"WHAT IS INTIMACY WITH GOD,

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"WHAT IS INTIMACY WITH GOD,
INTIMACY IN PRAYER, HOW DO
WE REALLY SHOW OUR LOVE TO GOD? Throughout the
ages there has been the attempt of man to reach
for a non-existent god. But the true God is
not reached in such a way. Rather than permit
His creation to reach-up in a vain search for
Him, He reaches down to their level through the
presence and sacrifice of His Own Son. God's
grace is extended to the masses but to those who
yield themselves as His subjects, His role
becomes a very personal, intimate relationship.
This is vividly demonstrated by the Biblical
record of Jesus' appearance to His disciples
after His resurrection (John 20).
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INTIMACY WITH THE HEAVENLY FATHER IS A
SURRENDER OF SELF AND SUBMISSION TO
HIS PURPOSE IN OUR LIVES In contrast The rich,
young, ruler had every qualification and reason
to follow our Lord, but he would not surrender
his riches (Mt 19). Ananias and Sapphira failed
to surrender by desiring to hold-back on
material security (Acts 5) . In beautiful
conformity Barnabas, "Having land, sold it, and
brought the money, and laid it at the apostles'
feet" (Acts 437).
Speaking most favorable of the
Macedonian churches, Paul wrote, "And this they
did...but first gave their own selves to the
Lord" (2 Cor 85). Romans 121-2, "I beseech
you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies..."
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Our intimacy with God is evidenced by How
and where we spend our time How we
handle our finances Our attitude toward
assembling with others of like faith
Devotion displayed in serving others
(Mt 2532-45) Our attitude and
disposition (1 Cor 13). Never a
question of the Christian failing to do what is
right - but rather would this choice be best
for God's glory and my pleasing service
to Him.
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Our approach to God through prayer. Away
from public prayer where others are following our
lead, can we speak openly, freely with
God, and express our sins and shortcomings,
our needs, our sincere
thankfulness for His presence, our feeling
of smallness before His greatness? Posture and
place are unimportant but sincerity and
humility are most important. "Whosoever
offereth praise glorifieth Me" (Ps 5023).
"Abraham was called the Friend of God"
(James 223). Can we approach God as our
friend?
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HOW DO WE REALLY SHOW OUR LOVE TO GOD? Recognize
and acknowledge that, "Every good gift and every
perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from
the Father of lights" (James 117). Recognize
that, "God that made the world and all things
therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and
earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands
25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as
though He needed any thing, seeing He giveth to
all life, and breath, and all things 26 And
hath made of one blood all nations of men for to
dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath
determined the times before appointed, and the
bounds of their habitation 27 That they should
seek the Lord, if haply they might feel
after Him, and find Him, though He be not far
from every one of us" 28 For in Him we live,
and move, and have our being" (Acts 1724-28).
Rev 210, "Fear none of those things which...
This is where and when we REALLY show our
love to God.