Expectations are a big part of relationships, but if we have unrealistic expectations we will inevitably be disappointed. There have been times in my pursuit of intimacy with God that I have been disappointed because my expectations were wrong. When we hear people tell of close encounters they had with God, we shouldn’t try to frame our own experiences to match theirs. Below are five truths from scripture about intimacy with God taken from the book Radical Reliance: Living 24/7 With God At the Center written by Joe Stowell. I added the scripture after each one that has helped me understand that truth.

Five Truths about Intimacy with God

1. Our primary purpose in life is to embrace the transcendent God by faith and to worship Him in purity and service.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego understood this principle when King Nebuchadnezzar was about to throw them into the furnace for not bowing down to his image.

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.  (Daniel 3:17 – 18)

2. God intervenes in dramatic ways only periodically and selectively for major purposes in His Kingdom and blessings of His people.

Paul asked God three times to remove a thorn in his flesh. God answered with,

And He said to me, my grace is sufficient for you for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  (II Corinthians 12:9)

3. God has already done more for me than I deserve.

4. God is probably doing a lot of things for me that I don’t even know about.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God to those who are called according to His purpose.  (Romans 8:28)

5. When God thinks of intimacy, He thinks of a heart relationship with us.

Intimacy is about a relationship not a gift exchange. So if it is intimacy we want we need to be more intrigued with the Giver than the gifts.

Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.  (James 1:17)

The Lord is good and right; he points sinners to the right way.  He shows those who are humble how to do right, and he teaches them his ways.  (Ps.25:8-9 NCV)

First we see that God is good and right.  “God is good, all the time” and He never does wrong.  Even when “bad” things happen to His people, He is still good.  That is His character.  So the basis of our knowledge of God is what He tells us of Himself- and He is good and right.  He also wants us to be right and good.  The passage says He points sinners in the right way, shows the humble how to do right and teaches them His ways.  God doesn’t ask right living without giving us the means and knowledge of what to do.  His Word, the Bible, clearly shows us how to live rightly and what His ways are.  Yet we don’t get that knowledge through pride or good behavior.  So often I’m tempted to think if I just try hard enough, I’ll be able to do what God wants.  I’ll be able to please God.  But that is my pride telling me I can do it.  And the Bible says here that the humble get shown how to do right.  So as we meekly follow Him and trust Him with our lives, He will teach us His ways and show us His path.  And as verse 10 says, His “ways are loving and true.”  We can count on Him, because He is good and right.

When are you tempted to think that God is NOT good and right?  What can you do to defeat that temptation?  How often do you try hard to do what God wants, but fail?  Allowing the Holy Spirit to live His life through you is the key.  See Galatians 5:16.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  (Jn. 14:27)

As the year 2010 begins, I am reminded that our world is desperately in need of God’s peace. How can we experience true peace in our lives? Scripture tells us that it is the Lord who blesses us with peace (Num. 6:24-26). In fact, He is our peace (Is. 9:2-7; Eph. 2:14-18). Philippians 4:7 reveals that His peace goes way beyond our understanding as it guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. In John 14:27 Jesus told his disciples that the peace He gives is not like the peace of this world. When we experience His peace in our lives, it produces the following:

Patience with the process of life
Encouragement in the midst of difficulties
Accord with others around us
Calmness in our hearts and minds
Evidence that Christ is the center of our lives

So, what gives you peace in your life? Is it conditional based upon the world’s standards or are you open to His peace? My prayer is that you will seek His peace as this new year begins and that you will find your solace in Him!

I love the month of December for many reasons but one great joy is receiving all those Christmas letters from friends and family.  I love seeing the pictures of how the kids have grown, read of all the happenings in the lives of people who have touched my life over the years.  

This past December was a very difficult time for our family.   As the anticipated letters arrived in our mailbox, I found that I was struggling to enjoy the bright, cheery updates.  I felt the sting (and sin) of jealousy.   By God’s grace, He did not leave me there – struggling with that sin on my own.   Many years ago, during another very difficult time in my life, God used His Word to comfort and strengthen me and this passage was again brought to my mind and heart during this past Christmas season.  Let me share it with you

Though the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are not sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.  The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.  (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

God used this passage (again) to draw me back to Himself.  He is the Sovereign God and sees the plan for my life (and my child’s life) from His perspective.  In this I can rejoice.  In this I can even be joyful.  And when I wonder how, I remember God’s words – HE is my strength – HE makes my feet like the deer – HE enables me to go on the heights.  I’m reminded of song we have sung often at camp ‘”It’s all about you, Jesus…and all this is for you, for your glory and your fame…It’s not about me, as if you should do things my way… You alone are God and I surrender to your way.”  Surrender to His ways – and rejoice!