Finding Intimacy, Purpose & Peace in Christ

In 2020 when Covid started, my relationship with YHWH changed. The fear and isolation created by Covid pushed many away from our Lord, but for me I clearly heard my Father drawing me into a closer more intimate relationship with Him. It was like he put earbuds in my ears and was speaking directly to my very soul. That small still voice was front and center in my life. My hearing had been sharpened and I could not turn it off.

He used that time to help me see that I had FULL ACCESS to HIM. In this day and age that we live in, we have greater access to the word of God than anyone else has in the last two thousand years. I have been led to explore and dig really deep into God’s word in an effort to get to know the character of Yahweh.

Study of the Bible and prayer are two keys that have opened the door and granted me access/entrance into a greater understanding of not only who YHWH is but who he says I am as well. As I have grown in my knowledge of who YHWH is and who I am as defined by Him, I have begun to understand my kingdom purpose more clearly.

These words I am sharing with you today are a result of two or three weeks of intense study and prayer. I prayed that the Lord would use me to reveal what he wants other believers to hear. So please know this is as much for me as anyone else who reads this.

Let’s dive deeper into His word together. In the book Romans we read:

Romans 5:1-5 AMP
“Therefore, since we have been justified (that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God) by faith, (let us grasp the fact that) we have peace with God (and the joy of reconciliation with Him) through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).

Through Him we also have access by faith into this (remarkable state of) grace in which we (firmly and safely and securely) stand. Let us rejoice in our hope and the confident assurance of (experiencing and enjoying) the glory of (our great) God (the manifestation of His excellence and power).

And not only this, but (with joy) let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance of (eternal salvation).

Such hope (in God’s promises) never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

The definition of justification is the act or action of showing something to be right or reasonable. The action of declaring or making righteous in the sight of God.

Justification means we are acquitted of sin. We are declared blameless before God. The burden of sin has been removed from us. Our sins have been atoned for, made amends for, by Jesus Christ and the blood that was shed on the cross. The guilt and shame of sin has been removed from us. We are overcomers who arise and shine for our great Lord and savior.

Isaiah 60:1 tells us:
“Arise from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you – rise to a new life! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord) for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!”

As justification removes our guilt and takes away our sin, it allows a way for us to have peace with YHWH.

When we have peace with our Father in heaven, we are in agreement with him and his word. We stand firm in the assurance and of His promises and expect to see their fulfillment. We are of one accord and unified as a body of believers. We are all aligned under the authority of Yahweh and working together to advance the Kingdom according to the will of God. We give off a pleasant aroma, a sweet smell, that is pleasing to the Lord.

We have reconciliation with the Lord through Jesus Christ. We have been adopted into His family and we are his kids and friend. We have been granted unlimited access to grace by faith.

A deeper look into this access to grace is quite revelatory. The access Paul describes in Romans 5:2 is more than a formal introduction to the Father. It is a picture of Jesus bringing us into the actual presence of the Father. It is an introduction to having an intimate relationship with Him.

Because of the Son, we are accepted where we probably would not have been accepted before. Something we would otherwise resist because of not being familiar, but after spending time getting to know Him and spending time with him feels so comfortable.

And so it is with us, and our relationship with Yahweh and the Holy Spirit. We have to develop a deep and mature bond with Him in order for us to live our lives from a place of grace that demonstrates to the world the true joy (Shalom) that we possess.

We begin by rooting our relationship with the Father in humility and developing a solid prayer life. A posture of prayer and humility welcomes the Holy Spirit into our lives. Holy Spirit never forces us into a deeper relationship with Him. He is peaceful, powerful, patient and loving.

We MUST make time for Him and invite Him into our lives. We must listen to the small tugs on our hearts so that we may draw closer to Him and walk more intimately with him in relationship.

Walking in intimate relationship with YHWH increases our faith and leads us to a posture of hope. Biblical hope is the confident expectation, the sure certainty that what God has promised in the Word is true, has occurred, and or will in accordance with God’s sure Word.

