1/13/2019 Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer Intimacy with God - - PDF document

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Speaker Name

Intimacy with God through Prayer

Saturday, January 12th

9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Come near to God and he will come near to you. (James 4:8)

Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer

• Rev. Dr. Wilson Lattimore

Senior Pastor, Chestnut Grove Baptist Church Past Chair, ACMin Board of Trustees

Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer

Questions to ponder?

• Are you committed in prayer? What does it mean to you to be

committed in prayer?

• Are you intimate in prayer? What makes your prayers intimate?
• Can you be committed without intimacy? Why or why not?
• Can you be intimate without commitment?

Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer

Commitment defined: 1) The act or an instance of committing. 2) A pledge to do. 3) The state of being bound emotionally or intellectually to someone or something. American Heritage College Dictionary

Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer

Do the following scenarios constitute intimacy?

• Spouses who commit to never separating or getting a divorce
• A man and his grandson (not saved) who regularly takes turns

“praying” over their meal. Psalm 55:17 (KJV) David said Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

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Commitment and Intimacy in Prayer

Intimate defined: 1) Marked by closed acquaintance, association, or familiarity. 2) Relating to or indicative of one’s deepest nature. 3) Essential; innermost. 4) Marked by informality and privacy. 5) Very personal; private American Heritage College Dictionary

Commitment and Intimacy in Prayer

The previous definitions give several characteristics of intimacy applicable to prayer

Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer

Then, what is Intimacy? Intimacy defined: 1) The condition of being intimate. 2) An instance of being intimate. American Heritage College Dictionary

Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer

Certainty of the Close Relationship

• Must be certain of salvation and relationship with the

Godhead (1 John 5:13)

• Must confess all known sins (1 John 1:9; Psalm 66:18-19)
• Awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence

(1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 6:18)

Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer

Very personal; private

• Spend time alone with the Lord (Matthew 6:6)

Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer

Four things you can do as you spend time with the Lord to increase intimacy:

• 1. Review the Past:
• Make a list of blessings that God has bestowed in your life,

then spend time each day for the next week giving Him thanks.

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Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer

• 2. Reflect upon God
• List several attributes of God

Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer

God’s Attributes Eternal Loving Merciful Good Faithful Gracious All-Powerful (omnipotent) All-Wise (Omniscient) Ever-Present (Omnipresent) Immutable Holy Righteous Just Jealous Long-suffering Sovereign

Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer

• 3. Remember God’s Promises
• God has made numerous promises throughout His Word

regarding your provision, protection, and potential to receive His blessings.

• Can you recall such promises that often kindle your faith?

Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer

• 4. Make requests of the Lord regarding your spiritual growth.

Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer

Listen… Psalm 46:10 KJV Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer

Isaiah 46:9-11 (NIV) Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel.

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Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer

Examples of being alone with God:

• David

2 Samuel 7:18 (KJV) Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?

Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer

Examples of being alone with God:

• Jesus

Luke 5:16 (KJV) And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed Luke 9:18 (KJV) And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer

Why people don’t spend time with God

• Aren’t sure of their relationship (afraid of God)
• Misperceptions of God, seeing Him as:

demanding distant intolerant angry insensitive stingy inconsistent

Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer

What you believe about God will determine the amount of time that you spend with Him, and the attitude that you have toward God when you are in His presence. Read Psalm 119:97-104, list the rewards of mediating on God’s Word listed in these verses

Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer

Application:

• Be certain of your relationship with God (saved and cleansed

before Him)

• Commit to pray in and by the Holy Spirit
• Find a place to be alone, unhindered with God.

Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer Wrap-Up

• Establish your “place” for intimacy.
• Reflect on past blessings, victories, reflect on who God is, recall

His promises, and express your needs for growth.

• Be still before Him and listen.
• Repeat, repeat, repeat ……………..

Closing Prayer

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How Does God Speak?

• Rev. Dr. David Holt

Senior Pastor, Living Hope Church ACMin Faculty

How Does God Speak?

• 1. Creation.

Psalms 19:1-2 The heavens declare the glory of God … Day after day they pour forth speech

How Does God Speak?

