Tuesday, 2 January 2018
Lawrence & Decovenant
Friday, 10 March 2017
Wednesday, 22 February 2017
Sunday, 22 January 2017
Monday, 16 January 2017
Sunday, 28 February 2016
Thursday, 30 July 2015
PARTAKING IN A DIVINE AGENDA
OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.
DATE : FRIDAY 31ST JULY 2015
THEME: PARTAKING IN A DIVINE AGENDA
MEMORISE:
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Luke 1:33
READ: Luke 1:31-33
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
MESSAGE:
When God says He will do a thing, He is telling you what He has already done in the realm of the Spirit. It is already a settled matter. If He says He will give you peace, it means that peace is already released to you. Every good promise that God has made to you shall become reality shortly in Jesus' Name. When Jesus made this promise in Matthew 16:18:
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
He was simply saying something He had already done. He was telling Peter what He had already finished, long before Peter was born. Luke 1:33 declares that there is no end to the increase of God's kingdom. This means that whether the devil and the world like it or not, the Church will keep marching on. It also means that even when you do not know how to access the funds you need to build that local assembly to the glory of God's Name, God knows. He has already provided for all the churches that would be built in His Name, even before the foundation of the world was laid. This is why I know that you will not be stranded or frustrated over the assignment of enlarging God's kingdom on earth. God's provision for your assignment shall be evident this season in Jesus' Name.
Moreover, it is important to note that since God has set out to build His church, if you cooperate with Him, He can use you to build His kingdom. Building His church is God's agenda. God is looking for those who will cooperate with Him to establish His agenda of building His church. Are you willing to partner with Him? Long ago, God decided that He would take a general from the Syrian army and turn him into a worshipper of Jehovah (2 Kings 5:1-19). In today's setting, it is like saying God wants to take the Sultan of Sokoto (the traditional head of Muslims in Nigeria) and turn him into an evangelist or a pastor. Some people will say this is impossible, but with God nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37).
Once He has set out His plan, and His Word has gone forth, He will do it. To get Naaman to become a worshipper of the Living God, the Lord needed someone to cooperate with Him. It was a housemaid in Naaman's household who told her mistress that there was a prophet in Israel who could cure her husband's leprosy. Like this handmaid, are you ready to cooperate with the Lord in building His church?
ACTION POINT:
Every child of God has a role to play in building the kingdom of God. So, don't just sit on the fence!
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : NEHEMIAH 4:1-6:14 and JOHN 7:1-24
AUTHOR : Pst E. A ADEBOYE
Tuesday, 14 July 2015
Wonderful Miracle
OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: THURSDAY 9TH JULY 2015
THEME: WONDERFUL MIRACLE
MEMORISE: Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Romans 15:19
READ: EZEKIEL 37:1-10
1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,
2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.
3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.
4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.
5 Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:
6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.
8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.
9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.
10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.
MESSAGE
Miracles have a lesser degree of awesomeness when compared to wonders. Let us closely look at examples of these. It is undeniable that the raising of the dead through prayer is a great act of God. In 1 Kings 17:17-24, when the son of the widow of Zarephath died and Elijah was informed; he prayed, paced up and down, threw himself on the child about three times and the child came back to life. This was a miracle no doubt; but when dead bones cause the dead to be raised to life, it is a greater miracle.
This happened in 2 Kings 13:20-21. Someone died and was being conveyed to the burial site, but because the mourners sighted a band of enemy soldiers heading in their direction, they threw the corpse into a nearby grave. Coincidentally, that was where Elisha had been buried. Elisha's body had decayed, leaving only his bones behind. As soon as the corpse touched his bones, the dead man came back to life and ran after his fleeing relatives.
However, when you compare all these great miracles with Ezekiel's experience documented in today's Bible reading, you will conclude that they are incomparable in awesomeness.
What Ezekiel experienced was a wonder. Ezekiel was taken to a valley full of dry bones and God asked him if the bones could live again. This man of God immediately realised he had come face to face with a situation his faith could not handle. "Lord, this is beyond my faith. Only You can tell", he replied. God then said to him, "Don't pray, don't touch, just prophesy to them and say, Dry bones, hear God's word and come together, every bone to its bone as it was originally". Oh! That was easy to say, and he said it as he was commanded, even though he knew it sounded far-fetched.
How can you ask dead, dry bones to hear? Oh yes, they can hear, though not your words but God's Word.
