Growing a Deeper Intimacy

Scripture: John l5: 4-5...'Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. As the branch
cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, neither can you unless you
remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who remains in Me, and I
in him, bears much fruit. For without Me, you can do nothing.
Of late, I have found myself discovering an even deeper 'intimacy' with God. In
that, I am only referring to a 'deep, personal, and loving close relationship' with
Him.

Have you ever been at a beach and had to walk across the sand? Did you
notice how much harder it was to walk in that soft sand? You get tired quicker and
had to put in more effort to cover the distance. Perhaps, you realized how difficult
it was until you stepped onto firm ground. Everything suddenly got so much
easier. This simple illistration shows a picture of why I am constantly pursuing
that closer intimacy with God.
John l5: 4-5 highlights that we need to be 'one with God' as He is our source of
all strength.

A close and personal relationship with God is like having something solid under
your feet. It makes all the difference in the world. Yahweh, another name for God,
desires us to draw close to Him. The Bible tells us to 'Draw near to God, and he
will draw near to you.'...James 4:8.

In the journey of life, we face many different seasons. There are great moments
and those times when we may drop into a valley of feeling down and discouraged.
We might feel very alone, like we are merely drifting through life. You maybe even
worried about how you were going to pay next month's rent or where your next
meal was coming from.

Through the years, I have learned that the 'key' to moving through is coming into
that 'deeper intimacy' with God. If we look at Jesus' life, He constantly withdrew to
spend quality time with Him. Matthew l4:23, Mark l:35, Luke 5:l6, Matthew 26,26.
Here are a few simple ways I have found to deepen my intimacy with God.
l) Try to spend quality time with God away from distraction. This doesn't have to
be just a quiet time but a quality time with Him...a time to come into the Presence
of your Savior. 2) Pour out your heart to Him throughout your day. Take Him
wherever you go. Live every minute and every second with Him by your side.
Also, take time to listen. As the scripture says, 'My sheep hear my voice and
follow Me.' 3) Take a walk taking Him along. You'd be surprised how He can
reveal Himself to you as you walk with Him. 4) Journalizing your answers and
experiences with Him help you become more intimate as you praise Him for what

He has revealed to you and the ongoing life of experiences as He reveals Himself
through your life day by day. 5) Practice being thankful and spend time in
worship. Psalms 22:3 declares that
God inhabits the praises of His people.
It is important to realize that intimacy with God does not get rid of trials and the
pains of life. But, it will give you solid ground on which to stand when things get to
be too much.

Living a life of true and deep intimacy with God is empowering, encouraging, life-
giving, and the feeling of God's strength that abides by our side.

I hope you feel encouraged to climb up higher and go deeper in your intimacy
with God and see what a difference knowing His Presence, character, and nature
will make to your life.

Amen