November 1, 2007!! I can hardly believe it. Nor can I get my thoughts around my oldest grandchild being 13 on Friday!!
I have a couple thoughts – lets just start and see where we go. I heard a preacher say the other day that he is intimate with his wife but hopes he never becomes familiar with her and he suggested that we would do well to be the same with God. And consulting my on line dictionary confirms what I knew – familiar, meaning: Taking undue liberties; presumptuous. And intimacy in this case I believe is best described this way: Essential; innermost; Very personal; Marked by informality and privacy. And with these definitions I can see why the wise preacher said he never wants to become familiar with his wife. And I like this description of intimacy: Informal and private; essential; innermost; very personal. These distinctions with our spouse are essential for a healthy marriage but even more so are they essential for a proper relationship/fellowship with Father God.
How good it is to be ‘informal’ with God but yet not ‘familiar’. That says so much. Ponder it today, if you will.
Psalm 111: 10 The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom and skill [the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the Lord]. Their praise of Him endures forever.
1 Corinthians 8:2 If anyone imagines that he has come to know and understand much [of divine things, without love], he does not yet perceive and recognize and understand as strongly and clearly, nor has he become as intimately acquainted with anything as he ought or as is necessary. 3 But if one loves God truly [with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing], he is known by God [recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and he is owned by Him].
Father, only You know where this day (evening) will take us but as long as we are with You, all is well. Father, we desire to be informal with You without being familiar. We do not wish to take undue liberties or presumptions; we want to be intimately acquainted with You being able to come before You at any given moment without any formality. We want to be free to enter Your Throne Room at any moment – keep us Holy Spirit on a short leash so this is possible – keep us confessed up so we are always ready to speak with You at any given moment. We continue to remember Brenda and we pray for speedy relief from the pain and yes Lord I selfishly pray that she will be able to minister at the Conference on Saturday – I want to hear her teach Your Word – she blessed me so much in 2004; I’d like to hear her heart again on Saturday. And we bring these others too Father for You to bless them with every good and perfect gift that they are able to receive. We pray for our IDOK Troops that they will remain safe and protected in mind and body and spirit and that You will bring each of them home to us safe and sound and that each will come to love you more and more. We pray for the peace of Israel and for America to repent and Father we pray that You would impress upon the heart of every soul who is saved to vote for the man of Your Choice for President of this Nation. Lord, I want ONLY the man that will do Your Will to be elected President – please make it so Lord. And whatever I can do to help make this happen – move me Lord, move me and this I ask in Jesus name. Amen and amen.
The Peace of Israel Patsy B. Joey and Kathy and family. Kim T. Krystee. Sybal W. Brenda D. Rachel B. Kevin and the children. Lisa’ s Mother. Janie B. W.C. The Ellis Family. Ed Litton and family. Vickie. Lisa W. John Thomas. Cole. Taylor & family. Anita. Kathy. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Toy and family. Katelyn. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn. Larry and Claudia and family. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Martha F and Bob. Rev and Mrs. Carpenter. Allyson and Glen and family and Kaitlyn. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and girls. Frankie and girls. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa and Brad and family. Cindy K and family. Chuck. Jessie L. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Jenny. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam.