in sanctification, and continued all the lifelong by walking in the spirit in perfect love.  This is simple and accurate.  But however you want to frame it, it all boils down to letting go of yourself to the control of Christ knowing He made you and cares for you.  It is a complete trusting of Him with every part of you good or bad.  Just as a husband and wife totally surrender to each other in private uninhibited unrestrained intimacy, we must surrender utterly to Him with nothing held back.  It is in this place of full surrender that real intimacy with Christ begins.

Footprints to Follow Series - Sermon 9 - Walk Pure

Listen as Pastor Rick challenges us to live purely amid an impure culture.  This straightforward message is spoken carefully in love. Please hear this message which seems more important than ever in our time.

SACRED INTIMACY

Listen as Pastor Rick addresses the sacred 7th commandment and discusses the beauty of Marriage in its proper context, describing how it is to reflect our relationship with God.

More Than an Introduction

How well do you know Christ?  I mean, really know Him?  I have been thinking a lot about this question.  Let me phrase the question this way: when you get to Heaven, will it be an introduction or a reunion?

For far too many of us, our relationship with God is cursory or perhaps entry-level at best.  We want to know Him just enough to get in the door: kind of like the friend you have that you know just well enough to get you tickets or a good seat in the restaurant.

But God wants to know us far better.  Enoch walked so closely with Him that he walked right out of this world into the next.  Abraham was called a God’s “friend.”  Moses was allowed to see Him in person and hear his voice.  Isaiah, saw Him and cried, “Woe is me for I am a man of unclean lips.”  Enough people in the annals of Bible history knew God well enough to lead me to the conclusion this is supposed to be the “norm,” not the exception.

Jesus went further, calling himself the heavenly bridegroom and describing the relationship of the church with Himself as a marriage.  Beyond this, Jesus commanded His disciples to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that the very essence of Heaven could flow through them into this world. These are concepts of intimacy.  Why then do we think we can or should live shallow lives devoid of His presence?

Instead of possessing the atmosphere of our lives, bringing our thoughts into captivity to the law of Christ, and instigating major change in our spheres of influence, we settle for “sermons on Sunday” and occasional “prayers in a pinch” during the week.  So much more is available, and I am in pursuit of it.

I want to have a relationship with God that is genuine and deep, one that permeates every thread of my life’s fabric.  I want to be on close speaking terms with my Heavenly Father.  He promised he would listen when I call and answer when I knock.  He promised if I would seek Him first, I could have anything I ask for in the name of His Son, my fellow heir.    He promised that if I would surrender and obey, He would guide and bless.  He didn’t say it would be comfortable, easy, or fun (in fact He indicated otherwise).  But, He did promise He would dwell with me, commune with me, and give me peace that passes all understanding. 

Imagine it: all of Heaven stopping stock still so God can hear the sound of your prayer; every angel pausing for the possibility of a new assignment when you knock on Heaven’s door; the throne room cleared to make room for your ascending praise when you lift it from your heart!  This is intimacy with Heaven’s King!

This is what I want: to know God intimately, not so I can be famous or successful, but so that I may breathe a whiff of Heaven’s air here on earth.  I want to know Him so well, that when I come before the throne, it is like meeting an old friend: not being introduced to a God I barely know. 

How about you?  Are you ready to Ask, Seek, and Knock so you can find this powerful peace ready to be given at the open door of Heaven?