This is why you should not stop speaking the Word of God to dead situations, people and things. They all have ears to hear God's Word and they respond to it.
Meanwhile, as the dry bones began to move to form their original bone structure, Ezekiel must have been saying, Wonderful! But God was not done yet; He commanded Ezekiel to prophesy to the wind. Now, this was a bit more outlandish! At least the bones he could see, but the wind he could not see. He however obeyed, and the wind began to blow. Breath came into the lifeless entities that had been formed from the dry bones. In no time, a valley full of dry bones was taken over by a strong and able army.
Always use God's Word to call up what you want to see in the Name of Jesus Christ, and it will be so.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, in my life, family, workplace and ministry, make us recipients of your wonders.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 CHRONICLES 28:9-29:30 and LUKE 19:41-20:18
AUTHO: Pst E. A ADEBOYE
Thursday, 21 May 2015
Music Ministers
What thé Music Minister can do to effectively live in his/ her calling.
Scenerio
My friend Mike just released his new worship CD
and wanted to have a free worship event. He got in
touch with his pastor and told him about it and the
pastor told him the church should be able to
support him both financially and otherwise. Two
weeks to the event he got a message that the
church was not in a position to support him
because they don’t have funds for such endeavors.
He was left to his fate and quite devastated. The
event still held.
This may be a familiar experience or scenario to
what somebody or you may have gone through. It
seems, the support the music minister needs is
not readily available from the church coupled with
the fact, that’s where his primary place of
assignment is. What would have been the
appropriate response the church should have
offered? Are churches turning away from lending a
helping hand to their music ministers?The music
ministry is a calling that is part of the great
commission and not just a time in a worship
service where songs of adoration to God are sung.
The church has to come to realization that the
music minister has a ministry that is of a larger
dimension to the four corners of the church
walls.The need to support the music minister now
becomes worth considering.
So What the music minister can do to effectively
live in his/her calling?
1. - Study to show him or herself approved- By
understanding what God’s calling (ministry) on
his/her life is all about. (2 Tim 2:15).
2. - Pray, plan and organize worship meetings if
possible outside the normal Sunday services. With
the supervision of a pastoral head if need be.
3. - Work on their art and craft by releasing
worship albums, which glorifies God and edifies the
people. This would get them invited as guest
ministers and can also be a good leverage. Invest
in your spirit, soul and body.
4. - Make good effort to network with other
credible worshipers. Iron would definitely sharpen
another iron.
What the music minister should watch out for.
1. -The temptation of praising himself through
self glorifying songs that often come in the form of
testimonies- Some people usually fall into the
temptation of talking about the material
possessions they have through their songs in the
name of thanking God but we all know it’s not
always so. (1 Jhn 2:16)
2. - Church leaders that usually put restriction
on their music ministers in terms of where they
can go to minister and how they should use their
ministry. This is often because they want to keep
them stuck in one place.(Gal 5:1)
3. -Open doors that are traps in disguise. Some
opportunities not what they seem. God’s
direction and leading saves the day. Don’t be too
quick to rush out and be heard or seen.(Exd 5:9)
4. -Feeling of unworthiness, which robs the
music minister of the boldness and strength.
By Alex
Source: Church Music World
(resource for church music ministers)
Thursday, 14 May 2015
Music Minister/ Secular Artiste
One topic that still stirs quite a controversy in the
Gospel music scene, is the case of Gospel artistes
collaborating in songs with secular artistes, or
should Pastors allow secular artistes to perform in
their churches.
Although, there have been some interesting
comments/views in christendom particularly on
social media about this issue. However Gospel
Minister and former member of Award winning Afro
Beat gospel music group Infinity, Kenny Kore
shares his thought and warns Gospel artistes
against getting into ”the identity crisis they might
encounter by collaborating with secular artistes.
In his words
”You see, the problem with secular artist singing
moral songs is that they aren’t stable, its just a
matter of time before they sing immoral. And
that’s how you pollute the waters. I’ve collaborated
on works that have secular artists, but I won’t
always do it, and I definitely won’t advise others to
do it too”.
“You don’t need the identity crises that comes
with collaborating with folks who uses the same
plate you use to serve GOD to serve dogs. Jesus
may have eaten and drunk with unbelievers, but
He didn’t do it so that it can become our excuse
to become friends with the world.Friendship with
the world is enmity with God. There are gray areas
in all of these things, but it’s just a matter of time
before you know those “fremzing” up, and those
who’re separated unto winning souls to
YAHWEH. Secular is anything that exclude GOD,
why would a true Christian want to do that?”
