August 29

Written by Bill Grandi on August 29th, 2022

The last few devotions have been dealing with intimacy. It started with the August 23 devotion; then moved to August 24; and ended last week with the August 25th devotion. Intimacy requires honesty.

To quote Ed’s character from The Trail:

I believe that 90% of knowing God’s will is staying within the circle of intimacy by genuinely opening our lives up to His examining Spirit. (p.53)

God’s Word reveals God’s will for every believer. I think that is where many followers of Christ go astray.  We rely on other things-outside influences, our feelings, what others say-to decide. It’s almost like a cause and effect” “this then that.”

But let’s take a different approach. Let’s start with God’s Word and our circle of intimacy RATHER THAN every other place. I am convinced (and I admittedly struggle with this myself) that if my intimacy with God is on cue, and I am searching His Word, and I am truly seeking to honor Him in my choice, then I will not be steered wrongly.  That is different than the panic button I pushed in 1982. But even then, God did not abandon me. He used that “panic button” choice as a growing and learning experience. It wasn’t a selfish “I want to make more money” decision. Just the opposite…I took less.

But God’s Word was still true. Poor decision or not. My relationship with God actually grew more intimate with Him through that period of upheaval in my life and family.

So Principle #3 is established. Check out tomorrow’s devotion for that principle and a numbered statement (with a recap of numbers 1 and 2). Until then…stay intimate. Stay close. Read His Word.

 

6 Comments so far ↓

  1. Diane Ronzino says:

    This post is a confirmation of what The LORD has been saying to me. Hallelujah. Thank You, LORD, for what you are telling me. Intimacy is number 1. Thank You for Your patience with me!

    • Bill Grandi says:

      Most definitely agree on the intimacy factor Diane and His patience. Glad God could use me to confirm His will for you.

  2. Ryan S. says:

    I think this can be said about any relationship. Having a intimate relationship (and I am not meaning sexually) provides a much deeper insight into the thoughts and desires of the person, or in this case God’s own will.
    A casual relationship typically only scratches the surface. One cannot fully KNOW the heart, mind, and will of someone that you are only casually hanging out with. You might see the evidence of heart, mind, and will. You might see the symptoms of brokenness and pain, or joy and happiness… but you probably are not seeing why, the motivation, the heart.
    Interestingly, the knowing almost becomes seconds nature when the relationship is there. I think that is what God wants from me, a relationship so intimate, that I just KNOW that I KNOW what His will is for me.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      You make a great point Ryan. Not just about the importance of the intimate relationship but also what it brings, especially with your last line.

  3. When we are totally invested in Him, God will never steer us wrong.
    Blessings, Bill!