Intimacy With God - This One Thing I Ask Series

One thing I ask…

Intimacy with God

4/28/02

By Brad Dyrness

If we really sing what we live, our hymn titles we sing would read something like this:

 Instead of showers…"THERE SHALL BE SPRINKLES OF BLESSING"

 Instead of telling… "I LOVE TO MUMBLE THE STORY"

 Not soldiers but "ONWARD CHRISTIAN RESERVES"

 Solid rock might sound like this: "MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING MUCH"

 Our knowing is more like… "I’M FAIRLY CERTAIN MY REDEEMER LIVES"

 Or what about… "SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD, FALL SOMEWHERE NEAR ME"

 Where is it… "MY FAITH LOOKS AROUND FOR THEE"

 "BLEST BE THE TIE THAT DOESN’T CRAMP MY STYLE"

 "WHAT AN ACQUAINTANCE WE HAVE IN JESUS!"

I know him but do I know him?

God does not have a secret society of intimate friends. We are as intimate with God as we choose to be.

Marlene LeFever

100 Ways To Take The Yawn Out Of Your Relationship With God… here are 10 of them the rest can be found on the web site www.jcnaz.org

 Teach a preschooler to sing a motion song that says something special about Jesus.

 Write a letter to God praising Him for how you are made

 Read a biography of a faithful missionary or preacher.

 Get to church ten minutes early. Spend time praying that God’s presence will be felt throughout the service.

 Sing a hymn to God; pay close attention to the words.

 Memorize a chapter in the Bible.

 Take notes during the sermon. On Sunday afternoon go over them and ask yourself, “What did God want me to hear this morning? How does He want me to respond?”

 Pray daily for someone you don’t like.

 Start a neighborhood Bible study or open your home for a study.

 Write a love letter to God.

Read Ps 27…

David begins by confirming who he is and who God is to him.

Hope Salvation and Protection. I have everything that a guy would need! Not by my own hand but a gift from my God.

Therefore!

David said his one request was first of all to dwell in the house of the Lord. Vs. 4, David is saying I like what I got and I want more of it! I want it until I die! I have made a lifetime choice here!

In Discipleship Journal this month there was a short article about marriage – describing what they called “Starter Marriages.” Those you get into when your young, have no kids and no real intention of staying in for life. Like a starter house – it’s all you can come up with for now but you have different plans for the future.

Lets me tell you clearly that is a marriage that will have not true intimacy. Why? Intimacy requires a feeling of safety. Without out security you will not open up!

David declares that this s not a short time trial run, or a I dwell with God as long as I feel good about it. He says I want to dwell… all the days of my life!

John 14:23—“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

Better worded “at home” with him.

Have you ever visited at someone home and felt out of place. Didn’t want to make too much noise, lived differently than you would if you were at home.

The word dwell means linger, hang out implies that you want to stay there! You feel welcome there! How they live is okay with you!

You don’t change them you are okay with who they are.

It’s always safe to entrust yourself to the Lord. Sometimes we think if we’re too agreeable someone will take advantage of us, but Jesus doesn’t. His dwelling is a place of acceptance.

Why? He will not let me down! Knowing that helps us open up to His plan and direction for us.

Why do I want to dwell?

I can build intimacy with God by:

1. Learning from God – vs. 4 David said his desire also was to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and seek Him in his temple.

Or as The Message states it: I’ll contemplate his beauty; I’ll study at his feet.

David knew that hanging out wasn’t enough. He needed to be a learner. To continue to expand his understanding of who God was and to know His ways.

2. Worshipping God vs. 6 I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.

Again The Message: I’m headed for his place to offer anthems

that will raise the roof! Already I’m singing God-songs;