050 – October 2007
INTIMACY WITH GOD
If someone asked you to describe the personality and the character of a casual acquaintance, you might respond, “Well, she seems to be a very nice person. Uh, whenever I meet her, she has a nice smile. Um, I don’t really know her that well.”
Contrarily, if someone asked you to describe your wife, husband, son, daughter, or someone else that you love dearly, you would respond, “Oh, she’s wonderful! She’s caring and kind and giving and … I could go on all day! How much time do you have?”
The difference is in the amount of time and the times that you have shared with that person.
I believe that God wants a personal relationship with us and, think about it, our depth of response to “Describe God!” would vary due to the amount of time and the times that we have shared with Him.
The Bible speaks often of the importance of a “morning watch” … a time of one-on-one with God. This is a time that you spend seeking intimacy with Him.
Ps 5:3 “My voice shall thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”
Devote a time each morning to talk with God. It is easier than you might think to find a quiet place, close your eyes, and concentrate on Him. It is a time of prayer that includes the following:
* Thanksgiving – There is a lot to be thankful for.
* Praise - God “… inhabits the praises of His people.”
* Confession – Acknowledge and disburden your offences.
* Intercession – Praying for others.
* Petition – Praying for yourself.
* Listen – Don’t do all the talking. Use spiritual ears to hear His voice.
* Read – Open your Bible, for faith comes from hearing … the Word of God.
* Speak – Preach some of the things that you just read. Speak words of faith … Out loud!
* Meditate – Ponder your time. Close your eyes and feel His presence.
* Praise – End with praise (expecting to feel His presence throughout the day.)
Verse 1 and the chorus from my Mom’s favorite hymn, In the Garden:
I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses.
And He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.e tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.
I have enclosed a cue card for your convenience.
INTIMACY WITH GOD
If someone asked you to describe the personality and the character of a casual acquaintance, you might respond, “Well, she seems to be a very nice person. Uh, whenever I meet her, she has a nice smile. Um, I don’t really know her that well.”
Contrarily, if someone asked you to describe your wife, husband, son, daughter, or someone else that you love dearly, you would respond, “Oh, she’s wonderful! She’s caring and kind and giving and … I could go on all day! How much time do you have?”
The difference is in the amount of time and the times that you have shared with that person.
I believe that God wants a personal relationship with us and, think about it, our depth of response to “Describe God!” would vary due to the amount of time and the times that we have shared with Him.
The Bible speaks often of the importance of a “morning watch” … a time of one-on-one with God. This is a time that you spend seeking intimacy with Him.
Ps 5:3 “My voice shall thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”
Devote a time each morning to talk with God. It is easier than you might think to find a quiet place, close your eyes, and concentrate on Him. It is a time of prayer that includes the following:
* Thanksgiving – There is a lot to be thankful for.
* Praise - God “… inhabits the praises of His people.”
* Confession – Acknowledge and disburden your offences.
* Intercession – Praying for others.
* Petition – Praying for yourself.
* Listen – Don’t do all the talking. Use spiritual ears to hear His voice.
* Read – Open your Bible, for faith comes from hearing … the Word of God.
* Speak – Preach some of the things that you just read. Speak words of faith … Out loud!
* Meditate – Ponder your time. Close your eyes and feel His presence.
* Praise – End with praise (expecting to feel His presence throughout the day.)
Verse 1 and the chorus from my Mom’s favorite hymn, In the Garden:
I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses.
And He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.e tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.
I have enclosed a cue card for your convenience.
