FROM CONTROL TO INTIMACY: INTIMACY
Monday, August 6, 2018
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org
Today's Scripture
"Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."
Thoughts for Today
Intimacy with God goes beyond our ability to deal with pain of the past. It comes by focusing on Christ. We cannot experience intimacy with God if the Son is excluded.
As we draw near to God, we must allow the Holy Spirit to work the qualities of understanding, empathy, trust, perseverance, honest, integrity, and consideration of others into our lives. Then we will get our eyes off ourselves and more fully trust God and enter into intimate fellowship with him.
As we trust God, we can trust ourselves. As we trust ourselves and are honest about our shortcomings and areas of weakness, we can trust others as far as they can be trusted. We will learn to overcome feelings of betrayal and control when others do not live up to our expectations. We will allow others to be who they are at the moment and pray for their growth in Christ.
We will accept our fallibility as well. We will see the extent to which we all fall short of the glory of God. As we enjoy intimacy with God, he will make it possible for us to share intimacy with others without being destroyed by it.
Consider this …
Are you ready to give God full control of your life? To develop an intimacy with him that will free you to develop intimate relationships with those you care about? Jesus loves you and is trustworthy. Take a step toward a closer relationship today by sharing your heart with him. Talk to him. And then listen . . .
Come close to God, and God will come close to you.
James 4:8 NLT
Prayer
Father, I've been trying to control everything far too long. And it hasn't worked out very well. Forgive me for not trusting you. Please take control of my life. Guide me and help me become all you designed me to be. Help me to be free of the past, free to develop an intimate relationship with you, free to take down the walls I've built between myself and others.
In Jesus' name . . .
These thoughts were drawn from …Restoring Families: Overcoming Abusive Relationships through Christ by Janet M. Lerner, D.S.W. This study helps to minister to families caught in the cycle of abusive relationships. The curriculum deals with overcoming these abusive relationships through Christ and is recommended for use in support groups and Christian counseling.
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Ministers to families from abusive relationships
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Ministers to victims of family violence
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Deals with wounded emotions
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Deals with control and intimacy issues
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Presents a strong message of Christ as healer of abusive relationships
Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
©Living Free 2018. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to info@LivingFree.org
PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770
©Living Free 2018. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to info@LivingFree.org