Intimacy with God through Prayer - ACMin NY-NH Presentation.pdfthings of God….No one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.What we have received is not the spirit of

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Speaker Name

Intimacy with God through PrayerSaturday, January 12th

9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Come near to God and he will come near to you.(James 4:8)

Commitment & Intimacy in PrayerRev. Dr. Wilson Lattimore

Senior Pastor, Chestnut Grove Baptist ChurchPast Chair, ACMin Board of Trustees

Commitment & Intimacy in Prayer

Questions to ponder?

• Are you committed in prayer? What does it mean to you to becommitted in prayer?

• Are you intimate in prayer? What makes your prayers intimate?

• Can you be committed without intimacy? Why or why not?

• Can you be intimate without commitment?



Commitment defined:

1) The act or an instance of committing.

2) A pledge to do.

3) The state of being bound emotionally or intellectually tosomeone or something.

American Heritage College Dictionary


Do the following scenarios constitute intimacy?

Spouses who commit to never separating or getting a divorce

A man and his grandson (not saved) who regularly takes turns“praying” over their meal.

Psalm 55:17 (KJV) David saidEvening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: andhe shall hear my voice.

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Commitment and Intimacy in Prayer

Intimate defined:

1) Marked by closed acquaintance, association, or familiarity.

2) Relating to or indicative of one’s deepest nature.

3) Essential; innermost.

4) Marked by informality and privacy.

5) Very personal; private


Commitment and Intimacy in Prayer

The previous definitions give several characteristics of intimacyapplicable to prayer


Then, what is Intimacy?

Intimacy defined:

1) The condition of being intimate.

2) An instance of being intimate.



Certainty of the Close Relationship

• Must be certain of salvation and relationship with theGodhead (1 John 5:13)

• Must confess all known sins (1 John 1:9; Psalm 66:18-19)

• Awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence

(1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 6:18)


Very personal; private

• Spend time alone with the Lord (Matthew 6:6)


Four things you can do as you spend time with the Lord toincrease intimacy:

1. Review the Past:

• Make a list of blessings that God has bestowed in your life,then spend time each day for the next week giving Him thanks.

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2. Reflect upon God

• List several attributes of God


God’s Attributes

Eternal Loving Merciful

Good Faithful Gracious

All-Powerful (omnipotent) All-Wise (Omniscient)

Ever-Present (Omnipresent) Immutable

Holy Righteous Just

Jealous Long-suffering Sovereign


3. Remember God’s Promises

• God has made numerous promises throughout His Wordregarding your provision, protection, and potential to receiveHis blessings.

• Can you recall such promises that often kindle your faith?


4. Make requests of the Lord regarding your spiritual growth.


Listen…

Psalm 46:10 KJV Be still, and know that I am God: I will beexalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.


Isaiah 46:9-11 (NIV) Remember the former things of old: for I amGod, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient timesthe things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand,and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from theeast, the man that executeth my counsel.

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Examples of being alone with God:

• David

2 Samuel 7:18 (KJV) Then went king David in, and sat before theLORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is myhouse, that thou hast brought me hitherto?


Examples of being alone with God:

• Jesus

Luke 5:16 (KJV) And he withdrew himself into the wilderness,and prayed

Luke 9:18 (KJV) And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, hisdisciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom saythe people that I am?


Why people don’t spend time with God

• Aren’t sure of their relationship (afraid of God)

• Misperceptions of God, seeing Him as:

demanding distant intolerant

angry insensitive stingy

inconsistent


What you believe about God will determine the amount of timethat you spend with Him, and the attitude that you have toward

God when you are in His presence.

Read Psalm 119:97-104, list the rewards of mediating on God’sWord listed in these verses


Application:

• Be certain of your relationship with God (saved and cleansedbefore Him)

• Commit to pray in and by the Holy Spirit

• Find a place to be alone, unhindered with God.

Commitment & Intimacy in PrayerWrap-Up

• Establish your “place” for intimacy.

• Reflect on past blessings, victories, reflect on who God is, recallHis promises, and express your needs for growth.

• Be still before Him and listen.

• Repeat, repeat, repeat ……………..

Closing Prayer

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How Does God Speak?Rev. Dr. David Holt

Senior Pastor, Living Hope ChurchACMin Faculty

How Does God Speak?

1. Creation.

Psalms 19:1-2 The heavens declare the glory of God … Day afterday they pour forth speech

How Does God Speak?

1. Creation.

2. Word.

a. Written Word.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharperthan any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividingsoul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts andattitudes of the heart.

How Does God Speak?

1. Creation.

2. Word.

a. Written Word.

b. Jesus.

Hebrews 1:2 In these last days He has spoken to us by His Son.

How Does God Speak?

1. Creation.

2. Word.

3. People.

Acts 10:22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius thecenturion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who isrespected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to haveyou come to his house so that he could hear what you have tosay.”

