JANUARY 26, 2025
Topic: “BENEFITS OF INTIMACY WITH GOD: MAKING RIGHT DECISIONS”
Text: Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)
Memory Verse: “Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” – Luke 10:42.
The practice of intimacy with God is becoming unpopular among believers of today. Several things are taking up our attention to the detriment of our fellowship with the Almighty God. The Lord has not hidden His eternal desire from the very beginning that He created us for His pleasure. The text for today opens our eyes to the priority of being with God in an intimate relationship because “service” denied Him of relating with us. While Martha was busy with many “necessary chores”, the Master commended Mary for sitting at His feet for fellowship. This reveals to us that God’s priority is in intimate relationship with Him. Service in the kingdom of God is good and commendable, but it must not be at the sacrifice of intimate relationship with Him.
Lack of understanding of the benefits of intimacy with God has brought about disconnection from God as well as emptiness and frustration in the life of many Christians today. Intimacy with God ushers a Christian into God’s presence and glory where he experiences the full beam of His light, making him to bask in God’s glory and grace all day long. A practice of intimacy with God provides the strength a believer needs to withstand the day-to-day trials of life. A man with an intimate relationship with God will not make the wrong decision or take the wrong step because the Lord will always show him the right path to follow as we see in the life of Samuel. He was about to pour oil of grace on a wrong person, but the voice of the Lord cautioned him.
Intimacy with God through regular fellowship, study of the word of God and prayers is the secret of a victorious, blessed and fulfilled life. God states in Jeremiah 29:13-14, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart’.
Leonard Ravenhill stated that “ A man who is intimate with God will never be intimidated by men” It is in the place of practicing intimacy like Mary, that one hears from God, one’s faith is strengthened or renewed and power is received to triumph over life’s challenges . Do you want to enjoy God this year? Then, make it a habit from today to practice being in the presence of God. As you do, you will be richly blessed.
PRAYER: Father, draw me closer to yourself and help me to make right decision throughout my journey here on earth, Amen.