Romans 8:24-25 tells us:
“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

God gives us purpose! We set our eyes on Him and we aim to please Him, running the race to completion with excellence all while anticipating (remaining expectant) to receive the blessings and provisions His Word tells us he has for us.

But we know that running the race is not always easy. The Word tells us that we will have trials and tribulation.

John 16:33 says:
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have (perfect) peace. In the world you will have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous (be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy); I have overcome the world.”

(My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.) I have deprived the world of power to harm you and I have conquered it for you!

That verse tells us confidently to be of good cheer regardless of our circumstances and worldly conditions. The word tribulation translated in the Greek is THLIPSIS. It is a word which was used to describe the weight that crushed grain into flour.

That gives the word some real depth and power don’t you think? It’s not just a challenge or struggle, it’s hardships that have a crushing effect on us. It’s challenges and adversities that can break us and separate us from the Father and an intimate relationship with Him if we allow them to have that effect on us.

Many times, we want so desperately to avoid the trials and struggles and challenges in life. We don’t take the time to ask God and seek wisdom from Him as to why we are going through these things and what good is being accomplished in me through this difficulty.

God uses our struggles to teach us how to lean into Him and rely less on ourselves while navigating this life with grace and love and mercy for others. He is teaching us to have greater faith and boldness, becoming stronger servants and to live a life that is a mirror image of the life of Jesus.

The reason for tribulation in our life is two-fold; to make us strong, bold leaders who love like Jesus and to create in us a great hope. A hope that is found only in Him and is rooted in the truth of His word.

The struggles we face in life force us to be tried by fire and ultimately made stronger by going through the process. We are refined by the fire and the impurities and characteristics that look more like the world are burned away so that what is left is pure and perfect like Jesus. We are made stronger because of our faith in Him.

Patience brings forth an experience with God building our knowledge of who He is and how much he loves us. It is impossible for us to love others without first experiencing for ourselves the unconditional love of YHWH.

Words cannot adequately describe the way he loves us, therefore the revelation gained when we experience His love for ourselves is necessary. Only then can we share with others the love of Jesus and true joy found only in Him.

Our personal experiences with YHWH bring forth intimate relationship with Him. As our relationship grows, we desire to spend more time with Him in the secret place and studying the word. By doing these things, we are led to a greater faith and hope. Hope that spurs us on and keeps us engaged even if we can’t see it.

We have faith and experiences to confirm that YHWH is our provider and protector. So, if we are to be of good cheer and our lives are to be defined by the joy of the Lord, how do we get there while having to endure our trials, tribulations, and struggles?

We get there by shifting our focus from ourselves and our circumstances to helping and loving others. We strive to be a blessing to someone else and serve them in love. We replace our negative thoughts of fear and worry about our own circumstances with the action of helping and loving others who may need encouragement and to be uplifted spiritually.

Servanthood looks like Jesus. Jesus came to serve others not to be served himself. The quickest way to overcome despair and sorrow for yourself is to serve someone with joy and thanksgiving in your heart.

The posture of a grateful heart is the perfect solution to enduring tribulation in life. From the position of humility and service we are able to find true peace and joy that affords us the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with others while enduring daily life in the hard places.

Are you in a time of struggle in your life? Are you walking through a storm and needing peace comfort while you go through?

I am here today to encourage you to seek time with the Lord. Dive into His word and find scripture that encourages you in the areas where you need it the most. Pray and ask God to give you exactly what you need in this season in order for you to abide in His peace, love and joy.

Then serve. Reach out to someone who may need to hear from a friend or receive a helping hand. Maybe it’s just as simple as a phone call or encouraging text. The process of taking small steps in service toward others is the beginning of moving through your struggle to the other side.

There is beauty and lessons to be found in the daily life challenges we are faced with. Embrace them all and seek to know exactly what you are to learn from them and whom you are called to serve.

I pray God’s peace, love and blessings for you today as you seek Him and to serve others in His love.

I love you all the oceans full.