Today, again, we continue the series “A Quest for Intimacy.” -3

 Philippians 3:10 AMP [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him—that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding [the wonders of His person] more strongly and more clearly. And that I may in the same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [the power it exerts over believers]; and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death. Let’s look at two more essential decisions, each related to a discipline (we are disciples), that will help us develop an in-depth intimacy with Christ and Holy Spirit. 

1. Cultivating Serenity: The Discipline of Solitude. Please do not miss the value of the discipline of solitude where we cultivate serenity. Serenity – the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled. Solitude has been called the “furnace of transformation.” Swindoll – “In solitude, struggles occur that no one else knows about. Inner battles are fought here that seldom become fodder for sermons or illustrations for books. God, Who probes our deepest thoughts during protracted segments of solitude, opens our eyes to things that need attention. It is here He makes us aware of those things we try to hide from others.” Henri Nouwen describes solitude as a place to get rid of scaffolding that holds us up: no friends to talk to, no telephones, on meetings, not even music, no books except the Bible. Just us, naked, vulnerable, weak, sinful, deprived, broken, nothing. It is in this nothingness that I have to face my solitude. So much nothingness that all I want to do is run my friends, work, my phone. It hurts. Psalm 139:23 -24 (NKJV) “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. 

2. Trusting the Lord Completely: The Discipline of Surrender. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Though it has been used and re-used the fact remains that God is inviting us in all of our ways, in everything we are doing or hoping to do, that we should trust Him with all of hearts. Easy to say but hard to do. If we have a determined purpose, like Paul, to become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Jesus, we cannot do our own thing or try to work out the details of our own lives. We must trust Him fully.