INTIMACY WITH GOD
Sarah Sloan
Today's Scripture: “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” Philippians 2:9-10, ESV
Theme: Developing the mind of Christ, while truly difficult to both attain and maintain, is ultimately rewarded by God.
A SLOW FADE
Over the years I have had so many friends who were passionate Jesus followers yet walked away from the faith. Some were disillusioned by the actions of other believers and others by the slow hardening of their hearts and minds to the things of Christ. And while it is so easy to judge the actions of others, at times I can see this slow fade in my own life. It’s not an active walking away: it’s more like growing apart from any friend. Distance, busyness, and just not prioritizing the relationship gets in the way of what once was so vital and life-giving.
THE CHOICES WE MAKE
Jesus Christ, God Himself, longs to be in relationships with you. He yearns for you to know Him, for you to be free, for you to experience abundant life, and for you to be transformed as you set your mind and heart upon Him and His ways. But every transformation journey, whether it be physical, mental, or spiritual, begins with not only the desire to change but also a mindset shift.
Sacrifices must be made, new habits must be formed, grit, perseverance, and determination must set the tone for transformation. Change is hard work. Following the crowd, losing focus, and allowing your relationship with God to dissolve are all seemingly passive steps we actively choose.
It’s easy to confuse the choices that must be made with a performance-based relationship with Jesus. Please don’t misunderstand. This isn’t about rules or morality; it comes down to love. Every moment of every day, you make decisions to walk towards or away from God. Will you set your mind on Him?
DAILY CHOOSING TO LOVE
For years, my husband and I had this anonymous quote over our bed. It said, “I choose you. And I’ll choose you over and over. Without pause, without a doubt, in a heartbeat, I’ll choose you and I’ll keep choosing you.” I loved that quote. I made the sign and hung it. I had decided it was the anthem for our marriage. But my husband was offended. He questioned me on multiple occasions about why my love for him was summed up by a dispassionate “choice.”
Yet I strongly felt just the opposite. I saw the daily choices my parents made in loving each other for almost 50 years. I felt like this was a rally cry for committed love—passionate enough to pass the test of time, it was determined in its perseverance. This type of love conquered all.
Make It Personal: My question to you is this, are you choosing God? Would you choose Him over and over…without pause, without a doubt, in a heartbeat? Will you keep choosing Him, day in and day out over the long haul?
God has already chosen you. He chose you from the moment of creation, from the time you were in your mother’s womb, when He put on humanity to come for you, when He stretched out His arms wide on the cross, and now when He gently calls to you. He chooses you and He will keep choosing you. Will you choose Him?
Pray: God, I want to choose You today, in the big and small ways. I want to choose a relationship with You daily. I want to seek You and come to know You. I don’t want to chase rules or morality, but I want to know You and love You so much that my mindset changes. Help my eyes to stay fixed upon You. “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!”( Psalm 139:23, ESV). Show me how to walk with You and please You because You love me and because I love You. Amen.
Read: Romans 12:1-2, Song of Solomon 8:6-7, Psalm 139:1-18
Weekly Memory Verse: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5, ESV