Prolonged Intimacy with God

David is considered the best of the Hebrew kings. How did he get to be such a great king? Psalm 27:4 gives us insight into his remarkable inner life.

One thing I have desired of the Lord,

That will I seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the Lord

All the days of my life,

To behold the beauty of the Lord,

And to inquire in His temple (Ps 27:4).

David wanted prolonged intimacy with God. “That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” We should have a similar ambition. We should have communion with God, not just on Sundays, but everyday. Like Enoch we should walk with God. Like Paul instructed, we should keep in step with the Spirit.

Why is prolonged intimacy with God so important?

  1. For the purpose of worship, “that I may behold the beauty of the Lord.” Like Solomon in the Song of Solomon we should be enraptured with our love for God. Smitten. Amazed. Ecstatic. Being lost in love with God is the best way to rise above the distasteful distractions of the world. Adoring God is how to increase faith.

  2. For the purpose of guidance, “and to inquire in his temple.” We need the Lord’s wisdom for all of the many situations we face at home, work, school, and society. Gaining God’s perspective is how we renew our minds.

How do we attain prolonged intimacy with God?

  1. Prioritize prolonged intimacy. Be single-minded. Don’t pursue many things. Make prolonged intimacy your one and only thing. David said he was after just, “One thing.”

  2. Pray for prolonged intimacy. “I have desired of the Lord.”

  3. Pursue prolonged intimacy. “That will I seek.” The Christian life requires faith and works. Enjoying prolonged intimacy with God will take effort, planning, and discipline.

Constant communion with God should be the aim of every born again believer. Like the branch and the vine described by our Lord in John 15, we want to be so intimately connected with God that we have enduring faith and fruitfulness.



The Healing of a Nation

Numbers 21:4-9

On their way to the Promised Land the Hebrews sinned and suffered God’s judgment (verses 4-6). Their predicament is similar to what America is currently experiencing.

How does a nation get back on the right path and enjoy God’s blessings again?

  1. THERE MUST BE REPENTANCE OF SIN, v 7 “we have sinned”

  2. THERE MUST BE FAITH IN CHRIST ALONE, v 8-9 see John 3:14-15

A Pattern for Prayer

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us how to pray. In Matthew 6 we learn the following:

  1. Prayers of Praise, v 9

  2. Prayers of Surrender, v 10

  3. Prayers of Petition, v 11

  4. Prayers for Forgiveness, v 12

  5. Prayers for Protection, v 13a

  6. Prayers of Praise, v 13b

  7. Prayers of Agreement, v 13c

Source: Steve Gaines

When Hiring

Look for these important qualities when considering a new team member.
1. Character - Do they have integrity?

2. Competence - Do they have the skills?

3. Culture - Do they fit with us?

4. Chemistry - Do they make us better?

5. Coachability - Do they desire to grow?

The Death of Organized Religion

In Mark 13 Jesus told the disciples the temple would be destroyed (Rev.21:22). When will this happen?

Watch for these increasingly difficult birth pains, v 8c

  1. Spiritual counterfeits, v 5-6, 14a, 21-22

  2. International conflict, v 7-8a

  3. Natural disasters, v 8b

  4. Religious persecution, v 9, 11, 13

  5. Global missions, v 10

  6. Family betrayal, v 12

  7. Godly refugees, v 14-18

  8. Celestial phenomena, v 24-25

  9. Second Coming, v 26-27

Unworthy Pastors

Isaiah 56:10-12

Unworthy Pastors are

  1. Oblivious to danger, v 10a

  2. Unable to sound a warning, v 10b

  3. Prone to laziness, v 10c

  4. Greedy for gain, v 11a

  5. Incapable of learning, v 11b

  6. Self-indulgent, v 12a

  7. Without vision, v 12b

Now let’s flip this list and restate them positively to show how good pastors should act.

  1. Alert

  2. Prophetic

  3. Hard-working

  4. Content

  5. Teachable

  6. Disciplined

  7. Visionary