There is so much more to what it means to be intimate with our Father and Jesus than what seeps to the surface in today’s churches. Even the Bible translators seem to have gone out of their way to strip intimacy out of what the original languages were written in. For instance, what it means to be “born again.” We hear this phrase all over Christendom, but how hollow it is! Being “born again” is the very beginning of our relationship with the Spirit Being who has called us to Himself. The translators really missed it on this one! Take the word, “born”
gennaō
Thayer Definition:
1) of men who fathered children
1a) to be born
1b) to be begotten
1b1) of women giving birth to children
This word can be used for both being born and for insemination by the father. But in this case our heavenly Father is the progenitor. He is not our biological mother, but who is? Father is the one who moves and “broods over” us and inseminates us with spiritual life! That is what it means to be “born of the Spirit.” With us it is just as it was with Mary, the mother of Jesus and how she became pregnant.
“Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know [ginosko – intimate knowing] not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born [gennao] of you shall be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:34-35 KJ2000 – emphasis added)
Then our intimacy continues on for we are inseminated INTO Christ and abide there in Him from then on. Jesus said, “That whosoever believes in [Greek – eis INTO not “in”] him [the Son] should not perish, but have eternal life.”(John 3:15 KJ2000) Salvation is all about in whom we abide. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in [Greek – eis INTO] him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 KJ2000)
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the children of God, even to them that believe INTO [Grk – eis] his name [character or personage]: Who were born [gennao – inseminated], not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13 KJ2000)
The initial act by the Father is one that makes us spirit beings and then through faith places us INTO the Son. Jesus is the Father’s womb where we live! From then on we are IN Him. Jesus said,
He that eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, dwells in me, and I in him. (John 6:56 KJ2000 – Emphasis added)
We are eating and drinking from Him just as a fetus does eat and drink of its mother. Paul nailed it when He said,
‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ (Acts 17:28 RSVA – emphasis added)
Jesus’ final prayers are very instructive,
“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also who shall believe on [eis – into] me through their word; That they all may be one; as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that you have sent me. And the glory which you gave me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and you in me, that they may be made perfect in [eis – into] one; and that the world may know that you have sent me, and have loved them, as you have loved me. (John 17:20-23 KJ2000 – emphasis added)
As I hope you can see, everything about what it means for us to become a NEW creation IN Christ is about intimacy. We who are His body and Bride have our singular being (not beings) IN the Father and the Son. This is not mere religious activities that is spoken of here. God is after intimacy with all who are His.
Another thought on intimacy. Jesus said, “But you, when you pray, enter into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:6 KJ2000). Prayer is our time of intimacy in secret with the Father, not a public performance. We enter into our room with Him and shut the door. What room? The room that Jesus has prepared for us for our intimate communion with the Father and the Son. Jesus said,
“Let not your hearts be troubled; believe [INTO – Grk. eis) God, believe also [INTO – Grk. eis] me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:1-3 RSVA)
We are the BRIDE of Christ, not His platonic girlfriend. There is so much more to becoming the Bride of Christ than attending endless church meetings. Jesus first prepares the bridal chamber for us and then invites us into it with Him. We can have that intimacy now in this life as we learn to go into our heavenly room in our Father’s house and shut the door with Him. Oh, what intimacy is ours if we will just open our eyes and follow our Bridegroom.
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:10 RSVA)
A Wilderness Voice 
Thanks for these words. Very supportive of things i was communicating this week. I was having a discussion with some folks on being born from above. They suggested it was only a metaphor with no real meaning. How wrong we are when the spirit does not reveal things to us.
Your writing and comments show that there is so much more to being born from above. I am reminded of how Paul labored as a women in travail with the Galatians.
Gal 4:19 Little children mine, with whom I am travailing again until Christ may be formed in you!”
Thanks for the further enlightening and encouraging words.
Thanks Brother!!
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Rick, you are welcome. Thanks for that verse out of Galatians, too. Yes, as we are in the womb of Christ, it is HE who is being formed in us as we grow. Also, like Jesus said to the Pharisees, “Because you say you see, you are blind.” The mind of unregenerate man can not apprehend the things of God.
Thank you for stopping by and sharing your heart,
Michael
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“God is after intimacy with all who are His.”
“We are the BRIDE of Christ, not His platonic girlfriend.”
Those are some tasty morsels there! Yummy!