How Does God Speak?

1. Creation.

2. Word.

3. People.

4. Circumstances.

Colossians 4:3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a doorfor our message.

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How Does God Speak?

1. Creation.

2. Word.

3. People.

4. Circumstances.

5. Still, Small Voice.

1 Kings 19:12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD wasnot in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

How Does God Speak?

6. Prophetic Words.

1 Corinthians 14:1-3 eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially thegift of prophecy….everyone who prophesies speaks to men fortheir strengthening, encouragement and comfort.

How Does God Speak?

6. Prophetic Words.

7. Dreams and visions.

Acts 2:17 I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons anddaughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, yourold men will dream dreams.

How Does God Speak?

6. Prophetic Words.

7. Dreams and visions.

8. Pain.

Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I mightlearn Thy statutes.

The Holy Spirit - God’s Agent of Intimacy

1 Corinthians 2:10-13 The Spirit searches all things, even the deepthings of God….No one knows the thoughts of God except the Spiritof God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but theSpirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God hasfreely given us…not in words taught us by human wisdom but inwords taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.

Holy Spirit, Speak!

John 16: 13-15 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he willguide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he willspeak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet tocome. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receivewhat he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father ismine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he willmake known to you.

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How Do We Discern God’s Voice?

1. Bible

2. Holy Spirit

3. People

4. Fruit

Testimony: Hearing God’s VoiceMr. Lucius MalcomLiving Hope Church

Past Treasurer, ACMin Board of Trustees

How Does God Speak to YOU?

1. Creation

2. Word

3. People

4. Circumstances

5. Still, Small Voice

6. Prophetic Words

7. Dreams and Visions

8. Pain

Application Exercise

Ask God the following question:

Lord, what is one thing you need to say to me right now aboutmy relationship with you?

Write down what you “sense” Him saying to you:

How Does God Speak?Wrap-up

Be open and receptive to God’s many

ways of speaking to you!

God’s Five Love LanguagesMrs. Dee Pesaresi

ACMin Faculty

Words of Affirmation

Quality Time

Gifts

Acts of Service

Physical Touch

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What is my Love Language?

• How do you most often express love to other people?

• What do you complain about most often?

• What do you request from others most often?

Words of Affirmation Defined

Words used in appreciation of who someone is or what someonedoes. They are verbal compliments and a powerfulcommunicator of love.

Words of Affirmation to God

Praise focuses on who God is:

• Psalm 18:1-2 KJV I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. TheLORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliver; my God, mystrength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of mysalvation, and my high tower.

Words of Affirmation to God

Thanksgiving focuses on what God does:

• II Corinthians 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our LordJesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those inany trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. Forjust as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also ourcomfort abounds through Christ.

God’s Words of Affirmation to Us

Galatians 4:7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; andsince you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

John 15:15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant doesnot know his master’s business. Instead, I have calledyou friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I havemade known to you.

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Word of Affirmation Dialects

• Write a psalm

• Write a poem

• Write a letter

• Do a word study on words that minister to you. In turn, usethem to minister to God and others.

Quality Time Defined

Giving someone your undivided attention in order to strengthenyour relationship.

God Gives Us His Quality Time

Hebrews 13:5 Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.

Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do notbe discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you whereveryou go.

God’s Response When We Give Him Quality Time

He desires to be near:James 4:8 Come near to God and He will come near to you.Psalm 145:18-19 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithfulin all he does. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all whocall on him in truth.

He desires to talk with us when we are in need:Psalm 116:1-2 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice, he heardmy cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call onhim as long as I live.

Giving God Our Undivided Time & Attention

Matthew 6:6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, andwhen you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in thesecret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward youopenly.

Quality Time Dialects

• Bible Reading

• Journaling

• Walk

• Driving in the car

• Retreat

• Lunch

• Picnic

• Beginning and ending the day

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Gifts Defined

A tangible expression of love given willingly to someone withoutexpecting anything in return.

Gifts God Has Given Us

• Jesus – John 3:16

• Holy Spirit – Acts 1:4

• Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians5:22

– Love, joy, peace

– Goodness, kindness

– Forbearance

– Gentleness

– Self-control

• Gifts of the Spirit – I Corinthians 12:8-10

– Wisdom

– Knowledge

– Faith

– Healing

– Miraculous Powers

– Prophecy

– Distinguishing Between Spirits

– Speaking in Different Tongues

– Interpretation of Tongues

Our Gift to God

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in viewof God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy andpleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship.

Our Bodies – A Living SacrificeBodies

• G4983

• sōma

• so'-mah

• From G4982; the body (as asound whole), used in a verywide application, literally orfiguratively: - bodily, body, slave.

• Total KJV occurrences: 146

Bodies

• G4982

• sōzō

• sode'-zo

• From a primary word σῶς sōs̄; to save, that is, deliver or protect(literally or figuratively): - heal,preserve, save (self), do well, be(make) whole.