On singing about social issues, he said ” I for
example sing about different social issues from a
Christian perspective, that’s how a Christian
lawyer, doctor, trader etc should do their
businesses, from a Christian perspective. Nobody
is putting anybody on a tightrope about what you
listen to; just know that you reap what you sow.
Garbage in, garbage out. If you understand the
investment GOD has made in you, you’ll be careful
about the type of stuff you open yourself to. GOD
said; today I present before you life and death,
choose life that you may live”.
He went ahead to say that ”The error of King
Belshazzar of Babylon before the Handwriting on
the wall. People need to stop acting like the Bible
isn’t explicit about the criteria of a MINISTER OF
GOD. Yes, GOD can use anything and anyone, but
HE often would not use a donkey if the man of
GOD is living in obedience. He won’t turn stone to
bread, if there’s still a widow in Zarephath.
He also commented on the issue of whether
secular artistes should be allowed to perform in
churches, in his words ”See what the scriptures
says about who must lead, teach, minister to
GOD’s people; “This is a true saying, if a man
desire the office of an elder, he desireth a good
work. An elder then must be blameless, the
husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good
behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not
given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre;
but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that
ruleth well his own house, having his children in
subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not
how to rule his own house, how shall he take care
of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being
lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of
the devil.
Moreover he must have a good report of them
which are without; lest he fall into reproach and
the snare of the devil. Likewise must the deacons
be grave, not double tongued, not given to much
wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure
conscience. AND LET THESE ALSO FIRST BE
PROVED; then let them use the office of a deacon,
being found blameless. Even so must their wives
be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all
things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one
wife, ruling their children and their own houses
well. For they that have used the office of a deacon
well purchase to themselves a good degree, and
great boldness in the faith which is in Christ
Jesus.”
It is because a lot of people don’t know what the
Bible says about who should minister to them,
that’s why any dick and harry can hold the
microphone and showcase forms of godliness
without power, and we’re supposed to be shouting
Halleluyah. What is the church supposed to
do, besides being vigilant, aware, awake, alive,
alert, wise…?, secularising our devotions”? He
concluded.
Sunday, 10 May 2015
You Are God's Domain
KINGDOM
In this kingdom there are rules.
In this kingdom you re not permitted to live ur life anyhow.
In this kingdom Sin is not allowed. In this kingdom your destiny lies in ur hands. In this kingdom you need grâce.
In this kingdom you need anointing.
In this kingdom u need God's strenght.
WHAT IS Kingdom?
It simply means King's domain i.e YOU&GOD i.e a place where God réside. So ! Bcos you re thé temple Of God it means u re God's domain,God réside in you, You carry His présence. God forbid that Hé now bcome a stranger in His Own house. We must give God full access to rule in our lives ,Therefore sin is not permitted to rule us.
In this kingdom you need strenght because u cant do it alone and thé strenght Of yesterday is not enough. Isaiah 40 :29 says Hé give power to thé weak and to those who have no might Hé increases strenght.
In other words naked your weaknesses before Him. Dont assume hé knows. Say it to His hearing and let Him carry u in His arms .@ Ezekiel ThePsalmist.
Sunday, 19 April 2015
DISCOVER YOUR DREAM
Every dream is born or borrowed. It is born within ur own heart or subconsciously
borrowed from some1 who has influenced you.... Whatever creates joy and enfers
within you is probably an indication of what God wants you to pursue..... Your
dominant talent is the center of your expertise. Your success is there,pursue it!
Tuesday, 17 March 2015
Living By Vision &Revelation
OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: WEDNESDAY 18th MARCH 2015
THEME: LIVING BY VISION AND REVELATION
MEMORISE: AFTER these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Genesis 15:1
READ: GENESIS 41:38-43
38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: DANIEL 7:9-8:27 and MATHEW 4:1-22
MESSAGE
Vision is the energy of progress and a determinant of destiny. Vision is no doubt one of the most powerful forces available to a man on earth today. It gives meaning to life, keeps us alive and conditions our lives. Vision inspired the Greeks to produce philosophy and art that still impacts the thinking of our world. It motivated the great Roman Empire to expand its influence and develop the known world. Vision inspired the explorers who circumvented the globe and ignited the creation and expansion of many of the nations we know today. It is your vision that determines your destiny. Proverbs 29:18 says;
'Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.'
