I grew up in the church from an early age. I was in the kids choir, on the praise team, and later on, I was a part of the adult choir. Side note: No I am not a good singer! LOL. But Jesus doesn’t look intently at the vocals like He does the heart that’s behind the singing.
Fast forward years later, God revealed to me that I wasn’t close to Him as I thought I was. Going to church wasn’t the same thing as having an intimate relationship with Christ. I didn’t have a relationship with Him at all. I knew of Jesus Christ, but I truly didn’t “know” Him. I knew Him as Savior, but I didn’t know or obey Him as Lord and I definitely didn’t know Him as Friend.
In order to know someone, you have to have a relationship with them. If you don’t have a relationship with them, then you only know of that person, but you don’t know their heart, character, or personality. You don’t know what makes them glad or what upsets them.
The following Scripture rings a bell in my past life growing up and in the lives of many others.
Matthew 15:8 states: These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
Do you want Jesus to have your heart? Do you truly want to be in the love of Christ? Do you want to know His love so that you can love others properly? If so, you are going to need to develop an intimate relationship with Him and make time for this relationship like you make time for everything else you care about.
So What is Intimacy?
As I was researching different definitions, this one stood out to me. According to Better Health, intimacy in a relationship is a feeling of being close, and emotionally connected and supported. It means being able to share a whole range of thoughts, feelings and experiences that we have as human beings. It involves being open and talking through your thoughts and emotions, letting your guard down (being vulnerable), and showing someone else how you feel and what your hopes and dreams are.
There have been days where I needed to spend intimate time with Jesus just to feel loved. His love is literally like no other. There have been days where I needed to fall at His feet and repent as He held me close. There have been days where I needed clarity, direction and understanding.
And there have been days where I could just say one word one name, “Jesus”, as He comforted and shared in my hurt, pain, struggle and grief.
And when I need a dear friend, my Jesus is the best one yet. He will never fail you. Never leave you. Never abandon you. Instead He will love you in all of your brokenness, unhealed heart, and imperfections.
During the time you spend with Him, He will create in you a new heart and make you whole, healed and complete.
Why Should You Spend Intimate Time With Jesus?
To understand who you are and what’s your purpose. (1 Peter 2:9)
To know the love of Christ. (John 3:16-17)
For rest for your tired and weary soul. (Matthew 11:28-30)
For wisdom, discernment and knowledge. (The Book of Psalms)
For direction and guidance. (Psalm 119:105)
To know and understand what His will is. His good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)
To be His hands and feet by spreading the Good News. (Luke 9:1-6)
To be fruitful and multiply the body of Christ. (John 15:1-17)
To know how to love your neighbor as yourself. (John 15: 12-13)
To bring a soul to salvation. (The Great Commission – Matthew 28: 19-20)
Ways to Spend Intimate Time With Jesus.
In Prayer
Prayer is simply communication with God. In order to get to know someone, you have to communicate. Intimacy calls for one’s vulnerability, humbleness and submissiveness. When you are spending intimate time with Jesus, come as you are. Whatever is on your heart and mind, welcome Him in. Take the time to listen to what He has to say and trust Him. When ending this time with Him, if He gives you instruction, confirmation or wisdom, apply it to your heart and act upon it.
In Word
If you are looking for Jesus, you can find Him in the Word. He is the Word made flesh. If you want to get to know Him, get to know the Word. In the Word, you will find knowledge, solutions, strategies, wisdom, rest, hope, encouragement, peace, mercy, love and grace amongst many other things Jesus is.
In Worship
Oxford’s definition of worship is the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity. In this case, The Most High God. Worship will create a close bond between you and God. Go to the Lord in humility and deep respect and thank Him for all He has done. In worship, the connection with the Holy Spirit will be evident.
Monique ST
The Lord is wanting a relationship with you. He wants you to take intentional time out of your day to talk with Him, read His word and give Him praises for being who He is and what He has done for you. God has much to say and do with you and through you. He has a plan and purpose for your life.
When you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, you become a child of God, an heir to the Kingdom of God. Today is the day of salvation. You can choose life by accepting Christ.
Thank you all for reading and feel free to leave comments if you are led to and you can always share with others.
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One of my favorite praise and worship songs!
Vanessa says
Great post! This should become a mini evangelism pamphlet.
Monique ST says
Thank you. That is actually a great idea. I’ll look more into that. Thank you again!