Intimacy with God is of Crucial Importance
Without the loving relationship with Almighty God that is availed to us by Christ Jesus, we have no way of knowing the mind of Christ or the ways of God that are far above our thoughts and our ways.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:9
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God’s Timing
Since God is the only one who knows all the details of everything and how they interact, He is obviously the one who can accurately determine the timing for His plans to be carried out. He is the one who works all things together for good.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Are we among those called according to His purpose?
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God’s Idea
God is a loving Father with plans for our good, that will serve His purposes, and are good for the Kingdom of God. He lovingly shares His ideas with us and invites us to co-labor with Him.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jeremiah 29:11 KJV
His thoughts are for our peace and for a good outcome for us. This is a great blessing for us.
3
God’s Will
When we clearly hear the will of God, we can move in great faith knowing that what we do is pleasing to God and that He is wholly in the fight with us. He is our armor and our provider.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:6
Do we believe He is, and that He is a rewarder? This is all about God and His plans for His creation. We must operate in great faith as He invites us to work out His will in the earth.
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God’s Promise
God is a good father that cannot lie and He will not fail to see His promises through to completion. His track record gives us confidence for the future, for He is a keeper of His word.
And the Lord your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the Lord your God hath promised unto you.
Joshua 23:5
We need to keep track of, and hold onto, the promises of God to us. This includes words to us as well as those in Scripture. We also need to be aware that most promises are conditional and be sure to perform the required action, by faith, that is attached to the promise. Almighty God is faithful and we need to be faithful as well.
Fire-Pit Worship
Worship is the means of establishing a deeper relationship with God. Having an attitude of thanksgiving enhances worship and strengthens the means of communication. Learning to properly worship is a big step in building an intimate relationship that opens all sorts of doors in a walk with God. Seeking God and waiting on Him is a practice in persistence and perseverance that has a big payoff in the depth of the relationship being established. For our group, and for me, worship is the foundation of all we do. Worship was the first thing we did as a group, and it remains the central activity today. Worship truly prepares the way. Send the worshipers first.
And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Chronicles 20:21 KJV
The lights are dimmed, and the music is turned up rather loud. The music is usually recorded and played on a sound system, though occasionally there is a live worship leader. The time of worship fosters a one on one relationship between each worshiper and Almighty God. We gather as a group, but the experience is very personal.
Count the cost … Take the hard way through the narrow gate … Do not love anything of the world, rather, do the will of God … Remember that salvation is the gift of God, not earned … Old things are passed away, the new has come … Distraction will kill, stay focused … The enemy will use the past, keep looking forward … The full armor of God … Bridle the tongue … Though not seen, by faith in the unseen realm … Work from love and extreme faithfulness … Now in preparation … Lay low, stealthy.
Communion
With God and the Sacrament
One level of worship is communion, or a personal relationship, with God. This is a personal encounter that builds the relationship between a believer and God. The sacrament of communion is similar in that it brings us to a remembrance of what Christ did for us. I believe that for many, unfortunately, the practice of communion has become a religious ritual and it isn’t given much more thought. We should explore the depth of communion.
Sanctification
What is sanctification? It is the action of making something holy, or a process of being freed from sin or purified.
People
People are sanctified through the continued work of the cross of Christ, requiring our confession and repentance. This is the process of becoming more like Christ. We are justified at the point of our conversion; covered in the righteousness of Christ. We continue in the process of sanctification until the day of glory. This is the process of God working out actual righteousness in our lives. Throughout scripture we are called to sanctify or purify ourselves. We are called to put to death the things of the earthly nature. We need to sanctify our intellect, emotions, will, and spirit.
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Colossians 3:5 KJV
We are brought into the family of God. Jesus came to do the will of God; to make one offering for the remission of our sins. It is through Jesus doing the will of God that we were bought back, and brought back, into a proper relationship with God if we believe.
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Hebrews 10:10 KJV
Places and Things
Places or things are sanctified through an action taken. One way this can be accomplished is through consistent prayer and worship. Cleansing and anointing can also be a way to sanctify something. It is to set something or someplace apart for a special purpose, as a vessel made holy. This may more commonly be referred to as a consecration. Consecration, at its root, means dedicated, devoted, and sacred. Its opposite would be to desecrate, to deprive something of its sacred character.
The City Altar is consecrated and sanctified. It is a place with the specific purpose of going before God on behalf of the city. It is protected as such by not being used for any purpose other than prayer, praise and worship, or gathering in the name of God to seek out and to accomplish His will. It is a place that is anointed for such activity, as those dedicated to the Lord and the city devote themselves to the sanctification of the place; the setting apart of the place to be solely used for the Kingdom of God.
Me and the Lord
Throughout the site are stories of my walk with the Lord and the corresponding timing of carrying out His plan for me and for City.
Support & Strength
- Authority of Christ
- Power and leading of Holy Spirit
- Support of Brothers and Sisters in the Lord.
Obedience in Love
The theme of my life.
Names Changed
Throughout this site you will see that the names are changed and highlighted in order to keep the site, the city and the ministry anonymous. The site is designed to glorify God alone as the information is available to all who can glean a nugget to use in their ministry efforts. The Ministry for our ministry name, City for our city name, and various names being used for persons who may be identified in a story, such as Wallace or Beulah. My prayer is that the Lord will keep your focus on what He is trying to show you.