• Total KJV occurrences: 110

The Gift of Our Love for God & Others

Matthew 22:37-40 “Love the Lord your God with all your heartand with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the firstand greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love yourneighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang onthese two commandments.”

The Gift of Your Love to Others

“Every time you smile at someone it is an action of love, agift to that person, a beautiful thing.”

Mother Teresa

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Gifts Dialect

• Self-sacrificing actions (e.g. helping & meeting needs)

• Loving the unlovable

• Releasing God’s presence and peace

• Offering prayer, comfort, or hope

• RE-gifting:

– Fruit of the Spirit

– Gifts of the Spirit

Acts of Service Defined

Any action done to ease the burden of responsibility fromanother person. These actions speak louder than words.

Our Acts of Service for God

Matthew 25:35-36 For I was hungry and you gave me somethingto eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was astranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothedme, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and youcame to visit me.

Matthew 25:40 The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever youdid for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, youdid for me.’

Acts of Service

John 15:12-13 My command is this: Love each other as I haveloved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’slive for one’s friends.

Acts of ServiceChallenge

Luke 6:27-28 But to you who are listening I say: Love yourenemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curseyou, pray for those who mistreat you.

Luke 6:32-33 If you love those who love you, what credit is thatto you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you dogood to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you?Even sinners do that.

God’s Acts of Service for Us

Matthew 11:5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those whohave leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised,and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.

John 13:5 After that, he poured water into a basin and beganto wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that waswrapped around him.

Hebrews 12:2 For the joy set before him he endured the cross,scorning its shame…

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Acts of Service Dialect

• Missions

• Cooking

• Building

• Visiting:

– Elderly

– Sick

– Hurting

God’s Physical Touch

Psalm 139:5

You hem me inbehind andbefore, and youlay your handupon me.

Mark 10:16And he took thechildren in hisarms, placed hishands on them andblessed them.

Physical Touch

John 17:20-21 My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also forthose who will believe in me through their message, that all ofthem may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.May they also be in us so that the world may believe that youhave sent me.

Physical Touch Dialect

• Appropriate touch when praying

• Touching the untouchable with:

– A glance

– A smile

• Hugs

• Ministry in institutional settings (physical presence)

– Assisted living

– Hospice Care

– Incarcerated

Our Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you that your presence surrounds usalways as a tangible reminder of Your good and perfect love. Asyou touch us, may we be “Jesus with skin on” to those who needa touch from You. Cause us to use our hands to build up othersand to bless them; not to harm in any way. Help us to be onewith you in Christ through the Holy Spirit so that the world mayknow that Jesus is Lord.

God’s Love LanguagesWrap-Up

• God speaks ALL 5 languages to us—He initiates!

• Ministry to God as we reflect His languages back to Him iswhere we find the deepest place of intimacy.

• Our calling is to help others hear God speak through a lovelanguage that they desperately long to hear.

• Intimacy with God can only be born out of relationship withHIM!

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Spring Semester Courses Available to ALL!

Join a 15-week Course Now!

• The Book of Romans

• New Testament Survey

• Discipleship

• Biblical Foundations ofPrayer Ministry

Hearing God’s Voice Seminar

Saturday, February 23rd

Effective Prayer Ministry Tools5 Saturdays this Spring• 1/19 - Knowing God’s Heart

• 2/9 - Building Relationships in Ministry

• 3/2 – Connecting Hearts with the Heartof God

• 4/13 – Physical Healing: Set Free &Made Whole

• 5/11 – Making a Heart Connection withUnbelievers

acmin.org/Spring-2019/

Prayer Leadership Certificate6 Courses – Life-changing Transformation!

-Prayer & Spiritual Direction, Dr. David Holt

-Spiritual Warfare, Dr. Kurt Genteman

-Biblical Foundations of Prayer Ministry, Mrs. Cindy Mackey

-Effective Prayer Ministry Tools, Mrs. Dee Pesaresi

-The Practice of Prayer, Mrs. Cindy Mackey

-Prayer Ministry mentored apprenticeship

More than intercession! It’s ushering in kingdom

Victory out of intimacy with the LORD!

National Day of Prayer Breakfast

Thursday, May 2nd // 7:00 – 8:30 AM

The Classic Center

acmin.org/National-Day-of-Prayer

Boston Mission TripMay 4 – 11, 2019

• Street Evangelism

• Cultural Immersion

• Church Planting

• Church Partnering

• Trip info meeting Monday, 1/14, 5:00– 6:00 PM

• Contact Alex Fields, ACMin Director ofOutreach, for complete information.

[email protected]

Mark your calendars!

Saturday, June 22nd

Grace Fellowship Church, Watkinsville

acmin.org/Transformed-Conference

ACMin TransformationalPrayer Ministry Center

Struggles?