True vision is not based on what a person sees with the physical eyes alone, but on the images seen with the inward eyes of the mind. A man of vision sees what God has planned for him before its fulfillment. Vision entails planning and goal-setting. Every great person in history owned a personal vision. A man with no vision is at best a living corpse. He desires nothing and achieves nothing. Is your life directed by a clear vision? Do you know your potential for fulfilling this vision? Have you developed a concrete plan for your vision? What active steps have you taken towards the fulfillment of your vision? Do you recognise people's influence on your vision? These are all questions you need to answer if you will leave your prints on the sand of time. When you begin to act on your vision, it will stir up both those who want to help you and those who want to hinder you. How passionate are you about your vision? Visons requires faith for fulfillment. Have you built up the faith necessary for the fulfillment of your God-given vision? And most importantly, what is the source of your vision?
In addition to true vision, God's people live by revelation. A Christian is expected to operate on a God-given vision and by revelation. Christianity is an intimate growing relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. Every child of God should therefore live by the revelation of the Word. We should live by what the Word of God says. God expect you to arrange your life based on His Word, regardless of whether it makes sense to you or not, and regardless of whether it is convenient or not. God knows what is best for your future,your family, your church and your country. He wants to reveal what is on His heart to you, if only He can get your attention. He expects you to diligently pursue your vision and revelations He drops in your spirit. Actualising your vision and the revelation God gives you requires diligence, integrity, focus, good human relations, prayer and faith. How prepared are you to live by these?
ACTION POINT:
Dust up that vision or revelation God gave you so long ago and diligently run with it.
AUTHOR: Pst E. A. ADEBOYE
Tuesday, 10 March 2015
Higher And Lifted Up
Lord of all the earth and all of heaven
I come and seek Your face
Worship You with all I have within me
Humbled by Your grace
Every heart, every nation
Every tribe, all creation
Will bow before Your presence and sing
You are high and lifted up
You are high and lifted up
And my soul sings hallelujah
To the Lamb, the Lamb of God
Hallelujah to the lamb
Lord of righteousness, You come in glory
Bright and morning star
And all my days I? ll worship and adore You
Healer of my heart
And every prayer, every cry
You alone satisfy
We will lift Your praise again and again
You are high and lifted up
You are high and lifted up
And my soul sings hallelujah
To the Lamb, the Lamb of God
Majesty, majesty
Jesus Lamb of God
Majesty, majesty
Holy are You Lord
You are high and lifted up
You are high and lifted up
And my soul sings hallelujah
And my soul sings hallelujah
Majesty, majesty
Jesus Lamb of God
Majesty, majesty
Holy are You Lord
Sing it
Majesty, majesty
Jesus Lamb of God
Majesty, majesty
Holy are You Lord
Oh holy, holy
(end)
Tuesday, 27 January 2015
Ileri Oluwa lyrics
CHORUS: Ileri re layemi kooma niye oo
e. Ileri re layemi koma niye oo Pebi giga
to gaju le ngbemi lo oo e. pepele tokan
layemi ti igbega ni oo. Ileri oluwa o
awasimuse dandan.
LEAD: Ileri ti e se, nipe agan adolomo.
Wipe koni si agan ni ileyi mo, rojo ibukun
sinu ilee wa, rojo ibukun sori isee wa,
rojo ibukun re, sorile ede yi o. Kirugbin
ashale, kole so eso rere jade!
ee,ee,ee,ee.
Chorus....
Call. Awon onise owo o baba.. Resp.
Jeki won maa rise.. Gbogbo onise osu
baba mimo Resp. Wa fun won ni
igbega... Call: majemu te bawa daaa
Resp: Jeko wa si imuse..
Lead: Ileri te se fun mi oo baba, nipe e o
so agbegbe mi di nla o. Baba, jeki jobaa
re de saye mi. Jeki jobaa re de sinu
isemi. kemi rona gbegba ooo
Resp: Tete wa bamide... Lead: Eyin sa
lese Tobediodomu oo... Taye tiro pe oti
pari fun oo. Joseph bi ogun ti pofun too.
Resp. E sodi prime minister Lead. Aye
febami gbegba ope won nreti ibukun re
layemi ooo. Asiko mi ti tooo baba mimo.
Igba sa lonigba nloo. ee! maje ntawona
maje ntaraka, gbogbo ijakule mi... waa
f'opin si.
ALL.
Ileri tese funmi oo baba 3x Longtime ayo
mi, tete wa muse.
