THE WONDER OF

GOD'S PRESENCE

# 1 The Quiet Time Series  (Part 1)
(The "Quiet Time" alone with God every day is probably the most profound thing you can do to grow to maturity in Christ.   Over the course of the first week of a New Year I want to offer you some inspiration and practical steps to help you develop a consistent and exciting daily QT experience). 

"The Most Important Thing You Will Do Today

Is Spend Time Alone With God."

These words hang over the computer desk in my study.   They remind me that in the business of life, when the pressures of life cry out for my time, I must, with all diligence seek the face of God.    It is there that I gain the strength to face the challenges of life and power for my ministry.   If I fail to maintain my "Quiet Time" I fail to maintain my life and I miss out on the unbelievable privilege of having intimate fellowship with God.   But even more than that, If I fail to maintain my Quiet Time, I rob God of the privilege of fellowship with me.

"If I fail to maintain my Quiet Time,
 I rob God of the privilege of fellowship with me."

 
Now before you dispute that statement as narcissistic or self absorbed, consider the fact that the very nature and purpose of God in redemption was that God might enjoy fellowship with us.    The God of the universe desires a close personal friendship with you.

"The God of the universe desires a close personal friendship with you."

The Wonder Of God’s Friendship
When you think about it, God deeply longs for your friendship.    When sin entered the world through Adam and Eve it brought separation from God.    Sin comes between us.    Adam and Eve hid themselves from God.    Even to this day, sin separates us from God.     But God in mercy kicked His plan of redemption into gear with the promise of a Saviour who would crush the head of the serpent and restore our fellowship with God.

In fact, Christ came into the world to woo lost rebellious humanity back to God.
God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) 
He so longs to fellowship with us that He Himself took on human flesh to redeem us.

Often we are so aware of our own short comings and unworthiness that we can’t image that God would long to have intimacy with us but is true.     He loves us.    His love is the basis of this longing.    If we only knew, God desires our friendship and longs for us more than we long for Him.

If we only knew, God desires our friendship

and longs for us  more than we long for Him.
 

Christ coming into the world was and is God’s offer to renew the friendship that was lost in the garden.    Jesus Himself told us that the Father is seeking those to worship Him.
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:23-24)
Think of it. This is amazing.    God is seeking men and women and boys and girls who will walk with Him and worship Him.    He actually longs for us.     He gave His own Son to bring us back to Him to enjoy this incredible intimacy with Him.    God longs for our worship and friendship.

Don’t Miss The Wonder
The wonder of God’s desire for our friendship is lost to many of us and can be lost to any one of us.     Many of us take God’s love for granted and the wonder and amazement that God wants our friendship is lost.

Many of us take God’s love for granted

and the wonder and amazement that God wants our friendship is lost.
 

We must never forget the wonder of reconciliation through which God gives us direct access into His presence.    Just think of it.    God longs for your fellowship and through Christ, at great cost, has made it possible for you to enter His presence and enjoy His fellowship.     It is absolutely amazing that the God of the universe desires and made possible your intimate fellowship with Him.

It is absolutely amazing that the God of the universe

desires and has made possible your intimate fellowship with Him.

(Check back each day during the first week of January for a complete series of Posts designed to inspire you and give you practical help in developing a daily Quiet Time which is without doubt the greatest thing  you can do to grow to maturity.     Next Post will focus on how to cultivate intimacy with God).