I recently had the opportunity to share a series of devotions on the Christian Businessmen’s Connection PrayerNet call. I encourage you to check out PrayerNet each weekday morning, at 6:30. The conference call number is (518) 318-7962.
For four days we explored the relationship between finding the center of God’s will – for protection and maximized impact in the storms, chaos, and crises which are heading our way – and participating with God in the restoration of His reign, intimacy, habitation, and glory with and within His children.
This article explores the restoration of God’s intimacy with His children. Here are links to previous articles in the series:
Our Propositions
First, the storms, chaos, and crises we are facing in this season make it more important than ever to find and dwell in the center of God’s will.
Second, God has given us a sure way to find the center of His will: by giving ourselves to the work of restoring His reign, intimacy, habitation, and the glory He desires to have with and through his sons and daughters.
Third, the storms, chaos, and crises provide opportunities for participation in God’s restorative work, and in the advancement of His Kingdom, to those who are willing, prepared, and courageous.
The storms, chaos, and crises of this decade may well be the shaking God will use to remove what does not belong in our lives (Hebrews 12:25-27).
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28-29
The kingdom of God has come, and it is coming. Those firmly established in God’s kingdom will not be shaken down or torn apart. Like the house built on a strong foundation, they will stand in the storms to serve as refuge, encouragement, and wisdom for those shaken and stormed out of houses built on false religion and secular coping mechanisms.
Intimacy and Habitation
In our article on God’s reign, you may have noticed that an individual must surrender before they can become a blessing, through delegated authority, to others. There is a type of progression, a dependency on one for the other. Intimacy and habitation are similar. Personal intimacy with God catalyzes the true biblical community God desires to inhabit.
Conversely, intimacy with Jesus cannot be fully enjoyed outside of community, for the fullness of Christ is a body, made up of different parts; and we are not only members of His body, but of one another (Romans 12:5).
Consequently, both intimacy and habitation have to be aggressively fought for. Our fellowship with God and others is the primary focus of Satan’s attacks against us. His success in cutting us off from God and one another is the primary reason the church in America is in such a mess.
If we care about God getting back what He lost in our rebellion, we must become strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. We must put on our armor and aggressively resist the Devil. If we fail to do so, the storms, chaos, and crises which are coming will fuel and accelerate the devastation of our fellowships, and God’s habitation there.
Let me be clear: as with intimacy, procrastination and passivity will not win the day. Those of us who enjoy strong community with other believers owe it to God, if only for the blessing he has provided, to leverage our position of strength to disciple others in intimacy with one another.
Driving a Decision
Building real, biblical community is difficult. Relationships are invariably messy, even between like-minded Christian folk. If it were not true, we would not be so divided (e.g., 30,000+ registered denominations in America). Worldly prosperity makes us less dependent on one another, and the pursuit of individual rights – another strategy of the world – drives us apart. To make matters worse, our carnal mind has convinced us that hiding behind avatars is safer than transparency; at least that’s what we’ve determined to believe.
But our loving, heavenly Father knows better.
Our Good King knows better.
And our Spirit counselor knows better.
The truth is: Every serious and thoughtful Christian knows better; we need each other. There are no lone rangers in the kingdom of God. Indeed, and I believe this with all of my heart, if we do not have strong community to support our families, the coming storms, chaos, and crises will overwhelm us and those we love.
God allows and creates storms, chaos, and crises to force His people to question the isolation and division we have allowed and created, to make biblical community more attractive, and to drive us to a fork-in-the-road decision:
Will we continue to settle for, and drift further into, conformity with the world’s isolationism and divisiveness; or will we repent, gather with those whom God brings near, and begin participating in Christ’s church building project?
Overstating the importance of our wrestling with this question is impossible. All of creation is waiting, even groaning, for our surrender and submission to the will of God for the restoration of His habitation (Romans 8:18-22). We have taught the following at least a hundred times, and may teach it a hundred more:
And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 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 17:22-23
Jesus has been praying for His Father to make us one like They are one, for over 2000 years. He gave us the glory given to Him for this very purpose; the Bridegroom desperately desires His bride! Furthermore, in our unity, the world will know the Gospel.
Don’t miss this: The long-awaited return of our Good King will not occur until the bride has made herself ready and the world has heard the Gospel. Keep that in mind the next time you face the perceived and real challenges of fellowship. The sacrifice, long-suffering, trials, and tribulations are more worth it than any of us can imagine.
The time has come for all serious Christians to make their decision! Houses who stand together will stand stronger, and they will stand out more visibly to the poor souls who have lost theirs. Will your house and the houses around you still be standing when the storms have passed (Matthew 7:24-27)? Will you and your fellowships become God’s habitation of refuge, encouragement, and wisdom?
Course of Action
Not everyone will need to complete each of the following steps, but we strongly warn against presumption. Use this as a guide for conversation with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Very few things interest them more; the storms, chaos, and crises are designed to bring each of us to this consideration.
- Forgive the individuals and fellowships who may have harmed you.
- Grieve the loss of community and friendship.
- Repent – think differently – about Christian fellowship.
- Confess anything the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
- Fast and pray for God’s direction: Who has He set aside for your platoon?
- Remember, biblical fellowship is built, not found.
- Let the peace of God reign in your heart.
- Invite others to join you in the adventure.
If you happen to be blessed with a strong Christian fellowship, go deeper; and prepare yourselves for the return of God’s lost and wandering children. Be particularly aware of the next generation of leaders; they will likely be prodigals, and you will have to invite them in, purposefully and personally. Do not miss the opportunities God provides for making disciples to His habitation.
Please let me know if you need more encouragement, teaching, or equipping in this. There are several resources I can recommend and as much encouragement as you can stand. God bless you with time and attention for intimacy with God and his people. Amen.
Affirmation
The Father loves talking with His children – in private and in groups. Where two or more gather in His name, Jesus shows up. The Holy Spirit brings the fruit and provides gifts for the Body of Christ. We have the privilege and responsibility to participate in the building of Jesus’ church, bride, and holy city.
God bless you with courage and wisdom for His restorative work in the storms, chaos, and crises which are heading our way.
Have a strong day in the Lord,
Rob
#iamjustthepen