Stay the Course: Intimacy with Christ

This week I had a dream and as I was processing it with Holy Spirit this morning, he not only explained the meaning of the dream but gave me a word for the Bride.  

I felt Holy Spirit saying we are heading into a season of “unrest” in the Body of Christ.  God is stirring the hearts of his people.  Those who have deep, close intimacy with him will be drawn deeper. 

However, those who do not, will find themselves unsatisfied with things as they “have always been.” Hunger for “more” will increase but without the commitment to intentional intimacy, these will be tempted to turn aside to “other gods”, (I.E. entertainment, worldly lusts/pleasures, money, even other religions). 

Following this word, Holy Spirit gave me five keys to maintaining and increasing or developing a life of intimacy with him to prevent “turning aside.”

First, we must be intentional about entering the secret place. 

What is the secret place?  

The place where we get alone with God.  In the past I have mentioned Susanna Wesley, the mother of John and Charles Wesley, 18th-century Anglican priests who led the Methodist revival movement.  Susanna had 19 children and her “secret place” was sitting in a chair with her apron over her head in the midst the hustle and bustle of her family.  I admire this dedication and commitment to intimacy, and I am extremely grateful that my “secret place” is a much quieter, calmer place than Susanna’s.  Remember, the  location doesn’t really matter, as long as our focus in on Christ.  

What do you do in the secret place?

That is a good question. I know for me it depends on the day and even throughout my time I move or flow from one to another thing.  Typically, there are a few things that I do to connect and commune with God.  

1. Sing a hymn or chorus. 

2. Meditate on a Scripture passage.

3. Pray (bringing my petitions and those of others to God).

4. Listen (allow Holy Spirit to speak into my heart).

5. Sit quietly and allow God’s love and peace to sweep over me and into my heart.

As the goal is intimacy, I may not do all these each time I enter my secret place.  In our human relationships we do not script out our interactions with others, why would we with God?  When I spend time with a friend, we might meet at a coffee shop or in a home, however, from there we “go with the flow”.  We allow the conversation or the silent gaps to flow smoothly, as if of their own accord.  The same should be true of our time with God.  As we allow Holy Spirit to lead the time, we will find that it is deep and fulfilling, providing us with rich wisdom and fresh revelation. Or we might find that we feel freer and more at peace than when we entered.  Sometimes, we might be led to “war in prayer”, partnering with Holy Spirit to pray and agree with the Word, calling those things that “are not” as though “they are”.  

The only real stipulation is that we are intentional to set aside that time.  How and when will look different for each of us.  For Susanna it was with head bowed under her apron.  For some it may be early in the morning before they begin their day. For others, it is at the end of the day as they unwind and regroup for the coming day.  For someone else, it might be on the long two-hour commute to/from work (eyes open please ).  There is not a formula, and it could change with your different seasons on life.  If you are not sure when is best for you, pray about it and be open to hearing what Holy Spirit says.  

Matthew 6:6, But when you pray, go into your [most] private room, and, closing the door, pray to your Father, Who is in secret; and your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you in the open. (AMPC)

Matthew 26:41, All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (AMPC)

Ephesians 6:18, Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people). (AMPC)

Second, we must consistently fellowship with likeminded believers.

It is vitally important for us to have regular, consistent interaction/fellowship with other believers.  

We need each other to challenge, encourage, strengthen and deepen our faith.  We need to talk about what we believe and why we believe it.  We need others to help us see areas where maybe we are falling short and to encourage us in areas where we are growing and thriving.  

No one is an island unto himself.  Isolation is one of the enemy’s greatest tactics to cause us to lose our footing and to “turn aside” from our faith.  He knows that if he can get us off by ourselves, we are sitting ducks for his demonic hosts. There is safety in numbers!

To illustrate, I am sure we have all seen a nature documentary in which a group of lionesses or hyenas separate a zebra, or other hoofed animal, from the rest of its herd.  Once it is isolated, it becomes confused, scared, and frantic.  It loses all sense of control and thus runs itself into total exhaustion making it easy pickings for the predators.  

The same holds true with us, when we allow ourselves to isolate and try to “do it ourselves” we will find that we are often left confused, scared, and frantic.  If the enemy can get us to this point, he can easily come in for the “kill”.  Remember John 10:10, The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). (AMPC)

Proverbs 12:17, As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (NLT)

Hebrews 10:24-25, And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities. Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching. (AMPC)

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Two are better than one, because they have a good [more satisfying] reward for their labor; For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie down together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone? And though a man might prevail against him who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken. (AMPC)

Third, we must be people of the Word.

The Word is our guidebook to life. In it we find not only valuable lessons from the lives of believers and nonbelievers of the past, but also instructions for daily living out our Christian walk. 

John 1, tells us that Jesus IS THE WORD made flesh.  When we ready/study the Word we are readying/studying Jesus.  As we read the Word, we are opening our hearts and minds to Holy Spirit, allowing him to bring us fresh revelation and deeper insight into the heart, character, and thoughts of God.  

This deeper revelation, when partnered with our yielded hearts, produces the fruit of obedience, hope, life, victory, godliness… in our life.  

We also know that our words produce when they are spoken.  As we spend time in the Word, our thoughts and words come into agreement with the Word allowing us to create atmospheres in which Holy Spirit can bring the Kingdom of Heaven to Earth.  

The Word produces or builds up our faith muscles so we can believe and boldly declare the life giving, life changing Word of Truth into the spiritual atmosphere.  

As we become diligent doers of the Word, putting it into daily practice in our life, we will find the temptation to sin and the hold of the enemy weakening.  The Word will keep us from sinning against God.

Psalm 119:105, Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (ESV)

2 Timothy 3:16-18, Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work. (AMPC)

Isaiah 55:11, So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (AMPC)

Romans 10:17, So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (ESV)

Psalm 119:111, I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (ESV)

James 1:22, But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. (AMPC)

Finally, we must walk by faith not by sight. 

In Hebrews 11, we read of men and women of old who “through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight…” (vs. 33-34). We need to remember that they were human, just as we are.  They did not see the victories with the eyes of flesh, but with the eyes of faith.  

These men and woman took God at his Word.  They believed even when it looked like they were going under, missing the mark, headed for defeat…. They conducted their lives and words by their convictions, rather than what their eyes saw.

Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. (AMPC)

2 Corinthians 5:7, For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance. (AMPC)

Proverbs 3:5-6, Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. (AMPC)

1 Corinthians 16:13, Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. (ESV)

1 John 5:4, For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. (ESV)

In conclusion, we are coming into days of unrest which are intended to draw the Bride into deeper intimacy with Christ.  However, many will “turn aside” rather than press in deeper.  To maintain and increase or develop a life of intimacy with him to prevent “turning aside,” we must be intentional about entering the secret place, consistently fellowship with likeminded believers, be people of the Word, and walk by faith not by sight. 

May we all STAY THE COURSE!!!!