“Do You Have an Intimate Relationship with God?”
by Carol Clemans
In my 28 years of counseling (now nationwide), I find myself explaining an intimate relationship with God to the young and old in Christ. At the time of our salvation (Acts 2:38), we are new babes in Christ. To become intimate, we must spend time together. God wants to be #1 in our thoughts, feelings, and actions. When we wake up in the morning, welcome God into our day. Talk to God in an inner ongoing dialogue all day long seeking His wisdom and guidance.
God desires us to love Him with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength (body). Heart, soul, and mind is our inner self that processes our thoughts and makes our decisions. It is the part of us that will live forever. The brain is the computer. Hebrews 12: 1 & 2 instructs us to present our body as a living sacrifice unto Him which is our reasonable worship (AMP). What we do outside the church walls is our true worship.
1 Cor. 6:18 – 20 instructs us that we are the temple (dwelling place) of the Holy Ghost. Our body belongs to God because he bought it with the high price of His death on the cross. Therefore, glorify God in our body and our spirit which belongs to God.
To be holy as He is holy, we must filter every thought through God. When we process our thoughts through God first, then our feelings and actions will be godly. It is a choice one moment at a time. It is allowing the Fruit of the Spirit (Gals. 5) to manifest itself. If we want love, joy, and peace, then we have to choose to be patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and have self-control. It is a choice.
Eph. 4:31-32 NLT “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be ye kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Eph. 5:1 NLT “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do because you are His dear children.” Do these things and you will have an intimate relationship with God!