October 3: INTIMACY WITH GOD

Believe it:

“I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me—just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—and I lay down My life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15

Live it:

We can learn three lessons from today’s text.
1. Know. We all know who our president is. He is the leader of our nation. But do we know him personally? Most don’t. The same thing happens with God. You need to know Him, not just about Him. The first step toward intimacy with God is to know Him as He knows us. We become acquainted by reading about Him, talking with Him, and hearing about Him. As you spend more time in His presence, you will come to know more about what He wants for your life. Take the time you need to know God. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you, and He will.
2. Hear. Conversations with God are usually “one way.” People talk to God, presenting their requests and concerns, and then rise from their knees without giving Him time to speak to them too. In any other relationship we might have, such a practice would not bring good results. So why do we do with God what we would not do with others? Let God speak to you. Wait silently, while you meditate on His Word, and let Him help you feel His love and guidance.
3. Thank. The Bible tells the story of ten lepers who were healed, but only one returned to give thanks. In my experience, this is about the same percentage of the things we thank God for. For every ten things He does for us, we thank Him for one of them. Take time to thank God for salvation, for family, for problems that draw you closer to Him. There are millions of reasons to be thankful; you just have to look for them.

Share it:

Take time today to thank God and another person over something that you don’t usually express thankfulness for.

My prayer today: for the hospitality committee

-Pray that God will help them engage and make guests feel at ease.

-Pray that their words and attitudes can be a blessing to those who come.

from God’s City, My City