• 1. Creation.
• 2. Word.
• a. Written Word.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

How Does God Speak?

• 1. Creation.
• 2. Word.
• a. Written Word.
• b. Jesus.

Hebrews 1:2 In these last days He has spoken to us by His Son.

How Does God Speak?

• 1. Creation.
• 2. Word.
• 3. People.

Acts 10:22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the

• centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is

respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”

How Does God Speak?

• 1. Creation.
• 2. Word.
• 3. People.
• 4. Circumstances.

Colossians 4:3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message.

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How Does God Speak?

• 1. Creation.
• 2. Word.
• 3. People.
• 4. Circumstances.
• 5. Still, Small Voice.

1 Kings 19:12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

How Does God Speak?

• 6. Prophetic Words.

1 Corinthians 14:1-3 eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy….everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.

How Does God Speak?

• 6. Prophetic Words.
• 7. Dreams and visions.

Acts 2:17 I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your

• ld men will dream dreams.

How Does God Speak?

• 6. Prophetic Words.
• 7. Dreams and visions.
• 8. Pain.

Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn Thy statutes.

The Holy Spirit - God’s Agent of Intimacy

1 Corinthians 2:10-13 The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God….No one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit

• f God.What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the

Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us…not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit- taught words.

Holy Spirit, Speak!

John 16: 13-15 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to

• come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive

what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is

• mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will

make known to you.

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How Do We Discern God’s Voice?

• 1. Bible
• 2. Holy Spirit
• 3. People
• 4. Fruit

Testimony: Hearing God’s Voice

• Mr. Lucius Malcom

Living Hope Church Past Treasurer, ACMin Board of Trustees

How Does God Speak to YOU?

• 1. Creation
• 2. Word
• 3. People
• 4. Circumstances
• 5. Still, Small Voice
• 6. Prophetic Words
• 7. Dreams and Visions
• 8. Pain

Application Exercise

Ask God the following question: Lord, what is one thing you need to say to me right now about my relationship with you? Write down what you “sense” Him saying to you:

How Does God Speak? Wrap-up

Be open and receptive to God’s many ways of speaking to you!

God’s Five Love Languages

• Mrs. Dee Pesaresi

ACMin Faculty

Words of Affirmation Quality Time Gifts Acts of Service Physical Touch

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What is my Love Language?

• How do you most often express love to other people?
• What do you complain about most often?
• What do you request from others most often?

Words of Affirmation Defined

Words used in appreciation of who someone is or what someone

• does. They are verbal compliments and a powerful

communicator of love.

Words of Affirmation to God

Praise focuses on who God is:

• Psalm 18:1-2 KJV I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The

LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliver; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Words of Affirmation to God

Thanksgiving focuses on what God does:

• II Corinthians 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord

Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.

God’s Words of Affirmation to Us

Galatians 4:7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. John 15:15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

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Word of Affirmation Dialects

• Write a psalm
• Write a poem
• Write a letter
• Do a word study on words that minister to you. In turn, use

them to minister to God and others.

Quality Time Defined

Giving someone your undivided attention in order to strengthen your relationship.

God Gives Us His Quality Time

Hebrews 13:5 Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

God’s Response When We Give Him Quality Time

He desires to be near: James 4:8 Come near to God and He will come near to you. Psalm 145:18-19 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He desires to talk with us when we are in need: Psalm 116:1-2 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice, he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

Giving God Our Undivided Time & Attention

Matthew 6:6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you

• penly.

Quality Time Dialects

• Bible Reading
• Journaling
• Walk
• Driving in the car
• Retreat
• Lunch
• Picnic
• Beginning and ending the day

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Gifts Defined

A tangible expression of love given willingly to someone without expecting anything in return.

Gifts God Has Given Us

• Jesus – John 3:16
• Holy Spirit – Acts 1:4
• Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians

5:22

– Love, joy, peace – Goodness, kindness – Forbearance – Gentleness – Self-control

• Gifts of the Spirit – I Corinthians 12:8-

10

– Wisdom – Knowledge – Faith – Healing – Miraculous Powers – Prophecy – Distinguishing Between Spirits – Speaking in Different Tongues – Interpretation of Tongues

Our Gift to God

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view

• f God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and

pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship.