Ileri Oluwa lyrics
CHORUS: Ileri re layemi kooma niye oo
e. Ileri re layemi koma niye oo Pebi giga
to gaju le ngbemi lo oo e. pepele tokan
layemi ti igbega ni oo. Ileri oluwa o
awasimuse dandan.
LEAD: Ileri ti e se, nipe agan adolomo.
Wipe koni si agan ni ileyi mo, rojo ibukun
sinu ilee wa, rojo ibukun sori isee wa,
rojo ibukun re, sorile ede yi o. Kirugbin
ashale, kole so eso rere jade!
ee,ee,ee,ee.
Chorus....
Call. Awon onise owo o baba.. Resp.
Jeki won maa rise.. Gbogbo onise osu
baba mimo Resp. Wa fun won ni
igbega... Call: majemu te bawa daaa
Resp: Jeko wa si imuse..
Lead: Ileri te se fun mi oo baba, nipe e o
so agbegbe mi di nla o. Baba, jeki jobaa
re de saye mi. Jeki jobaa re de sinu
isemi. kemi rona gbegba ooo
Resp: Tete wa bamide... Lead: Eyin sa
lese Tobediodomu oo... Taye tiro pe oti
pari fun oo. Joseph bi ogun ti pofun too.
Resp. E sodi prime minister Lead. Aye
febami gbegba ope won nreti ibukun re
layemi ooo. Asiko mi ti tooo baba mimo.
Igba sa lonigba nloo. ee! maje ntawona
maje ntaraka, gbogbo ijakule mi... waa
f'opin si.
ALL.
Ileri tese funmi oo baba 3x Longtime ayo
mi, tete wa muse.
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
INTIMACY WITH CHRIST.
The apostle Paul perfectly expresses the most
earnest desire of every true follower of Christ:
"That I may know him" (Phil. 3:10 ).
"Knowing Christ," in the Pauline sense is not the
sort of mystical relationship many people
imagine. Paul wasn't longing for some secret
knowledge of Christ beyond what is revealed in
Scripture. He wasn't asking that private messages
from Christ be whispered into his ear.
In fact, the knowledge of Christ Paul sought was
anything but mystical. What he longed to know
was the power of Christ's resurrection, the
fellowship of His sufferings, and conformity to His
death.
We err greatly if we think of intimacy with Christ
as some lofty level of mysterious, feelings-based
communion with the Divine--as if it involved
some knowledge of God that goes beyond what
Scripture has revealed. That idea is the very heart
of the gnostic heresy. It has nothing in common
with true Christianity.
Just what do we mean, then, when we speak of
intimacy with Christ? How can we pursue knowing
Christ the way Paul had in mind in Philippians
3:10 ? Scripture suggests at least five aspects of
true intimacy with Christ:
The Intimacy of Faith
Notice what prompts Paul's comment about
knowing Christ in Philippians 3:10 . He had already
spent several verses describing his life before
Christ (4-6). He cited all the spiritual advantages
he enjoyed as a Pharisaic Jew. But then he
declared that he had discarded all those spiritual
advantages for Christ's sake: "What things were
gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea
doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the
excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my
Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all
things, and do count them but dung, that I may
win Christ" (vv. 7-8).
As a Pharisee, Paul had sought to earn God's
favor by legal obedience. But he came to realize
that the law sets a standard he could never meet.
And so he scrapped all his own works of
righteousness as if they were filthy rags (cf. Isa.
64:6 ). This does not mean that he ceased doing
good works, of course, but that he gave up
trusting in those works for his salvation. Instead,
he put all his faith in Christ--and was clothed in
Christ's perfect righteousness instead of his own
imperfect works.
This is the doctrine known as justification by
faith. Scripture teaches that our sins were
imputed to Christ, and He paid the full penalty for
them in His death. Now Christ's own
righteousness is imputed to us, and we receive
the full merit of it. Without this reality we could
enjoy no relationship whatsoever with a holy God.
Moreover, justification by faith--because it means
we are clothed in Christ's own righteousness--
establishes the most intimate imaginable
relationship between the believer and his Lord. It
is an inviolable spiritual union. That's why Paul
often described believers as those who are "in
Christ."
In other words, all true intimacy with Christ has
its basis in faith. In fact, no relationship with Him
whatsoever is possible apart from faith (Heb. 1:1 ).
As the apostle Peter points out, we love Him by
faith, even though we have not seen Him ( 1 Pet.
1:8 ).