Trauma?

Depression?

Relational Issues?

Jesus has the answers!

acmin.org/Prayer-Ministry

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Help ACMin Make Disciples!

• Students

• Staff

• Accreditation

Please consider amonthly pledge!

The ACMin CampusWhere Relationship Grows

ClassroomsPrayer Ministry Center

LibraryStudent Housing

FarmChapel

Prayer GardenWorship CenterRetreat Center

Recreation Area

Our Goal: Groundbreaking!

Co-labor with ACMin Through Your Gifts

2 Corinthians 9:12 Your gift not only helps supply theneeds of the saints, but also results in many expressionsof thanksgiving to God.

Building God’s Kingdom Through LoveMrs. Cindy Mackey

Director, ACMin Transformational Prayer MinistryACMin Faculty

“Jesus died for one all-encompassing reason:

that He might manifest the graciousness of His glorious LOVE tous, and, in turn, reap the extravagant affections of a lovesickBride. He did it all for LOVE!”

If You Will Ask by Oswald Chambers

Hosea 2:19-20 “I will betroth you to Me forever;Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice,In lovingkindness and in compassion,And I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness.Then you will know the LORD.

Through time spent together with God, we NURTURE our LOVERelationship. God speaks over us, declaring how beautiful we arein His sight.

We respond by opening our HEART to Him with greaterabandonment,

praising the glorious attributes of His beauty and His character,and

receiving the lavish affections of His HEART.

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Prayer NOURISHES the LIFE of God within;

LACK of Prayer STARVES the LIFE of God within.

Jesus NOURISHED the LIFE of God by His continual contact withthe Father.

Mark 1:35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesusgot up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place,and was praying there.(Matthew 14:2; Mark 6:46; Luke 5:16, 6:12,9:28,11:1)

Psalm 119:20 The Psalmist cried:

NASB My soul is CRUSHED with longing after Your ordinances atall times.

EHV My soul is OVERWHELMED by desire for Your judgmentsat all times.

MSG My soul is STARVED and hungry, RAVENOUS!— insatiablefor Your nourishing commands.

Psalm 107:9 For He has SATISFIED the THIRSTY soul, And theHUNGRY soul He has FILLED with what is good.

As the Believer “hungers and thirsts for Intimacy with God”,

one can discern the Mind and Heart of God, praying and movingin accordance with His will.

This is the depth, height, and solemnity of our CALLING as Saintsin the Advancement of His Kingdom on earth.(Matthew 6:10; 1 John 5:14,15)

2 Timothy 1:9

“God saved us and Called us with a holy CALLING….. accordingto His own Purpose and Grace … granted from eternity”.

The Calling of God:

Advancing His Kingdom by

Revealing the Presence, the GLORY, the GOODNESS of God…

at all times and in every situation

(Matthew 4:23, 10:7, 13:11, 16:19, 24:14;

Luke 9:60, 12:32, 21:31)

Jesus laid down His life, doing ONLY what Father said/ what theFather did: (John 5:19,20, 8:28,29, 10:11,15,17,18)

to heal: body, soul, and mind, to teach,

to comfort, to pray,

to serve (by washing feet, etc), to feed,

to cast out demons to resurrect from the dead

All done with One Purpose:

to Reveal the Father in the fullness of His GLORY!

“Jesus loved God with ALL His Being.

His idea of deep pleasure, of ‘Soul JOY’, had nothing whatever todo with recognition or accomplishments or approval from othersor even intimacy with friends.

He found His deepest satisfaction in God. His identity wascentered in His Father.

Therefore He was able to give Himself to others withoutdemanding anything in return, to care with genuine other-centered passion, and to speak what was true without feelingthreatened with the possibility of a negative response.”

Soul Talk by Larry Crabb

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God’s GLORY is manifest in OTHER-Centeredness.

Hebrews 12:2

Jesus….. Who for the JOY set before Him endured thecross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the Right Handof the throne of God.

The JOY of Jesus: Knowing that His actions would PLEASE GOD.

Joy (“Chara”)= Calm delight, be well, thrive

Mankind was created and “crowned with GLORY” and Majesty.(Psalm 8:4-6)

Adam and Eve lost their “GLORY-covering” when they sinned.They realized that they were naked; in shame and fear, they hidfrom God. (Genesis 3:6-10)

Mankind was created and “crowned with GLORY” and Majesty.(Psalm 8:4-6)

Adam and Eve lost their “GLORY-covering” when they sinned.They realized that they were naked; in shame and fear, they hidfrom God. (Genesis 3:6-10)

The GLORY of God on Moses’ face faded as he left God’sPresence. (2 Corinthians 3:4-13)

Through Jesus’ Death and Resurrection, the Believer is now invitedinto the GLORY shared by the Trinity!