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Gypsy, You made me smile. God bless you.
Michael
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Hey Michael,
You make a lot of good points and I hope that it helps a lot of people!
I thought I would drop a line and ask how you’ve been doing. I hope things are going well! Is there anything I can pray for you about?
Lindsey
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Dear Lindsey, Thank you for your kind reply. My health is pretty good for an “old guy.” 🙂 But I would only ask for prayer for one thing, That I might see Jesus as He is and know Him in a full revelation… ALL that God has for me to walk in, no matter what the cost. Thanks so much for asking. Is there anything that I can pray for you about?
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Thanks for asking back! I would ask for prayers of better understanding not only for myself but also those that are blinded in this world (especially those close to my heart that lack understanding). Also for oneness with Him and with fellow believers.
Glad to hear you’re doing well!
Lindsey
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Lindsey, what a wonderful prayer request, not only for yourself, but for the understanding of others to be opened as well. I think that the more we are drawn into the fulness of Christ the more we will be filled with His love and put others ahead of ourselves. As Paul put it, “…I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen by race.” (Romans 9:2-3 RSVA)
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Reading how giving they were always reminds me of how we should strive to be; it makes me realize how much we all need to work on ourselves.
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Michael, you wrote: “Jesus is the Father’s womb where we live.” I appreciate that visual. And this post also conjure up much for me as Susanne’s did the other day. During December 2013 when I unplugged from social media and public writing I read a book a friend had sent me, “His Desire is For Me.” It was a tremendous month for me, spiritually speaking. I really didn’t ever know or could accept that, “God is after intimacy with all who are His.” To have legalism (from my childhood) and worldliness (from my prodigal life) removed and this truth given in replacement… Wow!
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Becky, like that line out of “Jeremiah Johnson” goes, “You have come far, Pilgrim.” and Redford answers, “It FEELS like far!” Sister, you truly have come far and now Jesus has you surrounded in Him and is washing you with His love, never to lose you again. Love you, my sister!
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That it does, Michael. That. It. Does. Far! He is certain to never lose me again, because it is He that has me in His grip. What grace. Love you in Him!
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Becky, I know how He loves you so and no man will snatch you out of His hand. YES! What grace and love!
Love you IN Him, too, dear sister!
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Michael – your Well Story is wonderful! (And funny) I love having visual illustrations to help me recall spiritual truth (since I cannot memorize). Your well will stick with me. Like you, I have had to clear out muddled, and just plain wrong, Bible teaching (like the trash at the bottom of your well). But man oh man, once the water started to flow it’s been one awesome flood! I am still careful about who I read or listen to — it was so much work to unravel the mistaken notions about who God is and what He wants. I’m old now — don’t have time for any nonsense! To be honest, when I first started reading your stuff, I had to stop and do some checking (I’m a true Berean). Now I read with confidence knowing that your approach is different from mine and causes you to see things I don’t see. I also see things that other people miss. You have a much more creative mind than I do so I really like knowing what you have discovered in God’s written Word. Shows how we need each other in the body — right? I have a very strong doctrinal foundation and, without having to focus on doctrine now, I can enjoy the ‘story’ aspect of Scripture and I thrill to see the way everything fits together from beginning to end. I’m so happy to have gotten past the “Bible as a manual for life” bit. With the Spirit as our Teacher it is a bottomless revelation of the triune God, His heart and His ways!!
I’m glad you like the reader for Union and Communion. I can’t listen when I’m distracted and annoyed by the reader’s style. And I tend to do better with soothing voices. Right now I’m listening (again) to “The Prayers of Paul” by Griffith Thomas. I love how he captures Paul’s tender, yet strong, heart.
Looking forward to hearing from you about S of S. You know what I miss? Being in a group where people love to hash-out and share what they are learning from Scripture. So rare.
Abundant blessings on you my brother in Christ!! Enjoy the Lord!
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Dear Lori,
Yes, God prepares each of us to come together with a piece of what he wants to teach His body. True Christian fellowship consists of each member sharing his part under the guidance of the Spirit of Truth who makes it all come together. As for my “creative mind,” well, God didn’t start to use me to write until my mind started slipping. So, I said, “This is really great, Lord. You wait until I am losing my mind and THEN you decide to use me!” To this He answered, “And your point is?” Then I remembered Paul’s words,
So, dear sister, if what I write is “creative” it is only so by the grace of God. Some bloggers feel that they have to put out something almost every day so that people don’t lose interest in their site. For me, I try to only write when the Spirit has given me the inspiration. The funny thing is that this inspiration usually comes from a time of sharing in the Spirit with another saint of God.
