Fresh Mannaby Pastor Tim BurtWhen I think of the word intimacy concerning God, I think of it as a closeness—like a best friend—like someone you truly love and appreciate being with! That's how I feel about the Lord.Sometimes, in the middle of the night, when I have awoken and can't fall back to sleep, instead of fretting over a loss of sleep, I read my bible, pray, and spend time thanking God for every good thing in my life. I thank Him for the grace to get through the coming day! Not only is that time intimate and special, but in short order, it brings me to where I can fall back asleep.I have many places, times, and intimate atmospheres where I spend time with the Lord. Each Spring, after the snow melts and everything comes back to life, I create a few quiet places in my garden where I can sit and spend time with Him. Frankly, I can turn just about any place into an atmosphere of intimacy with Him. I can because I've learned how important it is to be able to pause and bring Him into every situation.1 John 5:13-15 (NLT) says, "I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may KNOW you have eternal life. And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him. And since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know He will give us what we ask for." This scripture transforms my "hope" into "knowing"! Hope and knowing are two entirely different things. Hope is more like a desire while knowing is like something set in concrete! It's a done deal!I read His Word expecting God to speak to my heart through the scriptures in a relevant way. I pray the promises He reveals in His Word over my life with great confidence, knowing that Heaven and Earth will move because God is faithful! And these verses from God produce an ever-increasing confidence and intimacy in me.
Like anyone, I can have moments where I want to experience intimacy with God, but my mind is too preoccupied with everything happening around me. My time with God and in prayer could easily become distracted in busy moments. The distractions also distract my feelings of God's intimacy with me. Years ago, as a younger Christian, I might have panicked and thought, What’s wrong? Why am I not feeling God’s presence in the same way? Did I do something wrong? God, are you mad at me? Am I out of Your will? and on and on. In those times, I'm usually so preoccupied with the demands of life that I'm only half focused on the Lord and not really with Him and Him alone! Do you know what I learned to do in those times? I've learned to have momentary escapes, even for only 5 minutes. I've learned to go into a bathroom or someplace alone, close the door, and lift my arms in worship with God. Even a few minutes alone telling Him of your love and your confidence in His love helps restore your feelings of intimacy!
God's word became my truth and anchor as I matured in the Lord. It kept me from drifting because of erroneous feelings. Feelings are so fickle. Good or bad, they don't last and can't be allowed to direct your life of intimacy and closeness with God! Now I know better. God never leaves me. He never forsakes me. To the contrary, His word teaches me, “Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.” (James 4:8) When we purposely draw near to God with the promise of Him drawing near to and speaking to us, then we have to remember the primary way God speaks to us. He primarily speaks to us through His Word. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He taught them, “Give us this day our daily bread…” He was not teaching them to pray for food or provision. He was teaching them to meditate on the scriptures—His Word, and listen for the Word of God to speak to their hearts—every day. Why? We need help, direction, correction, peace, and a power boost from the Lord every day. That is what the Word of God is to us! Isaiah 40:31 (TLB) "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."Would you like some wisdom? Do you need help? Are you feeling discouraged? Do you need direction? Do you need reassurance? Are you hungry to know God more intimately? How do you think He is going to address those desires in your heart? Through His Word! That's how He leads you. That's how He corrects and instructs you! That's how He leads you into the miracles you'll experience. Those personal, unique, and intimate times come through His Word rising in your heart.So even when I am in the grinding-it-out times during busy periods in my life, and may not feel any of the goosebumps of intimacy I'd love to sense when spending time with God, I have zero doubt that the Lord is with me. I have zero doubt that He hears every word and appreciates that I live by faith, not feelings. He never changes, and I cannot let feelings dictate my faith. I let faith dictate my feelings. And so, as I did today, I will continue to sing to Him, pray, and meditate on God's word and great love for us. And I'll continue to pray! I know God hears my prayers with makes my time with Him powerful whether it feels intimate or not—whether I get goosebumps or not! It's simply incredible to spend time with the Lord! And because I see it that way, it is intimate!Psalm 73:28 NLT “But as for me, how good it is to draw near to God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things He does.”In His love,Pastor Tim Burt
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