“TO FIND A MORE INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD” — PART 1

Joshua Apostolic Prophetic Network

Home Central

“TO FIND A MORE INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD”

Part 1

~ L. D. Oxford

Joshua-ap.net/

Dear Father, my prayer today is that everyone who reads and follows this prayer, will gain a hunger and thirst to seek after you, so that they may become intimate with you in the way that you desire through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

For it is out of that intimacy and Love for you that your people will find the ultimate destinies that you have for their lives. Because you first loved us, we can also love you in the most awesome way. And out of that intimacy, all true ministry will flow so that what you desire to do on this earth will be accomplished in the endtime harvest.

Also, I speak Restoration and Healing over every hurting person here, seeking after more of you. Also, speaking the blessing of the Lord over every forum and person on the e-lists and websites, and for the entire Body of believers who would cross our paths.

I thankyou Lord that your anointing is always here to meet the needs of every person…. and it’s all because of your wonderful Love. In the name of Jesus Christ! So be it always!  – L.D. Oxford

***

“EACH ONE OF GOD’S PEOPLE ARE CALLED BY HIM, TO SEEK HIS FACE”

David said in the Psalms: “When you said, ‘seek My face,’ My heart said to you, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek.'” ~ Psalms 27:8

“WE RECEIVE THE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF GOD’S GLORY THROUGH BEHOLDING THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST.”SEE 2 COR. 4:6

“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

“HOW SHOULD WE SEEK HIS FACE?”I WILL LIST A FEW WAYS TO GET STARTED BELOW:

Give God the time in your life that He so rightly deserves. Spend time with Him in your devotional life and in prayer. Get alone with Him. Make Him an important priority in your life. Spend enough time with Him, so that it will become a life-style for you.

Wait upon Him until His presence flows in you, and you have that divine release of His power to refresh your life. Love, worship and adore him during those times with Him. Talk to Him, and also take the time to listen. Study the Word of God until it becomes alive in you, and a part of you. It will renew your mind and refresh your spirit man.

REMEMBER: ISAIAH 40:31:

But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faith.

Also, Psalms 37:7, 9 says,

“For evil doers shall be cut off, But those who wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.”

Martin Luther was known for his devotion to God and for spending much time with the Lord on a daily basis. Once he said, and I quote: “I had so much to do today, that I had to wake up three hours earlier to pray.”

That is something that the Lord taught me since a early age, and I had not always been consistant with it, but It grew on me over the years, and now it has become a life-style for myself, as well. Don’t ever get so busy, that you don’t have any time left for God.

There are even, ministers out there who are so locked into ministry, that God has been pushed out of the picture, and then, ministry can become focused too much on things,  instead of the Lord Himself.

Most people try to fit God into their schedules, when they need to fit more into His schedule. When everything else becomes more important than God, then we can miss the whole reason for why we are living. Our living should be for Him, and not to just give Him a small piece of our lives. He wants all of it.

Cast all of your cares upon Him, and He will sustain your life and keep you on a strong foundation, when you choose to trust Him with your lives.

SEE PSALMS 55:22 –

Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.         

Also, Philippians 4:6,7 –

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

“CHRIST’S INVITATION TO BRING ALL OF YOUR HEAVY BURDENS TO HIM” FOUND IN MATTHEW 11:28-30 –

“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Sometimes, it can be difficult and there are distractions to getting into that place of prayer. And sometimes it can be hard to concentrate, when our minds are filled with so much that may be going on in our lives. And the Lord does understand what we all go through.

But, we should not allow those distractions and upheavals to keep us from spending time with the Lord, and should work on dealing with the distractions and allowing God to take the first places in our lives.

When we do this, then He will bring the proper balance in our lives, and we will find more of our security in Him when this is done. He does not want any of us to put our security in the world, or in the ways of the world, or in things. Because all of those things are temporary in this life.

He wants us to put our security in Him and to store up those eternal things in our lives that will never pass away. God is eternal, His Word is eternal and our lives are eternal with Him, when we are anchored in Him.

Therefore, we have a bright future ahead with the Lord. That is something that the world system, people influence, or the devil cannot do for any of us.

If you do not have a good, photographic memory, then it is a good and helpful thing, to write a journal of your day to day life with the Lord. And it is also good to write down your prayer needs and the other things that concern your life. Then, keep it nearby, when you go before the Lord.