Our Bodies – A Living Sacrifice

Bodies

• G4983
• sōma
• so'-mah
• From G4982; the body (as a

sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively: - bodily, body, slave.

• Total KJV occurrences: 146

Bodies

• G4982
• sōzō
• sode'-zo
• From a primary word σῶς sōs̄; to

save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): - heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.

• Total KJV occurrences: 110

The Gift of Our Love for God & Others

Matthew 22:37-40 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

The Gift of Your Love to Others

“Every time you smile at someone it is an action of love, a

gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” Mother Teresa

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Gifts Dialect

• Self-sacrificing actions (e.g. helping & meeting needs)
• Loving the unlovable
• Releasing God’s presence and peace
• Offering prayer, comfort, or hope
• RE-gifting:

– Fruit of the Spirit – Gifts of the Spirit

Acts of Service Defined

Any action done to ease the burden of responsibility from another person. These actions speak louder than words.

Our Acts of Service for God

Matthew 25:35-36 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Matthew 25:40 The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Acts of Service

John 15:12-13 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s live for one’s friends.

Acts of Service Challenge

Luke 6:27-28 But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:32-33 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.

God’s Acts of Service for Us

Matthew 11:5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. John 13:5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. Hebrews 12:2 For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame…

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Acts of Service Dialect

• Missions
• Cooking
• Building
• Visiting:

– Elderly – Sick – Hurting

God’s Physical Touch

Psalm 139:5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Mark 10:16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Physical Touch

John 17:20-21 My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Physical Touch Dialect

• Appropriate touch when praying
• Touching the untouchable with:

– A glance – A smile

• Hugs
• Ministry in institutional settings (physical presence)

– Assisted living – Hospice Care – Incarcerated

Our Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you that your presence surrounds us always as a tangible reminder of Your good and perfect love. As you touch us, may we be “Jesus with skin on” to those who need a touch from You. Cause us to use our hands to build up others and to bless them; not to harm in any way. Help us to be one with you in Christ through the Holy Spirit so that the world may know that Jesus is Lord.

God’s Love Languages Wrap-Up

• God speaks ALL 5 languages to us—He initiates!
• Ministry to God as we reflect His languages back to Him is

where we find the deepest place of intimacy.

• Our calling is to help others hear God speak through a love

language that they desperately long to hear.

• Intimacy with God can only be born out of relationship with

HIM!

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Spring Semester Courses Available to ALL!

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• The Book of Romans
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Prayer Ministry Hearing God’s Voice Seminar Saturday, February 23rd Effective Prayer Ministry Tools 5 Saturdays this Spring

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• f God
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More than intercession! It’s ushering in kingdom Victory out of intimacy with the LORD!

National Day of Prayer Breakfast

Thursday, May 2nd // 7:00 – 8:30 AM The Classic Center acmin.org/National-Day-of-Prayer Boston Mission Trip May 4 – 11, 2019

• Street Evangelism
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– 6:00 PM

• Contact Alex Fields, ACMin Director of

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acmin.org/Transformed-Conference

ACMin Transformational Prayer Ministry Center

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• f thanksgiving to God.

Building God’s Kingdom Through Love

• Mrs. Cindy Mackey

Director, ACMin Transformational Prayer Ministry ACMin Faculty

“Jesus died for one all-encompassing reason: that He might manifest the graciousness of His glorious LOVE to us, and, in turn, reap the extravagant affections of a lovesick

• Bride. He did it all for LOVE!”

If You Will Ask by Oswald Chambers Hosea 2:19-20 “I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, In lovingkindness and in compassion, And I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the LORD. Through time spent together with God, we NURTURE our LOVE

• Relationship. God speaks over us, declaring how beautiful we are

in His sight. We respond by opening our HEART to Him with greater abandonment, praising the glorious attributes of His beauty and His character, and receiving the lavish affections of His HEART.