Well, dear Lori, back to listening to “Union and Communion” before I go off to bed for the night.
God bless you,
Michael
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Hi Becky – You may be interested in another excellent book on the Song of Solomon when you are ready to look at it again. I read “His Desire is For Me” several years ago and then found Hudson Taylor’s book “Union and Communion” a year later. I went through S of S again and loved it just as much. Who can get enough of Song of Solomon? What an amazing revelation of intimacy with Christ! I am my Beloved’s and He is mine — this verse has sustained me many times. Like you, I have childhood experiences that have made it difficult to comprehend God’s desire for us. I celebrate with you on your freedom past issues!
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Lori, immediately after finishing the book, I found a large and quite expensive plaque at Hobby Lobby with that verse on it: I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine. I waited for it to go on sale 50% and snatched it up. It hangs on the wall of my reading room; I was just admiring it and receiving its truth this morning, with a handwritten note taped on the back with the backstory of why I wanted it and what it meant to me. I will make note of that other book, thank you!
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Lori, I found that book by Hudson Taylor “Union and Communion” on line and printed it out to read. Thanks so much. It is very timely for me. Bless you my dear sister!
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Michael, I love audio books because I can get a lot more “reading” in that way. I found Hudson Taylor’s book on Librivox.org and the reader is good, in case you might be interested. I love to marinate in good teaching, audio books allow me to that. I love the little ‘twist’ that takes place in S of S where the Schulamite moves from “He is mine, and I am His” to “I am His and He is mine.” Just another version of “He first loved us” This is also pictured in the contrast between Peter and John in the Gospels. Peter was passionate in His love for the Lord — but his love for Christ could not sustain him. John was overwhelmed with the Lord’s love for him (referred to himself at the ‘disciple whom Jesus loved’) and it defined his different approach to the Lord. Peter came into it as well, not saying he didn’t — but those kinds of contrasts are there to say something to us as we read.
Also, my favorite thing from S of S — the King says to his bride “You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride, with once glance of your eyes….” I am the Schulamite, the one burnt by sun — the king is my Lord who loves me as I am. Sweet words, sweet thoughts — a window into the heart of God!
Also — lots of Andrew Murray audios on Librivox as well.
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Lori, thanks for your comments on my blog. It was interesting how you have seen the Song of Songs in its stages of progression and then compare Peter’s love to that of John. Thanks for the Librivox.org URL. I downloaded the book by Hudson Taylor and will listen to it soon. I am also an Andrew Murray fan.
You wrote, “the King says to his bride ‘You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride, with once glance of your eyes….’ I am the Schulamite, the one burnt by sun — the king is my Lord who loves me as I am. Sweet words, sweet thoughts — a window into the heart of God!” YES, dear sister, this is truly a window into the great heart of our Father. Thanks so much for sharing your own heart on here with us.
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Becky – Great story about the plaque! I’m sure you’ll enjoy the other book and whenever you read it, I hope you’ll share with us what you take away from it.
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Michael, Let us know what stands out to you after you read/listen to S of S! It’s always so beneficial to hear what others learn from Scripture — and it’s usually something I missed. The well is deep and one never gets to bottom of it! (And it seems the water is sweeter the deeper you go).
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Lori, yes, I will let you know what the Lord shows me this time through the S of S. I started listening to the audio book last night, btw. The reader has a very soothing voice. https://librivox.org/author/1534?primary_key=1534&search_category=author&search_page=1&search_form=get_results
Yes, the well always goes deeper.
One time we bought a piece of land that had an old hand dug well on it and I had to re-dig it so I could use it. It had all manner of stuff in it from over the years tossed down in it. Well, with my wife’s help we brought up part of the old well house, about ton of water logged pine cones that the squirrels had stored in it, a couple of dead squirrels, lots of rocks, and finally we got down to the bottom of the main well to find that it continued on deeper with a smaller casing in it which I was able to dig out only three more feet deeper because it was too small for me to be down inside of. BUT the water was there and it was flowing back in as fast as I could bail it out with a bucket. I think the whole scenario was a vivid lesson to me about God’s Spirit led truth and persistence in seeking it, “keep seeking and you will find.”
