“Intimacy with God leads to intimacy in a relationship.” – Coach Jan
Intimacy is something we all desire and God knows “it’s not good for man to be alone”. Therefore God was so intimate He made a family for us to know Him even more. My goal is to share God’s heart and Word with you so you may understand what He desires for you. You might not have known this but God is only good.
We are the ones who stuff things up. Therefore Jesus said we must forgive 7×70 in a day. That’s intense.
God is also a jealous God who feels like I would if I saw my wife flirting with another man. Yahweh wants you so bad that He was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. Once you see what He has sacrificed you will yearn to know Him. But building a relationship with someone you don’t know and can’t see is challenging, but not impossible. Millions of believers around the world are being led every single day by a His GRACE.
Think of it like online dating. You meet someone on a dating site. All you get to see is a picture and their bio. Just by looking at their dating profile you can determine if you like them or not. If you do like them, you send them a private message. Then you wait for them to make a move. Have you sincerely called out to Him?
STEP 1: REDISCOVER INTIMACY
As it is written, “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13
This is how all new relationships start, someone shows a real interest in your heart. They desire to see more of you, and then they communicate this desire by letting you know. If you feel the same you let them in, and slowly over time you learn to trust them. Only when there is a foundation of trust can love begin to flourish.
To have a relationship with God is not that much different from online dating.
If you wish to know how to have a intimate relationship with God, then I can simply tell you that through your desire for Him, He will come to you. When we take 1 sincere step towards God, He takes 99. He has a desire to be known by us, and He wants to show us how intimate He truly “knows us”. He fashioned us this way for a reason, so we might seek Him and become one with Him as two lovers sharing their Hearts.
The kind of love He has for us goes beyond our comprehension and therefore we are quick to accuse Him for the state of this world when His love gave us the free will to make of it what we please. It’s His free gift. Everything He designed, He gave away for free, but we doubted His loving heart, and we reached for more.
As it is written, “You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.” – Genesis 2:17
We were spiritually separated from God through our disobedience to His command. We lost our intimacy with Him, and this led to destruction. It has also led to the actions that gave birth to the “Egyptian System”. Humanity is no longer walking in the garden of Eden naked and unafraid. We live in a world controlled by tyranny and greed. Once we return to God with sincere hearts, He removes the veil, uniting us with Him.
Jesus Christ came to earth with a purpose, and that was 1) to reveal the Father to us, and 2) to reconcile us by paying the ultimate price for our disobedience. Jesus then gave the Holy Spirit up as a gift that would reside with those who believe to guide them, teach them, and intimately connect them to God (Yeshua).
As it is written, “It is for your benefit that I go away, for when I go I will send the Helper to you, and He, the Holy Spirit, will convict the world of sin, and He will reveal everything to you.” – Jesus Christ
sTEP 2: INTIMATE COMMUNICATION
As it is written, “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” – Jeremiah 29:12
As stated above, there must be a desire and a longing for more than this world can offer. The Holy Spirit gently draws us closer if we are pre-destined (Ephesians 1:3-6) to find God. I do believe that some of us are hard of hearing and naturally stubborn as all children are, and therefore we first need to discover that our ways aren’t always as wise as we might think. This means we need to feel the weight on sin on our lives.
Most people I know came to Christ not because they were told to by their parents, but due to their actions. There are many testimonies of rebels who fell to their knees crying at the feet of Jesus. The first account of this was the harlot who washed his feet with her tears. Jesus explained to His disciples, “Those who have been forgiven for much will love much.” This is the “law of opposites”, or “from darkness came Light.”
The Apostle Paul was once a crusader who killed many Christians, and when he saw Jesus on the road to Damascus he became blind, Jesus asked him “why are you persecuting me?” Paul became one of the most influential disciples every chosen by God, and he killed God’s people because they were seen as rebels. Paul became physically blind so he could receive new sight. Spiritual sight. He had his awakening.
As it is written, “One thing I do know, that I was blind, and now I see” – John 9:25
STEP 3: KNOWING THE FATHER
As it is written, “Your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.” – Isaiah 59:2
The Bible tells us God hears the prayers of a sinner who cries out with a repentant heart. It’s important to know what God looks at when He considers our prayers. Especially when we come to Him with a request. Most of the time we want to use God like a scapegoat to satisfy our desires. God cannot be manipulated.
It might not be something you want to hear today, but it’s something you need to hear. God wants us to be purified and clean. He cannot have communion with darkness as it’s not in His nature to share His cup with darkness. He is love and He is Light, and there is no deceit or lie to be found in Him. So before you can be intimate with God, there must be a change of heart. You must be baptized into Christ, that means you die.