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Prayer NOURISHES the LIFE of God within; LACK of Prayer STARVES the LIFE of God within. Jesus NOURISHED the LIFE of God by His continual contact with the Father. Mark 1:35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. (Matthew 14:2; Mark 6:46; Luke 5:16, 6:12,9:28,11:1) Psalm 119:20 The Psalmist cried: NASB My soul is CRUSHED with longing after Your ordinances at all times. EHV My soul is OVERWHELMED by desire for Your judgments at all times. MSG My soul is STARVED and hungry, RAVENOUS!— insatiable for Your nourishing commands. Psalm 107:9 For He has SATISFIED the THIRSTY soul, And the HUNGRY soul He has FILLED with what is good. As the Believer “hungers and thirsts for Intimacy with God”,

• ne can discern the Mind and Heart of God, praying and moving

in accordance with His will. This is the depth, height, and solemnity of our CALLING as Saints in the Advancement of His Kingdom on earth. (Matthew 6:10; 1 John 5:14,15) 2 Timothy 1:9 “God saved us and Called us with a holy CALLING….. according to His own Purpose and Grace … granted from eternity”. The Calling of God: Advancing His Kingdom by Revealing the Presence, the GLORY, the GOODNESS of God… at all times and in every situation (Matthew 4:23, 10:7, 13:11, 16:19, 24:14; Luke 9:60, 12:32, 21:31) Jesus laid down His life, doing ONLY what Father said/ what the Father did: (John 5:19,20, 8:28,29, 10:11,15,17,18) to heal: body, soul, and mind, to teach, to comfort, to pray, to serve (by washing feet, etc), to feed, to cast out demons to resurrect from the dead All done with One Purpose: to Reveal the Father in the fullness of His GLORY! “Jesus loved God with ALL His Being. His idea of deep pleasure, of ‘Soul JOY’, had nothing whatever to do with recognition or accomplishments or approval from others

• r even intimacy with friends.

He found His deepest satisfaction in God. His identity was centered in His Father. Therefore He was able to give Himself to others without demanding anything in return, to care with genuine other- centered passion, and to speak what was true without feeling threatened with the possibility of a negative response.” Soul Talk by Larry Crabb

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God’s GLORY is manifest in OTHER-Centeredness. Hebrews 12:2 Jesus….. Who for the JOY set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the Right Hand

• f the throne of God.

The JOY of Jesus: Knowing that His actions would PLEASE GOD. Joy (“Chara”)= Calm delight, be well, thrive Mankind was created and “crowned with GLORY” and Majesty. (Psalm 8:4-6) Adam and Eve lost their “GLORY-covering” when they sinned. They realized that they were naked; in shame and fear, they hid from God. (Genesis 3:6-10) Mankind was created and “crowned with GLORY” and Majesty. (Psalm 8:4-6) Adam and Eve lost their “GLORY-covering” when they sinned. They realized that they were naked; in shame and fear, they hid from God. (Genesis 3:6-10) The GLORY of God on Moses’ face faded as he left God’s

• Presence. (2 Corinthians 3:4-13)

Through Jesus’ Death and Resurrection, the Believer is now invited into the GLORY shared by the Trinity! John 17:22-23 (TPT) Jesus prays: For the very GLORY You (God) have given to Me I have given them so that they will be joined together as ONE and experience the same UNITY that We enjoy. You (God) live fully in Me and now I (Jesus) live fully in them so that they will experience perfect UNITY, and the world will be convinced that You (God) have sent Me, for they will see that You love each one of them with the same passionate love that You have for Me. 2 Corinthians 3: 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the GLORY of the Lord, are being Transformed into the same IMAGE from GLORY to GLORY, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. Philippians 2:12b 13 ….work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God Who is at work in you, both to will (desire, passion) and to work (strengthen, empower) for His good pleasure. God’s GLORY imparts His LIFE:

• by worshipping Him, we find Health and Nourishment
• by serving Him, we find the Purpose for which we were

created.

