Intimacy With God in the Secret PlaceSample

Hindrances

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
John 10:10

Who or what are the biggest hindrances to our time alone with God? Yes, most certainly our adversary, the devil, and we’ll look at that in a moment, but usually, we are the biggest hindrance.

I don’t know about you, but I know my stuff. I thought I wasn’t good enough or cleaned up enough to approach my Father. I was happy to bring my list of needs, but I didn’t genuinely believe He wanted me just for me, hang-ups and all.

Yet, He bids us to come to Him because we don’t have our act together and never will in our own strength. We see our failings; He sees our potential. We see our weaknesses; He sees what the Holy Spirit’s power can unleash in our lives. We see our sin; He views His shed blood that cleanses it all. We may be afraid that when we finally come, He might not show up. But His Word promises He is already there waiting for us.

From personal experience and viewing hundreds of lives transformed from their purposefully scheduled times alone in God’s presence, there is no more powerful encounter. Those of us who once struggled with anxiety, shame, insecurities, varied addictions, or any unhealthy behavior have found all the aid, direction, grace, and help we need to overcome life’s hurts and hang-ups Hebrews 4:16.

Because this is true, our adversary, the devil, will use distractions, worries, temptations, and overcrowded schedules to keep us from His presence. We will have to be intentional with our calendars about these times with Jesus and then keep our date with Him.

You will notice that once you set this time, the kids will have an unexpected baseball practice, the dog will bite the mailperson, and your phone won’t stop vibrating. Hell knows what the power of simply sitting in Jesus’ presence can do for a person. As we read in the gospels, everywhere Jesus went, there was healing, deliverance, and salvation. The enemy doesn’t want all that goodness to come your way. So, dig in, reschedule if you must, but accept God’s invitation into abundant living.

What verse, phrase, or sentence spoke to you from today’s teaching and why?