And when you go to Him in prayer, remember that you are not just going to God to give Him your list of things that you need Him to do for you. But you are going to come into His presence firstly, because you love Him, adore Him, and desire to worship Him from the heart.

Yet, the Lord still wants your prayer list too, because He cares about your needs. But when we seek Him first, love Him first, worship Him first, then you will begin to see, that the Lord will step in and begin to answer your prayers, more and more. Thats not to say that we won’t still go through tough times, tribulations, or sometimes losses, which we all do.

But, it does mean that the outcome is in God’s hands entirely, and He is the fulfiller of all things, which includes the things that He knows that we have need of. When we do the possible things that we know we should do, then, God steps in and will do the impossible. He has proven Himself many times over, throughout my entire life, so i know this to be true for a fact.

REMEMBER THIS:

Matthew 6: 33, But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Also, Romans 14:17– For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteous, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Jesus said in Luke 17:21, Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! For behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.

The Lord compels all of His people who are called by His name, to seek after Him, to seek His face, to seek after His righteousness, to dwell in His presence, with the Kingdom of God, which is in you. So, He establishes His Kingdom in our hearts.

And, the Apostle Paul said, that the Kingdom of God was righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. So this is where we need to be with Him. Are you experiencing this in your life right now? If not, then it is time to make some changes.

LEARN TO PRAY THE WORD:

(After you spend quality time just loving the Lord, worshipping and adoring Him, and talking to Him)

“JUST TAKE SOME SCRIPTURES, PRAYERS AND PROMISES FROM THE WORD. AND PUT YOUR OWN NAME IN THEM, AND MAKE THEM A PART OF YOUR PRAYERS TO GOD.”

Take a few scriptures during your devotional time with the Lord, and then direct those scriptures as a prayer back to God. It is very simple to do. Then, just pray whatever prayer that arises out of your heart. And it works.

Then, always take the time to get quiet before the Lord also, and to listen for His voice. If you will get into the cycle of doing this, you will not only grow in the Word and prayer,  but your life will be transformed when the Word becomes alive in you. And as you spend more and more time with the Lord, then you will grow more and more intimate with Him.

As posted on:

Joshua AP Network E-list

Subscribe today!

“TO FIND A MORE INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD” — PART 2

Joshua Apostolic Prophetic Network

Home Central

“TO FIND A MORE INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD”

Part 2

~ L.D. Oxford

Joshua-ap.net/

OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER THAT CAN BLOCK YOUR PRAYER LIFE:

(This is not a complete list, but involves major areas of strongholds, where repentance may be needed. I listed mainly, the ones that are critical issues when dealing with alot of people, who have come for help and ministry over the years.)

Please, go through the list and address each of these areas honestly, just between you and God. In some cases, it may involve other people, so, you may need to go to some people to make things right before God.

Use this list of categories to go through in repentance, confessing your sins to God, and for anyone else involved also. Repentance will bring breakthrough in your lives and will free you up to become the people, that the Lord has destined for you to be.

*LIVE YOUR LIFE BY THE PRINCIPLES GIVEN IN THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD –THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD. THIS IS WALKING IN TRUTH AND WISDOM.

“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

~ Matthew 4:4

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”- Romans 15:4

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which in in Christ Jesus. 16, All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” – 2 Timothy 3:15 -16

***

REPENT AND RENOUNCE ALL INVOLVEMENT AND TRAPPINGS OF THE OCCULT, Witchcraft, Channeling, Spiritualism, Divination, Graven Images, Idol statues, New Age materials, music etc. — Get rid of all of those types of Books, Tapes, and Cd’s, out of your homes, destroy them, and burn them.

Study the scripture references below:

Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all [men]: and they counted the price of them, and found [it] fifty thousand [pieces] of silver. – Acts 19:19

Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I [am] the LORD your God. – Lev 19:31

And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, [Is it] peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts [are so] many? – 2Ki 9:22

Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. – Rev 2:20

Moreover the [workers with] familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD. – 2Ki 23:24

For rebellion [is as] the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness [is as] iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from [being] king. – 1 Sa 15:23

And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? – Isa 8:19

EXAMPLES OF CURIOUS ARTS:

Magic, Black Arts, Witchcraft, Witch doctors, Shamanism, Wizardry, Necromancy, Divination, Tarot Cards, Conjuring up spirits, Rituals & Spells, all Occult related music, New Age related, use of Charms and Amulets, etc.