John 17:22-23 (TPT) Jesus prays:

For the very GLORY You (God) have given to Me I have given themso that they will be joined together as ONEand experience the same UNITY that We enjoy.

You (God) live fully in Me and now I (Jesus) live fully in themso that they will experience perfect UNITY,and the world will be convinced that You (God) have sent Me,for they will see that You love each one of themwith the same passionate love that You have for Me.

2 Corinthians 3: 18

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirrorthe GLORY of the Lord, are being Transformed into the sameIMAGE from GLORY to GLORY, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Philippians 2:12b 13

….work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is GodWho is at work in you, both to will (desire, passion) andto work (strengthen, empower) for His good pleasure.

God’s GLORY imparts His LIFE:

-by worshipping Him, we find Health and Nourishment

-by serving Him, we find the Purpose for which we were

created.

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God’s GLORY imparts His LIFE:

-by worshipping Him, we find Health and Nourishment

-by serving Him, we find the Purpose for which we were

created.

John 4:34

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him Who sentMe and to accomplish His work.

God’s COMMITMENT to His GLORY GUARANTEES our JOY:

Living in RELATIONSHIP with God (Romans 3:22)

and

Living in HOLINESS, RELATING to others as Jesus relates toothers.

(Matthew 7:12, 22:36-40; 2 Peter 1:1-4)

HOW did our LORD JESUS RELATE to others?

WHAT does that look like in the life of the Believer?

Philippians 2:5-8

Have this ATTITUDE in yourselves which was also in ChristJesus, Who, although He existed in the form of God, did notregard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but EMPTIEDHIMSELF, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made inthe likeness of men.

Being found in appearance as a man, He HUMBLED Himselfby becoming OBEDIENT to the point of death, even death on across.

Philippians 2: 3-4

Do nothing from SELFISHNESS or empty conceit, but withhumility of mind regard one another as MORE IMPORTANTthan yourselves;

do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also{look out} for the interests of others.

God instructs us to take up our Cross and DENY our “SELF”.

“SELF must be utterly Denied and its every claim is to berejected. Jesus came to redeem us… from SELF!”

… One who has Denied himself becomes an EMPTY vessel to beFILLED with all the blessings and power that God desires to pourout.” (Luke 9:23) From Steve Smith, Facebook post

Andrew Murray, “ SELF is our greatest curse”.

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“Self-Denial is NOT intended to be a morbid invitation to PAIN;He meant it as a glorious Invitation to Intimacy with Him….yet we often avoid it because we think the price tag is too high.We haven’t yet understood what we are buying. It is likesomeone offering us a new Mercedes Benz for $20, and we arebemoaning the fact that they are trying to extricate $20 from us.”

“Self-Denial and Intimacy go hand-in-hand.

It awakens the FLOW of LOVE.”

Secrets of the Secret Place by Bob Sorge

As we practice Self-Denial, we are saying:

-I want to KNOW and Encounter Jesus!

-I am committed to learn to hear His Voice, to abandon myselfto every Word that proceeds out of the Mouth of God!

-I desire an accelerated change in my heart and my behavior!

-I desire to accrue eternal treasures!

-I long for the outpouring of His Spirit on the earth.

-I aspire to “press in” with spiritual violence in order to advancethe Kingdom!

“God never sends anyone away EMPTY….

except when we are FULL of SELF.”

Reverend Daniel Kolenda

Mankind is masterfully deceptive (Jeremiah 17:9); in seekingour own Glory, we attempt to FILL the Space, created for God todwell, with other things.

Spiritual Battle= Battle for Competing Desires: God vs. Idols

(Leviticus 19:4)

When the things of this world fail to SATISFY,

we sense that something is terribly WRONG within us;

this typically leads to shame, blame, justification, fear andhiding.

We become COMMITTED to RELIEVING the PAIN

rather than EMBRACing the PAIN in order to wrestle morepassionately with the character and purposes of God.

(Romans 8:28-30)

“We pursue our Happiness at the Expense of Others;

God pursues our Holiness at the Expense of His Son.”

The Unfolding Drama of God by Reverend Kent Denlinger

We attempt to FILL the Space with:

self-protective energy,

self-serving passion,

conditional love,

frowning disapproval,

irritable impatience.

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The Union between Father and Son is such a live concrete thingthat this union, Itself, is a Person. What grows out of the jointlife of the Father and the Son is a real Person; in fact, it is theThird of the three Persons Who are God. (C.S. Lewis)

God is ONE Who pours Himself out Abundantly ….

wherever He finds SPACE.

(St. John of the Cross)

SIN is a HEART issue so deeply rooted in us

that it requires the Spirit’s radical work of

DISRUPTION and DEATH through the expertise of Holy Spirit.

It often takes SUFFERING to LOOSEN our GRIP on the things that

are filling the SPACE reserved for GOD.

With the GRIP released, Christ is INVITED into the situation,effectively REDEEMING and TRANSFORMING.