As it written, “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ Jesus was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life in Him.” – Romans 6:3-4
The good news is that it is the unconditional agape love of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit that leads us to repentance. The goodness of God gives men and women who have fallen as a result of their own destructive (sinful) ways the freedom to come to Jesus Christ seeking forgiveness with gladness.
God wants to change your character with His GRACE. You are forgiven.
STEP 4: KNOWING JESUS cHRIST
“Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, Lord,” she answered. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Now go and sin no more. You are forgiven.” – John 8
Everyone knows who Jesus Christ is. The lamb of God who died for the sins of the world. No one should have to force Jesus on anyone by Bible bashing them about who God is and who they should worship. Christianity has changed Jesus into law, but they have forgotten their first love as Revelations reveals.
As it is written, “I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” – Revelations 2:4
Jesus laid down His life to open our eyes. He died so we could walk in the gift and authority of the Holy Spirit who came to turn the world upside down; to bring healing. God multiplied Himself by laying down His own Life (Seed) so we can offer the same sacrificial love to each other, so we can truly worship God in truth and in Spirit, which to Yeshua is a sweet-smelling aroma. The Spirit of God is the gift given to us.
As it is written, “The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.’” – Genesis 2:18
You see, when you look at Jesus Christ and what He did, what He stood for, and the Words He left for us, then you will see that Jesus laid down His life so that His legacy, God’s promised heritage, the Name of Jesus Christ, would be perpetuated eternally. God did something so significant that every person on earth would know who Jesus Christ is, whether they accept Him or not. They would know what He stood for.
Jesus died to share His message:
Sacrifice for the ones you love.
Forgive others as I forgave you.
There is more to life than gold.
STEP 5: FOLLOWING JESUS CHRIST
Jesus said, “See, no greater love has any man than to lay down his life for his own friends.”
Once you’ve repented and sincerely given your heart to Jesus Christ in faith, and you’ve made the decision to turn back to God, then His Holy Spirit will do the work in you (Philippians 1:6). You need not worry about the rest of this faith journey. Jesus Christ is leading you, and if you listen to His voice, He will lead you into the promised land. A land flowing with milk and honey. This is His promise to all who believe and who are baptized into Him. He is the heritage we receive as children of Abraham, descendants of Jesus Christ.
God said, “I will tend My flock and make them lie down. I will bring back the lost, bind up the broken, and strengthen them; but the wicked I will destroy. I will shepherd them with justice.” – Ezekiel 34:15
We are spiritual beings made to share the love of God with those who surround us every day to show them who Jesus Christ is in our actions, our thoughts, and how we sacrifice (blood, sweat, and tears) for the glory of God. Not for likes, not for the attention of people, nor for money, but for the Kingdom of God inside us. That’s the attitude that exalts Jesus Christ. Not seeking glory for self, but for what God is doing within us.
By His GRACE I am who I am.
I truly believe a happy, healthy, strong family is the “promised land” we all deeply desire as children of God. The protection and love of a family and a beautiful home is what we all need to feel fulfilled in this world. Without a healthy strong family, we will feel like orphans in this distorted place. We are all looking for a place to call home. The Word of God says we are like lost sheep without our Shepherd, and He is God.
As it is written, “I have promised to bring you up out of your affliction in Egypt, into a land flowing with milk and honey.” – Exodus 3:17
STEP 6: PRAYING TO GOD
As it is written, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” – Matthew 7:11
In my personal walk with Christ I have come to learn that taking a step of faith is to do so even if there is a little bit of doubt. I’ve prayed for so many things with a sincere heart and I’ve received what I asked for in the most amazing ways. God knows who I am, and He knows my style. He knows what shoes I like, and what dog breed suits me best. He is an intimate God who called me Jan, and He chose me to build this.
I’ve done road trips with God down the Garden Route of South Africa where I would give my first portion (time/money/heart) to Him. I could clearly see how He established my steps from one amazing experience to the next. He would connect me with people, and give me visions and new revelations. Why? Because I sought Him with all of my heart, all my soul, and all strength. He is the end all and be all of my existence.
The first prayer I sincerely prayed was the prayer for repentance. It was after Bodybuilding and my desire for more almost destroyed everything in my life. If you are at a place where you feel like you need to turn your life around, please pray this prayer alone in your room with the doors shut. He wants to be with you.
“Heavenly Father I come to you today on my knees with my hands raised up, and Lord I ask that you would please forgive me for my foolish ways. Lord Jesus Christ, I repent for and the pain I’ve caused for myself and others. Please give me a new heart and a clean start. I believe You are the Son of God, and I believe You live. Bless me with your Holy Spirit and ignite my heart to seek your will as it is above. In Jesus Name I pray.“
“Amen!”