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God’s GLORY imparts His LIFE:

• by worshipping Him, we find Health and Nourishment
• by serving Him, we find the Purpose for which we were

created. John 4:34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him Who sent Me and to accomplish His work. God’s COMMITMENT to His GLORY GUARANTEES our JOY: Living in RELATIONSHIP with God (Romans 3:22) and Living in HOLINESS, RELATING to others as Jesus relates to

• thers.

(Matthew 7:12, 22:36-40; 2 Peter 1:1-4) HOW did our LORD JESUS RELATE to others? WHAT does that look like in the life of the Believer? Philippians 2:5-8 Have this ATTITUDE in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but EMPTIED HIMSELF, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He HUMBLED Himself by becoming OBEDIENT to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2: 3-4 Do nothing from SELFISHNESS or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as MORE IMPORTANT than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also {look out} for the interests of others. God instructs us to take up our Cross and DENY our “SELF”. “SELF must be utterly Denied and its every claim is to be

• rejected. Jesus came to redeem us… from SELF!”

… One who has Denied himself becomes an EMPTY vessel to be FILLED with all the blessings and power that God desires to pour

• ut.” (Luke 9:23)

From Steve Smith, Facebook post Andrew Murray, “ SELF is our greatest curse”.

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“Self-Denial is NOT intended to be a morbid invitation to PAIN; He meant it as a glorious Invitation to Intimacy with Him…. yet we often avoid it because we think the price tag is too high. We haven’t yet understood what we are buying. It is like someone offering us a new Mercedes Benz for $20, and we are bemoaning the fact that they are trying to extricate $20 from us.” “Self-Denial and Intimacy go hand-in-hand. It awakens the FLOW of LOVE.” Secrets of the Secret Place by Bob Sorge As we practice Self-Denial, we are saying:

• I want to KNOW and Encounter Jesus!
• I am committed to learn to hear His Voice, to abandon myself

to every Word that proceeds out of the Mouth of God!

• I desire an accelerated change in my heart and my behavior!
• I desire to accrue eternal treasures!
• I long for the outpouring of His Spirit on the earth.
• I aspire to “press in” with spiritual violence in order to advance

the Kingdom! “God never sends anyone away EMPTY…. except when we are FULL of SELF.” Reverend Daniel Kolenda Mankind is masterfully deceptive (Jeremiah 17:9); in seeking

• ur own Glory, we attempt to FILL the Space, created for God to

dwell, with other things. Spiritual Battle= Battle for Competing Desires: God vs. Idols (Leviticus 19:4) When the things of this world fail to SATISFY, we sense that something is terribly WRONG within us; this typically leads to shame, blame, justification, fear and hiding. We become COMMITTED to RELIEVING the PAIN rather than EMBRACing the PAIN in order to wrestle more passionately with the character and purposes of God. (Romans 8:28-30) “We pursue our Happiness at the Expense of Others; God pursues our Holiness at the Expense of His Son.” The Unfolding Drama of God by Reverend Kent Denlinger We attempt to FILL the Space with: self-protective energy, self-serving passion, conditional love, frowning disapproval, irritable impatience.

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The Union between Father and Son is such a live concrete thing that this union, Itself, is a Person. What grows out of the joint life of the Father and the Son is a real Person; in fact, it is the Third of the three Persons Who are God. (C.S. Lewis) God is ONE Who pours Himself out Abundantly …. wherever He finds SPACE. (St. John of the Cross) SIN is a HEART issue so deeply rooted in us that it requires the Spirit’s radical work of DISRUPTION and DEATH through the expertise of Holy Spirit. It often takes SUFFERING to LOOSEN our GRIP on the things that are filling the SPACE reserved for GOD. With the GRIP released, Christ is INVITED into the situation, effectively REDEEMING and TRANSFORMING. If we can “STAY HONEST” in the middle of the Battle for our Soul, the profound Dis-Contentment will indicate that the JOY we are after is being BLOCKED by a subtle enemy that has long masqueraded as a Friend: SELF! Proverbs 14:12, 16:25 There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. The Goal = NOT to pursue RELIEF from PAIN or “SATISFACTION.” The Goal = EMBRACE the PAIN in order to IDENTIFY what is getting in the way of our DEEPEST SATISFACTION: LOVING God and LOVING others. QUESTIONS to ask when in PAIN and/or in a Difficult Situation:

• WHAT is God “up to” in this difficult event?
• WHAT is God EXPOSING in me that is getting in the way of the

GREATEST SATISFACTION, Loving God and Loving others?