If we can “STAY HONEST” in the middle of the Battle for ourSoul, the profound Dis-Contentment will indicate that the JOYwe are after is being BLOCKED by a subtle enemy that has longmasqueraded as a Friend: SELF!

Proverbs 14:12, 16:25

There is a way which seems right to a man,

but its end is the way of death.

The Goal = NOT to pursue RELIEF from PAIN or “SATISFACTION.”

The Goal = EMBRACE the PAIN in order to IDENTIFY what is

getting in the way of our DEEPEST SATISFACTION:

LOVING God and LOVING others.

QUESTIONS to ask when in PAIN and/or in a Difficult Situation:

-WHAT is God “up to” in this difficult event?

-WHAT is God EXPOSING in me that is getting in the way of the

GREATEST SATISFACTION, Loving God and Loving others?

-HOW is He TRANSFORMING me into His IMAGE through this?

-HOW is God’s being GLORIFIED in my response?

HONESTLY CONSIDER:

Am I more interested in COMMUNION with God that willeternally SATISFY my Soul….

Or

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HONESTLY CONSIDER:

Am I more interested in COMMUNION with God that willeternally SATISFY my Soul….

Or

Am I more interested in COOPERATION from God that willIMPROVE my LIFE and to find a convenient PLAN that I canfollow that will bring about this IMPROVED LIFE?....

BUT, BELIEVERS are NOT defined by Self-Centeredness.

Only God defines who we are: “Beloved Children of God”!(1 John 3:1)

BELIEVERS are earthly vessels whose CENTER is GOD, Himself,pulsating with the most Powerful Energy of the Universe: LOVE!

As we grow from GLORY to GLORY, this God-given Desire toLOVE God and LOVE Others is “unearthed”.

We speak with POWER into people’s lives, AROUSING andAWAKENING their desire for God…. until their THIRST for Godconsumes them.

Proverbs 10:11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of LIFE

Proverbs 13:14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of LIFE

to turn aside from the snares of death.

GOD’s LIFE

BELIEVER’s OTHERS’ GOD’s GLORY

HEART SOULS MANIFEST

JOY, Satisfaction His Kingdom Come

His GLORY is MANIFESTED on the earth!

His KINGDOM has COME; His WILL has been DONE.

We have become “people of whom the world is not worthy.”

(Hebrews 11:38)

Building God’s Kingdom Through LoveWrap-up

Building the Kingdom through loving God and loving others is oursource of joy and the manifestation of His glory in the earth!

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Advancing God’s Kingdom Through ObedienceDr. Marcia WilburACMin President

Recap: The Purposes of Intimacy with God

• To know God (Ephesians 1:17)

• To become mature in our faith in God (Ephesians 4:11-14)

• To engage in kingdom-advancing obedient actions

Obedience = Fellowship with God in HIS WILL in such a way thatHis presence and power make the act of obeying possible.

Abandonment to God’s Will

God joyfully makes himself vulnerable to the desiresof His people . . . however . . . Our abandonment toHis will precedes God attending to ours!

It’s HIS-story!

Evidence of Salvation

#1- A decision to turn away from personal sin and rebellion.

1 John 3:6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No onewho continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

Romans 6:6 For we know that our old self was crucified withhim so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, thatwe should no longer be slaves to sin—

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

We need to hear God’s voice to be reminded we are NEWIN

CHRIST!

Parents Friends

CareerSuccess

Media

Evidence of Salvation

#2 – Trust in Christ alone for your salvation.

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved,through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift ofGod—

Romans 10:9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, youwill be saved.

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Evidence of Salvation#3 – Surrender to His Lordship for daily living, with and from aneternal, kingdom perspective.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,and all these things will be given to you as well.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time.He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one canfathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to me,‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, butonly the one who does the will of my father inheaven.

God’s Call to Action

James 2:18-24 Show me your faith without deeds, and Iwill show you my faith by my deeds. “Abraham believedGod, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and hewas called God’s friend. You see that a person is consideredrighteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

Finding Faith

“God is made known through His works. When His works flowthrough His children, their identity is revealed, and there is aninescapable revelation of the nature of God in the land. He isirresistible to those who have eyes to see. The walk of faith is tolive according to the revelation we have received, in the midst ofthe mysteries we can’t explain. That’s why Christianity is calledfaith.” --Bill Johnson, Dreaming With God

Luke 18:8 However, when the Son of Man comes, willhe find faith on the earth?”

Surrendered Love

John 15:9-10 As the Father hasloved me, so have I loved you.Now remain in my love. If youkeep my commands, you willremain in my love, just as Ihave kept my father’scommands and remain in Hislove.

Genuine, God-pleasing obediencecan only flow out ofour love relationship

with Jesus.