Over the years men have made a mess out of the truth of God’s word by adding to it and He had to remove from me a lot of bad teaching and purify my mind (we used bleach to treat the water before we started using it), so I could finally start hearing HIS voice in it all, but it has been worth all the trials and testing to finally get into HIS flow.
God bless you, Lori.
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Lori J. says:
March 29, 2015 at 7:43 am (Edit)
Michael — I’m having a bit of confusion about how to do blog replies. Example: I want to reply to your last comment to me, but there is no reply “button” and I don’t know exactly where to go so the reply lands in the right spot. Help!!!
I was going over the 1Cor. 2 passage you cited (since everything about the Holy Spirit is on my radar right now) and synthesized the last part down to this: OUR LIVES ARE MEANT TO BE A DEMONSTRATION OF THE SPIRIT AND POWER OF GOD. To me that says: THIS is what the life of a Christian is about. I’ve been following Saeed Abedini’s situation (prisoner in Iran) and have seen how the gospel is going out around the world because Saeed is a walking, talking demonstration of the Lord’s sustaining power in him. Prisoners and guards have seen it; and the story has gone out to the entire world. But this is same power I should be demonstrating in my little life in Colorado. I saw it for Saeed and other persecuted believers, but I forgot to realize it for myself.
How is it that we can understand something to a degree, but then it comes at us in a different context at a different time (like when we really need it), and suddenly it’s like a bolt of lightning? It’s really just another layer of something we know, but it seems like something entirely new! I just got a wonderful drink from the deep well (not the one with dead squirrels though — tee hee).
God is the faithful One and always knows what we need for our progress in growth!
Enjoy Him, brother! (And thank you)
Lori
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Hi Lori,
Yes, “OUR LIVES ARE MEANT TO BE A DEMONSTRATION OF THE SPIRIT AND POWER OF GOD.” Or as Paul put it, “IN Him we live and move and have our being.”
As for how our understanding being expanded and blown wide open to reveal a greater reality into the depths of our hearts like we had never seen it before, right when we needed it. I just had that happen this evening while reading another blog. I had totally come to the end of my ability to believe that God would come through for me or that He loved me even and BAM! There it was. Like you said, “God is the faithful One and always knows what we need for our progress in growth!” Yes, it is ALL about enjoying HIM and making HIM the delight of our heart and everything else falls into alignment.
Thank YOU, dear sister!
Michael
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Well-wrought and excellently written, Michael. Period. 🙂
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Thank you, Susanne. I am so glad that we have been given the mind of Christ, aren’t you? I know that my old mind can not write like this.
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Yes, that is true, Michael. I also know that I was never able to write the way I do today without His inspiration. Our skills need to be enlightened until our whole (spiritual) body (i.e. soul) is light and can be seen through our eyes from others too.
“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Mt 6:22-23 ESV)
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This post was very good. I know very little Greek. The word “into” is a much stronger word than “in”. A similar comparison: the word “surrender” is a much stronger word than “submit”.
Spiritual intimacy: a deep surrender into the Lord.
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Thanks Tim,
Yes, what a world of difference this little word “into” makes in how we relate to our Savior and the depth of our great salvation. God has always withheld for an unconditional surrender on our part. A woman in love surrenders herself to her man because of that love, but a prostitute submits to a man for the right price. Thank you, my brother, for your input.
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This is a powerful statement: “A woman in love surrenders herself to her man because of that love, but a prostitute submits to a man for the right price.”
We can either have an intimate marriage with the Lord or else we can be prostitutes to some man-made religious system (Spiritual Babylon).
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Tim, regarding Sunday religion, a dear friend of mine who understood the difference used to say, “When a prostitute falls in love, she is out of a job.” I pray that God smites all those who are lost in that system with a deep love for Jesus and that they will never again accept a substitute lover with his wedge of gold and Babylonian garments.
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[…] This is from A Wilderness Voice Blog: […]
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Supernatural experience of close intercourse with the living creator–His spirit being with our spirit being..we don’t just step in to belief but into divine life and we dance–your article and those comments are sweet stuff.
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Kenneth, Yes, stepping INTO divine life and dancing with Him. What a picture you paint of intimacy. Thanks, my brother.
