Principles to Live By: Spiritual Intimacy, Pt. 3

God loves us, created us, and desires to have a personal
and intimate relationship with every human being!

Principles to Live By: Spiritual Intimacy, Pt. 3

"Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.'"

(Matthew 22:37-38)

This week we are focusing on the first of 30 life principles taught by the late Charles Stanley. He served as the pastor of FBC Atlanta for over 50 years. All his teachings can be heard and seen at intouch.org. His first message entitled, "Life Principle 1: Our Intimacy with God", can be watched here.

One of Stanley's primary biblical texts in this message was Psalm 63, where David writes:

"O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.
Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
My soul follows close behind You;
Your right hand upholds me."

This psalm was written by one who knew God and had a close, intimate relationship with Him.

The greatest priority of our lives and the number one principle by which to live a blessed life is to know God. It is not to simply know about Him but to know Him and have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ.

In Genesis 1:27, the Word of God teaches us that God created mankind in His image: "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." God loves us, created us, and desires to have a personal and intimate relationship with every human being! We have a spirit, and we can relate to God and know Him. That cannot be said of animals, rocks, trees, or any inanimate object. Only humanity can know God and be in relationship with Him. What is so neat is that God desires this for every human being ever born.

How is your relationship with the Lord? I agree with Dr. Stanley and am grateful to God for his teachings on this most vital subject. I have learned much from him and am grateful that I can share this teaching with you. Why? I want you to have a vibrant relationship with God who created you. Knowing Jesus and walking with Him every day is the key to a blessed life both in this life and life eternal!