The Problem: Enemies of Obedience

Enemy of Obedience #1 - SELF

• Ashamed of the past

• Hiding from God

• Rebellious & not surrendered toGod’s voice

• Ruled by desires of the flesh

• Powerless to obey

• Death-bound

• LOVED by God

• Free from sin & death

• Mind set on the Spirit’s desires

• Empowered by the Spirit to obey

• God’s source of life and peace

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Overcoming Self IN Christ• Satan has NO power over Jesus (John

14:30)

• Hebrews 2:14 Since the children haveflesh and blood, he too shared in theirhumanity so that by his death he mightbreak the power of him who holdsthe power of death—that is, the devil—

• As you spend time with God, He willremind you who you are IN Christ so thatyou can act like who you are!

John 3:6 No one wholives in Him keeps onsinning.

Obedience Unto Death

Philippians 2:8 And beingfound in appearance as aman, he humbled himself bybecoming obedient todeath— even death on across!

• Death to self wants

• Death to self will

Enemy of Obedience #2 - FEAR

• Lack of trust in God’slove and goodness

• Unbelief that God willsupply the power toaccomplish what Hehas asked

• Fear that self-desireswill not be met

• Fear of failure

• Fear of man

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfectlove drives out fear, because fear has to do withpunishment. The one who fears is not madeperfect in love.

John 5:20 For the Father loves the Son andshows him all he does.

John 3:35 The Father loves the Son and has placedeverything in his hands.

• You and Jesus are ONE!

Enemy of Obedience #3 - PERFECTIONISM

Rules-Focused

• Obtains favor through labor

• Trusts in self to do one’s best

• Fears the shame of failure

• Motivated by fear ofconsequences

• Fears man’s opinion

• Promises life IF we obey

Relationship-Focused

• Labors from a place of favor

• Knows God’s presence & voice

• Inspires us to take great leaps offaith for God’s glory

• Trusts God to supply HIS power

• Anticipates abundant, kingdomlife

• Ensures freedom in Christ

(Imperfect) Heroes of FaithMoses Murderer, Frustrated with IsraelitesNoah Got drunkAbraham Had a child by HaggarSarah Laughed at her prophetic wordKing David Committed adultery & murderApostle Paul Authorized the murder of Christians

Obedience by God’s Power

What the lawdemands from us,grace promises andperforms for us. –Andrew Murray

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A Life of TRUST is a Life of POWER

• Obedience must be grounded in the confidence that Romans8:28 is true.

Believe, and let every undertaking to obey God be in the joyoushope that comes from faith in Christ’s abundance of grace, in themighty indwelling of the Holy Spirit, in the blessed love of Jesus,whose abiding presence makes obedience possible and certain.

–Andrew Murray, The Blessings of Obedience

Testimony: Obedience to GodMr. Greg Thomas

ACMin Graduate Student

God’s Strategies

The view fromMount Zion

We getGod’sstrategiesforusheringin HisKingdomwhen wewalk inintimacywithHim!

Wisdom & Power

• Both wisdom and power are available to us that we mightprovide solutions from God’s kingdom that meet the world’sneeds.

• When we live conscious of heaven and eternity, it changes theway we live and impact our culture.

• It is our hour to shine for His glory!

Colossians 3:2-3 Set your mind on the things above, not on thethings that are on earth. For you have died and your life ishidden in Christ.

Intimacy Reveals God’s Agenda1 Corinthians 2:16 We have the mind of Christ.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but betransformed by the renewing of your mind. They you will be able to testand approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Colossians 1:9 We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge ofhis will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who givesgenerously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Isaiah 55:9 As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my wayshigher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

Fertile GroundThe willingness to obey attracts revelation, because God is theultimate steward, investing His treasures into fertile ground—thesurrendered heart. --Bill Johnson, Dreaming With God

• Meditate on God’s Word

• Cultivate your personal lovelanguage with God

• Exercise your “mind of Christ”

• Repent as God reveals

• Ask for God’s strength

• Walk in obedient faith

• Ask for instruction by night

• Ask for dreams and visions

• Ask for an understanding,discerning heart

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Releasing God’s Kingdom

Matthew 10:8 Freely you have received;freely give.

• We can only give away the kingdom toothers in the measure that we abide(stay remain) in relationship with theKING.

• Our relationship with Our Faithful Godis the bedrock of our faith!

• FAITH qualifies us for the impossible!

John 15:8 This is to my Father’s glory,that you bear much fruit, showingyourselves to be my disciples.

Set Apart for HolinessExodus 19:5-6 & 8 Now if you obey me fully and keep mycovenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasuredpossession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for mea kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words youare to speak to the Israelites.” …..All that the LORD has spokenwe will do.

We have been set apart for

His plans, His purposes,

and His glory.

Communion – Made Holy by His Blood

James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Washyour hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Isaiah 52:11 Purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of theLORD.

