Had an interesting sermon last sunday (albeit i did nod off a little :P). main focus is Familiarity with God e.g. knowing that He is good vs Intimacy with Him e.g. really building a relationship with God. Head-knowledge vs heart-and-mind-set changing revelations as you walk with Him. Going through the process via protocols vs going with the flow. Led by the flesh vs led by the Spirit. interesting. a ministry friend emailed the following portion, which i felt was quite appropriate for this week's revelations. enjoy.
Alone with God by Dennis Burke
Source: Knowing God Intimately by Dennis Burke
You can never come to know God deeply with shallow conversation.
Intimacy with Him requires development & cultivation. The deepest working of the Holy Spirit comes during the time spent alone in His presence.
When we set time aside for fellowship with God, we are entering into the richest experience of the Christian life. You were created for fellowship. This alone satisfies the desire of mankind & of God. That fellowship & deep working of the Spirit is richest when you are set apart from things that clutter your mind.
Jesus said in Mathew 6:6, “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, & when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; & thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”
It may sometimes feel as though you must drag yourself into the presence of God. Even when you are physically alone, your mind can be racing in many directions. You can easily waste precious time with God by letting your mind wander.
But Jesus said to enter the chamber & shut the door. Close the door of your mind on distractions that draw your attention. Bring your mind under control.
Worship
Worship is one of the most powerful ways to bring your entire being into an attitude of receptiveness to God. As you enter into a time of fellowship with God, begin by worshipping Him. Sing a worshipful song. Speak out to Him your adoration.
Soon you will find that all of those things clamoring your mind will take their rightful place outside the door of your inner chamber.
This is not time for requests, but rather to simply enter His presence, enjoy His fellowship, listen for His promptings & obtain the childlike assurance that your Father is near.
It is in these times of closeness to God that you have the greatest understanding of His willingness to be involved in your life. You gain a strengthening of your confidence, an establishing of your emotions, a deepening of your appreciation for all that He is.
You can trust Him as never before because you know Him as never before.
In Jeremiah 17:7-8, there is a beautiful description of one who has learned to trust God: “But happy is he who relies on the Eternal, with the Eternal for his confidence! He is like a tree planted beside a stream, reaching its roots to the water; untouched by any fear of scorching heat, its leaves are ever green, it goes on bearing fruit in days of drought, & lives serene.”
Your time in the inner chamber causes your roots to reach deep into God. Deep roots make strong, healthy trees. In fact, most trees have as much under the ground in root systems as they do above the ground in branches & leaves.
The root represents your private life with God. The leaves are the public life that others see. When a life of private fellowship is developed it will be as evident as you minister & deal with people publicly.
For many, the vast majority of their time with God is in a public setting- either church, Bible study, or prayer meetings. You need as much beneath the surface as you have above the surface.
Deep roots create stability & confidence in times when winds buffet you. There is tranquility & serenity deep within because you have tapped into the source of strength.
When everything in your Christian experience is above the ground, you have very little depth of stability. No wonder you lack confidence in God. You can be so easily tossed back & forth.
It is in the quiet times in His presence worshipping, waiting, praising & listening that you enter the highest levels of prayer. You have left business outside the door & simply opened yourself to commune with your Father.
These are the times God will speak to you & show you His wisdom & His will.
Source: Knowing God Intimately by Dennis Burke
You can never come to know God deeply with shallow conversation.
Intimacy with Him requires development & cultivation. The deepest working of the Holy Spirit comes during the time spent alone in His presence.
When we set time aside for fellowship with God, we are entering into the richest experience of the Christian life. You were created for fellowship. This alone satisfies the desire of mankind & of God. That fellowship & deep working of the Spirit is richest when you are set apart from things that clutter your mind.
Jesus said in Mathew 6:6, “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, & when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; & thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”
It may sometimes feel as though you must drag yourself into the presence of God. Even when you are physically alone, your mind can be racing in many directions. You can easily waste precious time with God by letting your mind wander.
But Jesus said to enter the chamber & shut the door. Close the door of your mind on distractions that draw your attention. Bring your mind under control.
Worship
Worship is one of the most powerful ways to bring your entire being into an attitude of receptiveness to God. As you enter into a time of fellowship with God, begin by worshipping Him. Sing a worshipful song. Speak out to Him your adoration.
Soon you will find that all of those things clamoring your mind will take their rightful place outside the door of your inner chamber.
This is not time for requests, but rather to simply enter His presence, enjoy His fellowship, listen for His promptings & obtain the childlike assurance that your Father is near.
It is in these times of closeness to God that you have the greatest understanding of His willingness to be involved in your life. You gain a strengthening of your confidence, an establishing of your emotions, a deepening of your appreciation for all that He is.
You can trust Him as never before because you know Him as never before.
In Jeremiah 17:7-8, there is a beautiful description of one who has learned to trust God: “But happy is he who relies on the Eternal, with the Eternal for his confidence! He is like a tree planted beside a stream, reaching its roots to the water; untouched by any fear of scorching heat, its leaves are ever green, it goes on bearing fruit in days of drought, & lives serene.”
Your time in the inner chamber causes your roots to reach deep into God. Deep roots make strong, healthy trees. In fact, most trees have as much under the ground in root systems as they do above the ground in branches & leaves.
The root represents your private life with God. The leaves are the public life that others see. When a life of private fellowship is developed it will be as evident as you minister & deal with people publicly.
For many, the vast majority of their time with God is in a public setting- either church, Bible study, or prayer meetings. You need as much beneath the surface as you have above the surface.
Deep roots create stability & confidence in times when winds buffet you. There is tranquility & serenity deep within because you have tapped into the source of strength.
When everything in your Christian experience is above the ground, you have very little depth of stability. No wonder you lack confidence in God. You can be so easily tossed back & forth.
It is in the quiet times in His presence worshipping, waiting, praising & listening that you enter the highest levels of prayer. You have left business outside the door & simply opened yourself to commune with your Father.
These are the times God will speak to you & show you His wisdom & His will.
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