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Hi Michael,
I found your website and blog earlier this week. Today I read “Into All Truth” and listened to “The New Exodus” on the website. Then I came to your blog and read this wonderful post on Intimacy. I did read (more than once) the listing of Scriptures on the Holy Spirit at the end of “Into All Truth” and will be printing them out to meditate on them for as long as it takes for me to actually get it! I mean, I do get it, but I want to get it more! This is the perfect post to read after basking in, breathing in and exulting over the ‘Holy Spirit’ Scriptures. This has turned into a very good day; one that didn’t start out well — but I asked the Lord for His help without really knowing exactly what I needed. He did know (of course!) and He provided more than I could ask or think.
Loving your blog and happy to find one where people are having real conversations about spiritual things and encouraging one another IN THE LORD.
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Dear Lori,
I am glad you found us on here. It sounds like the Lord has put a deep hunger in your heart for Him, dear sister. You have blessed me to hear that you have found help for your journey in the things we have written both on the website and the blog. We are all in process of not only finding the truth, but walking in it and in that process we eventually find out that “the truth” is not just adhering to what is right, but being enfolded into HIM who is ALL Truth. May Father continue to bless you as you seek the light that is found in His face. Welcome to our fellowship.
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Thanks for writing this. It is so important. Many are starting to seek the power and expression. ‘But if we have not love’ if we do not live from intimacy with the Father, we are nothing.
Seek the face not the hands.
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Messenger, thank you for the reminder that without love, intimacy, with and from the Father, we have nothing. It is interesting that you said, “See, the face not the hands.” This exact advise is what I was given by an old saint back in 1994 when I was about to go to some “signs and wonders” type meetings. It kept me out of all manner of deception. I still seek His face.
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Thanks Mike for sharing this.. How encouraging this is.. You remember the book(The New Creation Rule) you sent to me then, yesterday I stumbled on it…I wanna give it a read once again…
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Thank you, John. It is good to hear that this was a blessing for you. Also, I am blessed you still have that book we wrote. The New Creation that we are called INTO IN Christ is one in which all the walls of separation are torn down, thus making the way for greater fellowship with God and with Christ’s body where we walk in the Light as He is in the light and that transparency in His love is the foundation of our fellowship with Jesus and with one another. Thanks for staying in touch.
BTW, how dangerous is it there where you are in the middle of Nigeria for Christians? What can we pray for concerning the saints over there?
Love you, my brother.
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John, that was a wonderful phone call I got from you yesterday. I really enjoyed the fellowship with you, my brother. I am praying for your election over there in Nigeria. God bless and keep you safe.
Michael
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Just seeing this notification… Thanks for your prayers and for spending some time with me… Love you brother
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You are welcome, John. Love you, too.
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I have been feasting on the intimacy piece and the comments,etc. Thank you, my Brother , and the other saints who posted comments.
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You are welcome, Pat. I am glad to hear that you are enjoying the feast with all of us adding our part. I am sure you have something for the rest of us, too, so feel free to join in and let us know what you are hearing as well.
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Michael, This post was very timely for me. I had wonderful intimate experience with Jesus. I didn’t quite understand it, but you explained it perfectly! Thank you! God Bless!
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Dear Patricia S., It has really blessed me to read your comment. To hear that even one person was helped to know the intimacy that Jesus has for us with Him in this life, THAT is enough.
And they came to John, and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you bore witness, here he is, baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “No one can receive anything except what is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him. He who has the bride is the Bridegroom; the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice; therefore this joy of mine is now full. He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:26-30 RSVA)
http://awildernessvoice.com/ElijahCompany.html
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Michael, this is good. Some time ago I was thinking about the term “bride of Christ” and considered that we should pay close attention to the natural attributes when the Lord uses a similitude to describe something spiritual. What is the key role of a wife in God’s economy? I think you have hit on it. The wife;s unique role under God is her ability to bare children. As you say Christians speak to being born again as if this was the end result rather than the beginning. Just as woman conceives a child in the womb, the bride of Christ has conceived by the Spirit inner man and a new creation comes to life. The question then comes will the wife carry the child to term, nurse it with milk until it can eat solid food, and grow to maturity as a man in the fullness of Christ? This is what the Lord seeks–many beloved sons, begotten of the Father.