• HOW is He TRANSFORMING me into His IMAGE through this?
• HOW is God’s being GLORIFIED in my response?

HONESTLY CONSIDER: Am I more interested in COMMUNION with God that will eternally SATISFY my Soul…. Or

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HONESTLY CONSIDER: Am I more interested in COMMUNION with God that will eternally SATISFY my Soul…. Or Am I more interested in COOPERATION from God that will IMPROVE my LIFE and to find a convenient PLAN that I can follow that will bring about this IMPROVED LIFE?.... BUT, BELIEVERS are NOT defined by Self-Centeredness. Only God defines who we are: “Beloved Children of God”! (1 John 3:1) BELIEVERS are earthly vessels whose CENTER is GOD, Himself, pulsating with the most Powerful Energy of the Universe: LOVE! As we grow from GLORY to GLORY, this God-given Desire to LOVE God and LOVE Others is “unearthed”. We speak with POWER into people’s lives, AROUSING and AWAKENING their desire for God…. until their THIRST for God consumes them. Proverbs 10:11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of LIFE Proverbs 13:14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of LIFE to turn aside from the snares of death. GOD’s LIFE BELIEVER’s OTHERS’ GOD’s GLORY HEART SOULS MANIFEST JOY, Satisfaction His Kingdom Come His GLORY is MANIFESTED on the earth! His KINGDOM has COME; His WILL has been DONE. We have become “people of whom the world is not worthy.” (Hebrews 11:38)

Building God’s Kingdom Through Love Wrap-up

Building the Kingdom through loving God and loving others is our source of joy and the manifestation of His glory in the earth!

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Advancing God’s Kingdom Through Obedience

• Dr. Marcia Wilbur

ACMin President

Recap: The Purposes of Intimacy with God

• To know God (Ephesians 1:17)
• To become mature in our faith in God (Ephesians 4:11-14)
• To engage in kingdom-advancing obedient actions

Obedience = Fellowship with God in HIS WILL in such a way that His presence and power make the act of obeying possible.

Abandonment to God’s Will God joyfully makes himself vulnerable to the desires

• f His people . . . however . . . Our abandonment to

His will precedes God attending to ours! It’s HIS-story! Evidence of Salvation

#1- A decision to turn away from personal sin and rebellion. 1 John 3:6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. Romans 6:6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

We need to hear God’s voice to be reminded we are NEW IN CHRIST!

Parents Friends Career Success Media

Evidence of Salvation

#2 – Trust in Christ alone for your salvation. Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— Romans 10:9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

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Evidence of Salvation

#3 – Surrender to His Lordship for daily living, with and from an eternal, kingdom perspective. Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but

• nly the one who does the will of my father in

heaven.

God’s Call to Action

James 2:18-24 Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

Finding Faith

“God is made known through His works. When His works flow through His children, their identity is revealed, and there is an inescapable revelation of the nature of God in the land. He is irresistible to those who have eyes to see. The walk of faith is to live according to the revelation we have received, in the midst of the mysteries we can’t explain. That’s why Christianity is called faith.” --Bill Johnson, Dreaming With God Luke 18:8 However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Surrendered Love

John 15:9-10 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my father’s commands and remain in His love.

Genuine, God- pleasing obedience can only flow out of

• ur love relationship

with Jesus.

