REAL & INTIMATE (Conversation)—Does This Describe Us?
“I need to talk to you,” He said as we passed each other, passing and going in opposite directions.
“Sure, maybe later tonight when everything slows down and we have time to REALLY talk,” I replied, as I continued, focused upon my busy day and my list of tasks listed on my phone calendar.
Busy.
Lots of Tasks.
Good Intentions.
A Quick Conversation Is Good Enough, right? BUT IS THIS “REALLY” GOOD ENOUGH?
Is a passing, quickly uttered prayer, words spoken, REAL & INTIMATE Conversation with God?
“Thank You for my rest,”
“Thank You for my family,”
“Thank You for my new day.”
“Please be with me (as I GO About MY OWN Plans, as I DO MY OWN Thing, and as I PLAN MY OWN Day).”
Is that how God wants to share time with us?
Is that His plan for communication with us?
Is this the “REAL INTIMACY” as GOD intended when He sent His Holy Spirit?
NO! NO! NO!
BUT—-It may be what we are guilty of offering to God.
BUT—-It may be what we hurriedly give to God, “thinking” highly of ourselves for the daily sacrifice we lay at the altar.
BUT—-It may have become our “standard procedure” & our “daily habit,” we find ourselves giving to God.
A few moments early.
A quick prayer over our cereal bowl.
A hurriedly bow of our head in the cafeteria over our turkey sandwich.
A handholding, longer prayer if we actually get to sit together over the dinner meal OR Maybe a forgotten prayer as we eat our final meal for the day as we drive home.
PRAYER.
TALKING AT GOD.
ASKING GOD.
LISTING OUR NEEDS, OUR WANTS, & EVEN OUR REQUESTS FOR HEALING.
PRAYER.
LISTED REQUESTS FOR THOSE WE KNOW WHO ARE SUFFERING.
BUT…………..
Are we listening TO GOD as much as we are talking TO GOD?
Are we hearing FROM GOD as much as we are speaking TO GOD our requests?
Are we guiding our own path, or are we GIVING OUR DAILY PATH TO GOD TO GUIDE?
Our youth minister brought a beautiful message yesterday, and what stays with me is the REAL INTIMACY God shared with the first man, Adam and his wife, Eve.
Intimacy & Communication & God’s Provision for ALL Their Needs—-
Even when they sinned.
Even when they wanted what they selfishly wanted.
Even when they listened and disobeyed, instead following the serpent, the deceiver, Satan.
Even when they blamed everyone but themselves.
Even when they eventually saw the truth of their disobedience and then experienced the consequences of their sin.
Even Then—-God sought individual REAL INTIMACY with them.
A REAL & INTIMATE Conversation: Adam & God.
A REAL & INTIMATE Conversation: Eve & God.
A REAL & INTIMATE Conversation: You & God.
A REAL & INTIMATE Conversation: God & Me.
A REAL & INTIMATE Conversation WITH GOD: HE Speaks & I Listen & Obey.
The LORD spoke to the prophet Jeremiah and told him to tell the people—This is the timing, & This is the place for God’s blessing.
THEIR TASK—-Listen & Be Bold & Be Courageous & Be Obedient.
God still expects the same.
God’s Word has not changed.
The Bible remains Sure & True, but do not believe me.
Believe God’s Word.
“For thus says the LORD, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good Word to you, to bring you back to this place.
For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
I will be found by you,’ declares the LORD,‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the LORD,
‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’ “
(Jeremiah 29: 10-14)
Let us LISTEN.
Let us FOLLOW.
Let US OBEY.
Let us PRAY & OFFER (as David) this PROMISE to our GOD.
“My steps have held fast to Your paths.
(Psalm 17:5-7)
My feet have not slipped.
I have called upon You, for You will answer me, O God;
Incline Your ear to me, hear my speech.
Wondrously show Your lovingkindness,
O Savior of those who take refuge at Your right hand from those who rise up against them.”