Growing More Intimate With Jesus
If the past twenty-four months have taught me anything it is that growing more intimate with my Lord and Savior is truly meant to be my first priority. This morning, when I read the daily devotion from Oswald Chambers (see below), I was immediately convinced “Intimacy with Jesus” has to be Contentment Cottage’s theme for the year 2022 – both here and on my Social Media pages.
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip?”
John 14:9
- “These words were not spoken as a rebuke, nor even with surprise; Jesus was encouraging Philip to draw closer. Yet the last person we get intimate with is Jesus. Before Pentecost the disciples knew Jesus as the One who gave them power to conquer demons and to bring about a revival (see Luke 10:18-20). It was a wonderful intimacy, but there was a much closer intimacy to come: “…I have called you friends…” (John 15:15). True friendship is rare on earth. It means identifying with someone in thought, heart, and spirit. The whole experience of life is designed to enable us to enter into this closest relationship with Jesus Christ. We receive His blessings and know His Word, but do we really know Him?
- “Jesus said, “It is to your advantage that I go away…” ( John 16:7). He left that relationship to lead them even closer. It is a joy to Jesus when a disciple takes time to walk more intimately with Him. The bearing of fruit is always shown in Scripture to be the visible result of an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ (see John 15:1-4).
- “Once we get intimate with Jesus we are never lonely and we never lack for understanding or compassion. We can continually pour out our hearts to Him without being perceived as overly emotional or pitiful. The Christian who is truly intimate with Jesus will never draw attention to himself but will only show the evidence of a life where Jesus is completely in control. This is the outcome of allowing Jesus to satisfy every area of life to its depth. The picture resulting from such a life is that of the strong, calm balance that our Lord gives to those who are intimate with Him. _ from Oswald Chambers (My Utmost for His Highest)
My prayer is that some of you, my friends and followers, will enter a closer covenant with Jesus. Draw nearer through God’s Word to learn more about Jesus in the coming year.
And, if you are reading this but don’t know Jesus yet, my prayer is that you will introduce yourself, ask The Son of God to come into your life, believe He will forgive everything you’ve ever done wrong before today and know that He wants join with you in a strong intimate relationship. Jesus want’s to be your best friend.
Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises.
Psalm 25:14 TLB
Contentment Cottage 
This is so perfect and timely for me and exactly where my heart is too. I’ve bookmarked this so I can refer to it often. Thank you for sharing.
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