So, this would include anything that is Occult oriented and related to different types of Idolatry. These days, there are many other branches and avenues of the occult, and new age practices that would fit into this category, as well. Also, Harry Potter Books, etc.

CURIOUS ARTS DEFINITION:

Occult related, mysticism, magical arts; jugglery practised by the Ephesian conjurers. Ephesus was noted for its wizard and the “Ephesian spells;” i.e., charms or scraps of parchment written over with certain formula, which were worn as a safeguard against all manner of evils.

The more important and powerful of these charms were written out in books which circulated among the exorcists, and were sold at a great price.

***

“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.” – 1 John 1:6

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

– 3  John 1:4

***

LET YOUR LOVE TOWARDS OTHERS BECOME A MEASURING STICK OF YOUR LOVE TOWARDS GOD

“This will make you more mindful and alert, on how you treat others. Because, what you do towards people, is what you are actually doing towards the Lord.”

Ye, have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. 44, But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.

45, That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46, For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? – Matthew 5:44-46

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. – Matthew 25: 35-46

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for another.” – John 13:34,35

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. – 1 John 4:7-11

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? – 1 John 4:20   

***

GET RID OF ALL UNFORGIVENESS — and make things right with others when needed. Note: When we don’t forgive and release others, then we cannot be forgiven by God either. He will hold this to our account, if we choose to hold on to unforgiveness. 

When, you truly forgive others, then your conscience will become clear. And, if the other person involved refuses on their part, then leave the matter in God’s capable hands and let Him deal with it.

 “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15, But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” – Matthew 6:14 – 15

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 – But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. – Mark 11:25 -26   

NOTE: IF THERE IS A PERSON THAT YOU HAVE A DAMAGED OR BROKEN RELATIONSHIP WITH

Confess your part of the wrong to God, and tell the Lord that you will go to the person and make things right. And if there is distance involved, then call them, or write them, and make thing right on your part. Don’t try to justify yourself, just talk to them straight from the heart. Just do it!  Then you will be forgiven by the Lord.

KEEP THE OFFENSES REMOVED FROM YOUR LIFE

Make peace with others quickly, if you feel that someone has somehow offended you, or if you have offended someone, then it is always best to get the problem settled quickly.

Don’t allow it to get harbored in your mind. Go ahead and clear the air with others, when needed. It is best to just get it over with, because if you hold on to it, it will defile you and hurt you worse than the other person.

“Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” – Matthew 5:23, 24

“This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.” – Acts 24:16

“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” – Romans 12:18

****

BRING RESTORATION TO OTHERS

(Fellowship related guidelines for dealing with other believers)

Don’t black-list other people. Just make the effort to go to them and talk about the fault without condemnation. Do your best to help them, and look for different ways that you  may be able to minister to that person effectively.

If the person does not receive you, only then, should you take with you one or two others as a witness. Don’t be judgemental, but treat them with respect when you see them, as to set a Christian example. You may win them over, when they see God’s genuine love operating through you.

And then, if the person is still not repentant, it should be told to the Core-leadership of the Church, and let them decide how they are going to deal with the person, and any disciplinary measures that would need to be taken. And, from that time on, if the person did not show repentance, then you can count them as a heathen, as mentioned in the book of Galatians.

NOTE: A VERY SHARP CONTRAST TO HOW MANY BELIEVERS HANDLE THESE THINGS IN OUR DAY.

“It is always wise and best to stick with the guidelines shown in the scriptures, when dealing with people and problems in fellowship related situations.”

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. – Matthew 18: 15-17

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” – Galatians 6:1

***

DON’T SLANDER, GOSSIP OR DEFAME OTHERS.

Don’t talk behind people’s backs, or gossip, because, it is equivalent to the sin of witchcraft, and you are binding others with evil words, when you speak it out. It’s like speaking word curses, when you gossip, slander, or defamate another persons character. 

It also shows other people, what kind of person you really are. So, don’t do it, so that you may become known, as someone who walks in true Christian character and in godly wisdom.

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: – Luke 6:37

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful;

32, Who knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. – Romans 1:29-32

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. – Galatians 5: 19-21

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. – Colossians 3:12-15

***

As posted on:

Joshua AP Network E-list

Subscribe today!