The Problem: Enemies of Obedience Enemy of Obedience #1 - SELF

• Ashamed of the past
• Hiding from God
• Rebellious & not surrendered to

God’s voice

• Ruled by desires of the flesh
• Powerless to obey
• Death-bound
• LOVED by God
• Free from sin & death
• Mind set on the Spirit’s desires
• Empowered by the Spirit to obey
• God’s source of life and peace

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Overcoming Self IN Christ

• Satan has NO power over Jesus (John

14:30)

• Hebrews 2:14 Since the children have

flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—

• As you spend time with God, He will

remind you who you are IN Christ so that you can act like who you are! John 3:6 No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning.

Obedience Unto Death

Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

• Death to self wants
• Death to self will

Enemy of Obedience #2 - FEAR

• Lack of trust in God’s

love and goodness

• Unbelief that God will

supply the power to accomplish what He has asked

• Fear that self-desires

will not be met

• Fear of failure
• Fear of man

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with

• punishment. The one who fears is not made

perfect in love. John 5:20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. John 3:35 The Father loves the Son and has placed

everything in his hands.

• You and Jesus are ONE!

Enemy of Obedience #3 - PERFECTIONISM

Rules-Focused

• Obtains favor through labor
• Trusts in self to do one’s best
• Fears the shame of failure
• Motivated by fear of

consequences

• Fears man’s opinion
• Promises life IF we obey

Relationship-Focused

• Labors from a place of favor
• Knows God’s presence & voice
• Inspires us to take great leaps of

faith for God’s glory

• Trusts God to supply HIS power
• Anticipates abundant, kingdom

life

• Ensures freedom in Christ

(Imperfect) Heroes of Faith

Moses Murderer, Frustrated with Israelites Noah Got drunk Abraham Had a child by Haggar Sarah Laughed at her prophetic word King David Committed adultery & murder Apostle Paul Authorized the murder of Christians

Obedience by God’s Power

What the law demands from us, grace promises and performs for us. – Andrew Murray 133 134 135 136 137 138

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A Life of TRUST is a Life of POWER

• Obedience must be grounded in the confidence that Romans

8:28 is true. Believe, and let every undertaking to obey God be in the joyous hope that comes from faith in Christ’s abundance of grace, in the mighty indwelling of the Holy Spirit, in the blessed love of Jesus, whose abiding presence makes obedience possible and certain. –Andrew Murray, The Blessings of Obedience

Testimony: Obedience to God

• Mr. Greg Thomas

ACMin Graduate Student

God’s Strategies

The view from Mount Zion We get God’s strategies for ushering in His Kingdom when we walk in intimacy with Him!

Wisdom & Power

• Both wisdom and power are available to us that we might

provide solutions from God’s kingdom that meet the world’s needs.

• When we live conscious of heaven and eternity, it changes the

way we live and impact our culture.

• It is our hour to shine for His glory!

Colossians 3:2-3 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden in Christ.

Intimacy Reveals God’s Agenda

1 Corinthians 2:16 We have the mind of Christ. Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. They you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will. Colossians 1:9 We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. Isaiah 55:9 As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

Fertile Ground

The willingness to obey attracts revelation, because God is the ultimate steward, investing His treasures into fertile ground—the surrendered heart. --Bill Johnson, Dreaming With God

• Meditate on God’s Word
• Cultivate your personal love

language with God

• Exercise your “mind of Christ”
• Repent as God reveals
• Ask for God’s strength
• Walk in obedient faith
• Ask for instruction by night
• Ask for dreams and visions
• Ask for an understanding,

discerning heart

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Releasing God’s Kingdom

Matthew 10:8 Freely you have received; freely give.

• We can only give away the kingdom to
• thers in the measure that we abide

(stay remain) in relationship with the KING.

• Our relationship with Our Faithful God

is the bedrock of our faith!

• FAITH qualifies us for the impossible!

John 15:8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Set Apart for Holiness

Exodus 19:5-6 & 8 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured

• possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me

a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” …..All that the LORD has spoken we will do.

We have been set apart for His plans, His purposes, and His glory.

Communion – Made Holy by His Blood

James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double- minded. Isaiah 52:11 Purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD. 1 John 1:7 The blood of Christ cleanses us from ALL sin. (1 John 1:7)

Communion – Strengthened by His Body

• Jesus is the “living bread.” (John 6:51&53)
• Meat from the Passover lamb gives strength for the journey
• ahead. (Exodus 12:8-11)

His voice tells us how to think, act, speak, and PRAY!