If you prayed this prayer and you sincerely offered your heart to God the Father, then you now have a new identity as a Child of the Most High, and I would like to welcome you to the Spirit-Family. United by One.
The blood of Christ now covers you for eternity. Redeemed.
As it is written, “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
STEP 7: BAPTIZED; ONE WITH GOD
As it is written, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’” – John 3:6
It’s very interesting. Jesus speaks of the baptism as if to say “the first birth was established by the flesh of man, the lust between a man and woman, but there comes a greater birth than this, the birth of the spirit-man who is likened to God, and is birthed through the will of God. Not the will of manly flesh.” does this make sense? God demonstrated this spiritual cleaning “re-birth” ritual a few times throughout scripture.
We see an entire wicked generation cleansed from the earth with Noah’s flood (40 days and 40 nights). Then Moses leads Israel through the wilderness for 40 years before they can enter the promised land, and once again the old generation had to die. John the Baptist came preaching the kingdom of God as He prepared a way for the coming Messiah. John said,” Be baptised every one you and be saved.”
Jesus came to John and asked to be baptized. John almost laughed saying, “Lord You aught to baptize me.” Jesus simply replied saying, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” When Jesus was baptized the Holy Spirit descended from heaven like a dove and suddenly there was a Voice from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” – Matthew 3:13 – 17
Personally I’ve baptized a few people and I could see how they transformed over time. God also gave me a vision of a Seed, that requires water and fire to germinate, and that’s what takes place when we die to self in baptism and are born again by the 7 fold (Fire) Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ. Perhaps there is more to this.
Let’s look at what the Bible reveals to us.
“Jesus was teaching the people in the temple proclaiming the gospel when the chief priests and scribes, together with the elders, came up to Him. “Tell us,” they said, “by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” Jesus replied, “I will also ask you a question, Tell Me: John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it was from.
Then Jesus replied, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
STEP 8: TRUST GOD; IT WILL BE HARD
Jesus said, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ Now this is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.
After inviting the Holy Spirit into your heart, you will receive a hunger to know God, to know Jesus Christ, and the Word of God. You will also receive the nature (anointing) of a sacred child of God (#Royalty). This world will start to lose its flavor as wisdom and clarity present themselves. The Holy Spirit will open your eyes and ears, empowering you to go beyond your fears as you walk into the promised land with Him. But please take note, you still have to walk through the wilderness to be sanctified.
Once you become a new creation through the sanctification of your heart, once you understand the magnitude of what God has blessed you with through the blood of His only begotten Son, only then will you understand why Jesus Christ is such a big deal in the Kingdom of God. He sacrificed His own life, and at the same time the life of His Son, so that all (You & I) might live through Him, and that all might come to know Him and be known by Him in a deeply affectionate and intimate way.
The beauty of denying your old flesh nature to live with God’s heart is that once you experience the goodness of God’s nature, you desire to have more of Him. Once you become a mature heir to God’s Kingdom, you will see the multiplication of the seeds you planted with your words and deeds. Your life will start to flourish like a tree that is planted by a well of living water, and you will bear good fruit in every season. Fruit that is good and pleasing to God the Father. You will be a blessing and not a curse.
The seeds along the path are those who hear, but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. The seeds on rocky ground are those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but they have no root. They believe for a season, but in the time of testing, they fall.
Family is how we can get to intimately know God. In the Bible, God shows up as a protective Father, a loving Brother, and a nurturing Mother. He does this to demonstrate His own character. He is the Trinity, the 7-fold Holy Spirit, He is in all things, through all things, and all things hold together in Him. We are here to share His love in unity as a family was designed to.
The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature. But the seeds on good soil are those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word of God, cling to it, and by persevering produce an abundant crop.” – Luke 8
If you are like the one who hears the word of God with a noble heart, then decide today to lay down your own life as a sacrifice for the ones you love and trust God. Let go of your ego, humble yourself in prayer, circumcise your heart by choice, and follow Christ in faith. Childlike faith is just that, using your imagination to write love letters to God with a contrite repentant heart.
God knows you because He purposefully made you the way you are. He is the one who decided to give you the talents and abilities you have so He could be glorified through them. He is the one who finds joy watching His children grow up, multiply, and fill the earth with His glory. He is the one who will use every detail of our lives like a masterpiece to glorify His Holy Name.
Jesus took our brokenness upon Himself and gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit, to set us free and comfort us through a season of refinement as He did in the days where Moses led God’s people out of captivity and into the promised land. He wants to set us free from the slavery we experience as we work for this economical beast, the machine we’ve created to serve our greed.
