“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name
Immanuel,” which is translated, as “God with us.” Matt.1:23
A healthy and growing fellowship with God brings enduring joy, pleasures, and peace.
“You will make known to me the way of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your
right hand there are pleasures forever.” Psalm 16:11.
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You Because he trusts in
You.” Isaiah 26:3 These are blessings that are scarce in our society today. You cannot get
them outside of a healthy fellowship with God.
Someone once said that a man that is intimate with God cannot be intimidated by
anyone or anything. We find this truth in the lives of Peter and John. “So they called
them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter
and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to
you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen
and heard.” Acts 4:18-20 Intimacy with God gives you such boldness that you cannot get
otherwise. “The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.”
Proverbs 28:1
It is important to recognize that in our relationship with God, He is the senior partner. He
is the one that called and chose us. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and
appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain, that
whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” John 15:16. We need to be
totally dependent on him in order for us to remain relevant. “I am the vine, you are the
branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do
nothing.” John 15:5. The call of God on us is an upward call. It is for us to come up to
Him and He comes down to us. “And He went up on the mountain and called
to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him.” Mark 3:13. The implication of
this is that He determines the terms of this relationship and we must come to Him on
his own terms and not our own terms. His word (The Bible) contains His terms upon
which our relationship with Him must be built. One of the applications of this truth is
that we must alter our lifestyle to line up with His word and not alter His word to suit
our lifestyle.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Anything you do not feed will ultimately die. Stop feeding your lust and you will crucify the flesh.
Similarly, whatever you continually feed will thrive. Feed your spirit every day and all the time.