LIFE

What do YOU think about this? What do you want me to KNOW about this? What would YOU like my response to be? (thought, word, deed, and prayer)

Words: The Substance of Creating Kingdom

“Nothing happens in the kingdom until something is said.”

• -Bishop Joseph Garlington
• Use your WORDS (prayers and decrees) to call forth kingdom

life

• Give away what God gives you (blessings, prophetic

encouragement, strengthening, comfort, etc.)

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Out of Intimacy You Can Only SAY as the Father Says

John 8:28 I do nothing on my

• wn but speak just what the

Father has taught me. 1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.

A Vos Souhaits

• Rev. Dr. Kurt Genteman

Chair, ACMin Undergraduate Program

Power of Words

Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the world was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made out

• f things which do not appear.

Matthew 12:36-37 I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Power of Words

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit

• Death – Bullying

Sticks and stones may break my bones but……..

Joshua Trump The bullying is taking a toll on Joshua, his mother told WPVI. “He said he hates himself, and he hates his last name, and he feels sad all the time, and he doesn't want to live feeling like that anymore, and as a parent that's scary,” she said.

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Power of Words (cont)

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit 1 Peter 3:9-10 Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but,

• n the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were

called-that you might inherit a blessing.

Power of Words (cont.)

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit

• Life – Encouragement, Blessing

LeBron James “Good job. I'm proud of you,” he concludes. James’ assessment looks like it had a positive impact — you can see Bryce smile after his dad recounts his three big plays.

What About the Blessing?

God blessed: Adam and Eve with “Be fruitful and increase in number.” (Gen 1:22,28) Jesus blessed: Mark 10:16 And He took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

What About the Blessing

Blessing God James 3:9 With it (the tongue) we bless the Lord and the Father. Deuteronomy 8:10 You shall eat your fill and bless the Lord your God.

What About the Blessing

Blessing others Paul ends his letters with a blessing: Ephesians 6:23-24 Peace be to the whole community and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who have an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Our Marching Orders

Roots in the Old Testament when God set apart the tribe of Levi as priests and to “bless in His name until this day.” (Deuteronomy 10:8) 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal

• priesthood. a holy nation,

God’s own people.

Our Marching Orders

Colossians 4:6 Let your conversations be always full of grace. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Encourage one another and build each

• ther up.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but

• nly what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your

words may give grace to those who hear.

Our Warning

James 3:10-12 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

Ready, Fire, Aim Ready, Fire, Aim

Hear from God

• Intentionality
• God loves us and wants to communicate with us (John 10:27).
• Our motivation for blessing is a direct result of His love ( 1 John

4:11)

Ready, Fire, Aim

Risk Luke 22:50-51 Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. … And he touched his ear and healed him. 1 Peter 4:8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.

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Ready, Fire, Aim

Tips

• Be yourself
• Ask God - LISTEN
• Use appropriate touch – hold hands, hand on shoulder – ASK
• Look in eyes.
• Bless with positive and encouraging words.

The Blessing

Numbers 6:24-26 May Yahweh bless you and keep you; May Yahweh make His face to shine upon you; May Yahweh lift up His countenance upon you and give you His Shalom.

A Vos Souhaits Wrap-Up

We have the power and authority to bless others! Just do it! Concluding Thoughts

• 1. Make time and intimacy with God your personal, high priority

in 2019.

• 2. Stay grounded in God’s Word.
• 3. Practice applying what you have learned today.

Concluding Thoughts

• 1. Make time and intimacy with God your personal, high priority in

2019.

• 2. Stay grounded in God’s Word.
• 3. Practice applying what you have learned today.
• 4. Be ready and willing to obey as God directs!
• 5. Build His Kingdom with your prayers and your words.
• 6. Be patient with and encourage others who weren’t here.
• 7. Let us know how we can help!

Discover God’s Heart With All of YOURS!

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

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