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Glen, good to hear from you again, my brother! Yes, what the Father seeks is many sons who are raised up into the fullness of Christ. May we all not only be fed by “the sincere milk of the word,” but grow up to know what meat IS in His economy as well and, “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work.” (John 4:34 ASV)
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‘In him we live and move and have our being…… Michael I read this the other week but I could not get my head around it at all ….. God is so working on my heart such deep love I feel for God and what Paul says is how I feel ‘In him we live and move and have our being’. I feel that I no longer live but it is Christ pouring out of me ….. does this make sense to you Michael? ……. Forgive my ignorance on these heart matters ….. so used to just the training of the mind. I saw a beautiful love scene on a drama set in olden times in Cornwall actually so the scenery which I know and is beautiful captures the spirit of natural love. The husband said to his wife, new wife ‘I am your humble servant’. I saw Christ when he said that to his beautiful new bride. His heart towards us in love, humility, adoration and servant-hood. ……. This intimacy changes EVERYTHING Michael ….. the thing I feared is the very thing I needed with God. Thank you for your careful and thoughtful post. God Bless …. jacqui xx
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Oh, Jacqui. I am so happy to hear that you are having a breakthrough with Jesus and His great love for you! Yes, intimacy with Him changes everything. To see ourselves totally IN HIM… THAT is the key. Yes, “IN HIM we live and move and have our being.” I also love how Paul did not say “beings.” We are ALL ONE IN Him! WE have One collective Being and are members one of another in His love. As Jesus prayed,
“I in them, and you in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that you have sent me, and have loved them, as you have loved me.” (John 17:23 KJ2000)
We are made perfect as we abide in them and in their love for us, serving one another as Jesus our Servant serves us and make intercession for us before the Father. Thank you so much for sharing your heart on here, my sister.
Michael
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Jacqui, this discussion of ‘His heart towards us” reminds me of the book of Jeremiah. Several years ago I told a friend that the Lord led me to read the book of Jeremiah. He said, “Jeremiah?! That’s such a depressing book.” But what I found in that book was absolutely amazing! Yes, Jeremiah is called “The Weeping Prophet” because he took up the heart of God for His people, Israel (who were constantly rejecting Him and running after idols). But why would God weep over a people He did not love?
Well, what I see in the book of Jeremiah is a Father who calls them “My people” 43 times even though they are turning away from Him. What I see are constant pleas to “come back to Me” and “return to me;” and the words “you have forgotten Me.” He says “I called you and you did not answer.” Jer. 8:18 He says “My sorrow is uncontrollable! My heart is pained within Me.” Then in Chapter 23 He says “Woe to the shepherds (the leaders of the people) who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture . . . who have not tended them (taken care of them). . . . I will raise up shepherds over them who will care for them..” I LOVE THAT! He tells them that HE will lovingly make sure they are taken care of.
Later (chap. 31) We are told, “I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them and make them rejoice for their sorrow. … My people shall be satisfied with My bounty, says the Lord.”
I came away from the book of Jeremiah with a breathless understanding of the heart of God — even for a wayward, rebellious nation whom He referred to as a ‘harlot!’ What kind of love is this? Who would not want to know the Person who loves like that? Who would not want to have the love that He obviously longs to give? After I read Jeremiah, I began to see this same love — the same pleading for His people to respond to Him throughout the whole of Scripture. It’s not expressed the same way in the New Testament, but when we read the NT we are seeing the same God with THAT heart for us; He is simply using different ways to express and unfold His love. I hope this gives you, Jacqui (who delights His heart with your love for Him), an even more vivid understanding of the One who loves beyond our capacity to fully grasp.
Enjoy Him! Lori
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Dear Lori thank you so much for this. I love the Book of Jeremiah often I count different themes in books like in Ephesians the word God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are mentioned over 70 times in just six chapters. It takes Lori those who truly love God to point these things out. Bless you jacqui xx
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Wow, Lori! That was really good. You brought out something in Jeremiah that I never noticed before, the love of God for a totally back-slidden people. I have been impressed how Jeremiah spoke forth God’s plan to fix the problem of Israel breaking their covenant with Him by bringing for a whole NEW Covenant to take its place that would be totally dependent on HIM, and not man’s inability to be righteous.
“”Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant which they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD. But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each man teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:31-34 RSVA)
This is the nature of the New Covenant we rest in today. Jesus accomplished it all for us so we can now rest and abide in Him and HIS righteousness. Thanks for sharing this, my sister.
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Thanks for a great reead
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You are welcome.
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