1 John 1:7 The blood of Christ cleanses us from ALL sin. (1 John1:7)

Communion – Strengthened by His Body

• Jesus is the “living bread.” (John 6:51&53)

• Meat from the Passover lamb gives strength for the journeyahead. (Exodus 12:8-11)

His voice tells us how to think, act, speak, and PRAY!

LIFE

What do YOU thinkabout this?

What do you want me toKNOW about this?

What would YOU like my response to be?

(thought, word, deed, and prayer)

Words: The Substance of Creating Kingdom

“Nothing happens in the kingdom until something is said .”

--Bishop Joseph Garlington

• Use your WORDS (prayers and decrees) to call forth kingdomlife

• Give away what God gives you (blessings, propheticencouragement, strengthening, comfort, etc.)

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Out of Intimacy You CanOnly SAY as the Father Says

John 8:28 I do nothing on myown but speak just what theFather has taught me.

1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks,they should do so as one whospeaks the very words of God.

A Vos SouhaitsRev. Dr. Kurt Genteman

Chair, ACMin Undergraduate Program

Power of Words

Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the world wascreated by the word of God, so that what is seen was made outof things which do not appear.

Matthew 12:36-37 I tell you, on the day of judgment men willrender account for every careless word they utter; for by yourwords you will be justified, and by your words you will becondemned.

Power of Words

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,and those who love it will eat its fruit

• Death – Bullying

Sticks and stones may break my bonesbut……..

Joshua TrumpThe bullying is taking a toll on Joshua, his mother told

WPVI.“He said he hates himself, and he hates his last name, and

he feels sad all the time, and he doesn't want to live feeling likethat anymore, and as a parent that's scary,” she said.

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Power of Words (cont)


1 Peter 3:9-10 Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but,on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you werecalled-that you might inherit a blessing.

Power of Words (cont.)


• Life – Encouragement, Blessing

LeBron James

“Good job. I'm proud of you,” he concludes.James’ assessment looks like it had a positive impact —you can see Bryce smile after his dad recounts his threebig plays.

What About the Blessing?

God blessed:

Adam and Eve with “Be fruitful and increase innumber.” (Gen 1:22,28)

Jesus blessed:

Mark 10:16 And He took them up in his arms,laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

What About the Blessing

Blessing God

James 3:9 With it (the tongue) we bless the Lord and the Father.

Deuteronomy 8:10 You shall eat your fill and bless the Lord yourGod.

What About the Blessing

Blessing others

Paul ends his letters with a blessing:

Ephesians 6:23-24 Peace be to the whole community and lovewith faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Gracebe with all who have an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Our Marching Orders

Roots in the Old Testament when God set apart the tribe of Levi aspriests and to “bless in His name until this day.” (Deuteronomy 10:8)

1 Peter 2:9 But you are achosen race, a royalpriesthood. a holy nation,God’s own people.

Our Marching Orders

Colossians 4:6 Let your conversations be always full of grace.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Encourage one another and build eachother up.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, butonly what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that yourwords may give grace to those who hear.

Our Warning

James 3:10-12 From the same mouth comeblessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters,this ought not to be. Does a spring pour forthfrom the same opening both fresh andbrackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothersand sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs?No more can salt water yield fresh.

Ready, Fire, Aim

Ready, Fire, Aim

Hear from God

• Intentionality

• God loves us and wants to communicate with us (John 10:27).

• Our motivation for blessing is a direct result of His love ( 1 John4:11)

Ready, Fire, Aim

Risk

Luke 22:50-51 Then one of themstruck the slave of the high priestand cut off his right ear. … And hetouched his ear and healed him.

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, maintainconstant love for one another, forlove covers a multitude of sins.

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Ready, Fire, Aim

Tips

• Be yourself

• Ask God - LISTEN

• Use appropriate touch – hold hands, hand on shoulder – ASK

• Look in eyes.

• Bless with positive and encouraging words.

The Blessing

Numbers 6:24-26 May Yahweh bless you and keep you; MayYahweh make His face to shine upon you; May Yahweh lift up Hiscountenance upon you and give you His Shalom.

A Vos SouhaitsWrap-Up

We have the power and authority to bless others!

Just do it!

Concluding Thoughts

1. Make time and intimacy with God your personal, high priorityin 2019.

2. Stay grounded in God’s Word.

3. Practice applying what you have learned today.

Concluding Thoughts

1. Make time and intimacy with God your personal, high priority in2019.

2. Stay grounded in God’s Word.

3. Practice applying what you have learned today.

4. Be ready and willing to obey as God directs!

5. Build His Kingdom with your prayers and your words.

6. Be patient with and encourage others who weren’t here.

7. Let us know how we can help!

Discover God’s Heart With All of YOURS!

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek mewith all your heart.

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Documents

Intimacy with God through Prayer - ACMin NY-NH Presentation.pdfthings of God….No one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.What we have received is not the spirit of