Text- Psalm 63:1 - "You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”
Yesterday, I spoke to you about the principles of developing intimacy with God. Today, I want to talk to you about the things that can hinder intimacy with God.
There are at least 6 of them:
1. Sin
Eph. 2:13 shows us the state of a sinner… (Far from God!). It doesn’t matter how often you go to church, you are far from God if you are living in sin; and come to think of it, is sin so pleasing that you should burn eternally in hell for it?
2. Guilt and Shame
Guilt is feeling bad about what you once did, while shame is feeling bad about yourself for who you have been when you were a sinner such that you feel you are not worthy to approach God or undeserving of any form of intimate relationship with Him. When you gave your life to Jesus, the blood of Jesus brought you near to God. Heb. 4:16 enjoins us to come boldly unto the throne of grace.
3. Distractions
Let nothing distract you from personal fellowship with God; don’t be too busy that you do not observe your quiet time. Don’t get entangled in the affairs of life!
4. Lack of Discipline Discipline,
in this context refers to a set of regulated activity, prescribed habit or self- enforced practice that brings you into intimacy with God. Remember that old rhythm, Read your Bible, pray every day if you want to grow. It takes discipline to do it!
5. Pride and Self Sufficiency
James 4: 5-6 “Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwells in us lusts to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resists the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” God Himself resists the proud; pride is so repulsive to God! It’s practically impossible to harbor pride and come onto intimacy with God. 6. Wrong Association Don’t move or associate with people that encourage sin and/or celebrate sinful lifestyle. One major factor that determines the level of strength of our intimacy with God is the kinds of people we allow into our close circle of intimacy.
Someone once said, when you are saying YES to something, you must know what you are saying NO to. If you are saying “yes” to intimacy with God, then you must say “no” to the six things listed above.
PRAYERS
1. Lord, take me deeper in love with you. Draw me close to your embrace Lord!
2. Lord, please give me a fresh hunger and thirst today for intimacy with You. Put fresh fire on my altar Lord, in the Name of Jesus.
3. Lord, if there be anything in my life that has been hindering my intimacy with you, root them out of my life and grant me grace where needed in Jesus Name.
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