Jesus has an intimate relationship with the Father.  He knows before he calls forth Lazarus from the tomb that the Father will raise him from the dead.  He thanks the Father recognizing who it is that gives him his authority over sickness and death.  He makes his relationship known to the people around him so they may believe in him.  In short, because of his intimacy with the Father, his faith is strong, he rests in confidence, and he acts with boldness.  If we are to be like Jesus we, too, must cultivate an intimate relationship with the Father.  If we do, we can rest in faith, be confident for the outcome, and act with boldness.  We will know the outcome before it is manifest and we can thank God in advance.

    Jesus would spend all night in prayer.  He would go to the mountains to pray and he learned how to stay in communion with the Father.  Once we are born again, once we are Spirit filled, we must abandon the world and develop intimacy with God.  We must spend time in silence and stillness so that we can learn how to be led of the Spirit.  If we can conquer the flesh, maintain open communication with God, and learn how to live by faith, we, too, can know that the Father always hears us.  We, too, can know that the outcome is assured.  We, too, can speak with boldness so that those around us may know of Jesus and the Father.

    Our faith is based on our relationship with God.  It is developed by learning scripture, speaking with authority to the mountains of difficulty that come our way, and living a life of obedience in a spirit of praise and thanksgiving.  We must learn how to worship.  We must learn how to praise.  We must learn to be thankful.  As we grow in the Spirit, our intimacy with God will begin to blossom and like Jesus, we will begin to manifest the glory of God.  Make intimacy with God your highest priority.  Spend quality time in stillness and solitude, meditating on the word of God, and working out your salvation.  Get free on the inside.  Become sensitive to the Holy Spirit.  Obey God at any cost. If you do, your life will become a testimony to God.  You will experience true joy, and peace, and love.  You will be so close to God, that like Jesus, you can say, “I and the Father are one.”

    Is there anything more important than God?  I think not.  What you see will all vanish.  What you can not see will last forever.  So be at it for God.  The rewards are much more precious than gold or silver.  Love, peace, and joy come to those who live by faith.  So live by faith and learn how to be intimate with God. The blessing will come to those who recognize what is truly important in life.  “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.  They shall mount up with wings like eagles.  They shall run and not be weary.  They shall walk and not faint.” Is40:31  Desire intimacy with God.  It is how Jesus operated.

amen