The Intimacy of True Worship
In Hosea 6:6 the Lord says, "I delight in loyalty
rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God
rather than burnt offerings."
That verse means we should not imagine that
worship consists of rote acts of religious ritual--
like sacrifices, burnt offerings, and other
ceremonies. Instead, we need to realize that real
worship is grounded in the true knowledge of
God.
If we want God to delight in our worship, we must
think rightly about Him. The very essence of
idolatry consists in wrong thoughts about God.
And conversely, true knowledge of God means
knowing Him as He is revealed in Scripture.
To put it another way, sound doctrine, not liturgy
and ritual, is the litmus test of whether our
worship is acceptable.
Right thinking about God is therefore essential to
true intimacy with Him. Anyone who would know
Him intimately must know what He has revealed
about Himself. And again, this does not mean we
should seek some mystical knowledge about God.
All we can know with any certainty about God is
what is revealed in Scripture. Those who would
know the true God in the true way must therefore
seek to be thoroughly familiar with His Word.
The Intimacy of Prayer
Jesus himself taught us to seek intimacy with
God through private prayer. Prayer is where the
worshiper pours out his heart to God. And Jesus
Himself stressed the importance of private prayer:
"when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and
when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father
which is in secret" (Matt. 6:6 ).
He was confronting the practice of the Pharisees,
who loved to pray publicly, for show. Jesus was
not teaching that prayers should never be offered
publicly, for there are obviously times when
Scripture calls us to corporate prayer.
But the true Christian seeking intimacy with God
will pray most often, and most fervently, in
private. The true audience of all our prayers is
God Himself. And if we understood what an
incomprehensible privilege it is to be invited to
come boldly before His throne of grace, we would
surely spend more time there, pouring out our
most intimate thoughts, fears, desires, and
expressions of love to Him.
The Intimacy of Obedience
Jesus said to the disciples, "Ye are my friends, if
ye do whatsoever I command you" (Jn. 15:14 ).
Thus Christ Himself made obedience to Him an
absolute requirement for true spiritual intimacy.
Let no one claim intimacy with Christ whose life is
marked by disobedience rather than submission
to Him. Those who refuse to obey Christ as Lord
cannot claim to know Him as a friend. Scripture
plainly declares that He is Lord of all ( Acts 10:36 ),
and He is therefore entitled to demand our
allegiance to His Lordship.
As a matter of fact, those who withhold that
allegiance are His enemies, not His intimates (cf.
Jas. 4:4 ). That's why true intimacy with Him is
utterly impossible without unconditional surrender
to His divine authority.
Again, this takes the matter of intimacy with Christ
out of the realm of the mystical and defines it in
terms that are intensely practical.
The Intimacy of Suffering
Returning to Philippians 3:10 , we note once again
what kind of intimacy with Christ Paul was
seeking: "That I may know him, and the power of
his resurrection, and the fellowship of his
sufferings, being made conformable unto his
death."
Of course, we easily understand why Paul wanted
a share in the power of Christ's resurrection. But
why did the apostle desire to know the fellowship
of Christ's sufferings and be conformed to His
death?
We can be certain that Paul had no perverse love
of pain and suffering. Elsewhere he testified how
he repeatedly besought the Lord to deliver him
from a "messenger of Satan" that was like a thorn
under his skin (2 Cor. 12:7 ).
In the midst of that experience Paul discovered
that God's grace is sufficient to see us through all
our sufferings. Moreover, God's strength is made
perfect in our weakness (v. 9).
God gives a special measure of grace to those
whom He calls to endure suffering. In a familiar
passage in the Beatitudes, Jesus said this about
suffering:
Blessed are they which are persecuted for
righteousness' sake: for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when
men shall revile you, and persecute you, and
shall say all manner of evil against you
falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be
exceeding glad: for great is your reward in
heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets
which were before you ( Matt. 5:10-12 ).
There is a special blessedness known only to
those who suffer for Christ's sake. Those who
would desire true intimacy with Him must be
willing to endure what He endured.
Add all those things together to get the full
picture: True intimacy with Christ involves
suffering, obedience, much prayer, a good
knowledge of God's Word, and a life of faith.
Notice that those are not advanced skills for
second-level Christians. They are the most
elementary issues of the Christian life. That
underscores the truth that intimacy with Christ is
not some sort of mystical secret. It is the whole
point of our life in Christ. Indeed, it is the chief
end for which we were created: to glorify God and
enjoy Him forever.