This journey of self-discovery and growth is known as the Ancient Pathway, and this blog can be used to remind yourself of who you are and who He made you to be; to help you set your mind on the things above. But this can’t replace the free gift of God. He gave you His heart, His own flesh and blood – Jesus Christ. But in order to walk into the promised land you need to do things His way, and in order to do that, you will need to seek Him, and know Him as your Father, your Mother, and your Brother.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:3
STEP 9: KEEP YOUR FAMILY CLOSE
“God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this love is perfected within us, so we may have this confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. ” – John 4:18
You will never truly understand how much God loves you unless you become a parent yourself. It’s one of the reasons why God designed us as a family. The pure joy and inquisitive nature of a child can bring about a new sense of awe and wonder for life by adding vibrant shades of color to this black and white world. But please don’t get knocked up just to understand God’s love. There is a time and place for everything under the sun, and we all have to mature as we learn to walk and talk as Jesus does.
You need to know that this world is a seductive place where families are torn apart by our enemy the devil every single day. That’s why I designed this platform; to strengthen the body of Christ and lead men and women to God so they can lead their families, their workplace, and their community back to the Shepherd. He is the ultimate dragon slayer and He fights for you.
All of us do what we do for different reasons, but at the core of it, we see family. Whether that’s to make our parents proud or to be good parents ourselves, all of us want to be loved, and we want someone to love. We were made by the love of God to love and to be loved. So, ask yourself these questions, “Why do I do what I do? Why do I work? Why do I exist? Why am I here?”
If we are to represent the love and unity of a family, then we have a responsibility to do things God’s way as He is the archetype. The world as we know it today is broken and so is the family. Divorce rates are as high as the orders for wedding cakes and the truth is, we have lost touch with God’s Spirit of love, order, and forgiveness. The truth is we have lost touch with our First love.
Men are beating their wives, and mothers are rejecting their daughters, and sons are performing for love and acceptance. These “sins” are passed on from one generation to the next like a bloodline curse and homes are ripped apart by the domino effect of our actions. We have hardened our hearts towards the Father; it’s time to repent and turn back to His Original Design.
My conclusion to this Spirit Walk is that He will do the work we are unable to if we trust Him. He will give you a new heart and that is the best start. Walking with God is a patient step-by-step process. You won’t have the answers for tomorrow if you don’t focus on today. But what I can tell you is that you always have a choice to love, and that means you lay down your life for love.
This is what the Word of God says about love: “Love endures suffering with patience, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. Love is not rude; it is not self-seeking; it is not overly sensitive or easily angered; love thinks no evil. It does not rejoice at injustice but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails.” – 1 Corinthians 13
That is a powerful scripture if you read it slowly and really consider how your own actions line up with God’s description of love. I find it particularly interesting that He starts with suffering and patience. You have your entire life to learn what it means to be a child, a father, a mother, a husband, a wife, and old. So, take time and sit with God for a while. He has a lot to say if you listen.
Husbands: See your wife through God’s eyes. He is her heavenly Father and He deeply loves her, and if you choose to love her, you choose to represent God’s love to her. You need to “know” her and know what she needs before she even asks or begs you. Love her this way, and she will be your crown and your iron pillar. You will be her man king and she will be your beauty queen.
Women are gentle creatures who overthink things. Think about all their needs when you pray.
Wives: Love your husband the way God loves him, help him to grow and support him, take care of him and encourage him. Pray every day that God would show how to love him, and then love him the way he needs to be loved. Men are pretty easy, they want to cuddle and then make love. Men want to build things, they want to catch things, and they want to win things.
Men are simple. They are primal. Give them room to be men. Don’t put a leash around them.
Parents: Your children should inspire you to lead by example if you want the best for them and the future you are building for them. If you don’t show them who God is through your teachings and guidance, then they will get consumed by the things of this world just as you likely did. You have a responsibility towards the next generation, and it’s time to shine for them.
Children are unique individuals. Don’t try to put them into your ideals. Let God shape them.
Children: Children, honor your parents, listen to them, respect them, and serve them. See them the way God sees them and allow them to discipline you, but never allow them to beat you. Love them and be quick to forgive them. They are also affected by challenges every day. They are also in the process of sanctification and the metamorphosis of their soul. Be kind and be kids for as long as you can. Learn as much as you can, and don’t be lazy or eat too many sweets. You don’t want diabetes.
Be Mini Bodybuilders for Christ instead. You will be the strongest pupils in your class!
Servants: To be a servant in the kingdom of God is a honor and a blessing. Serving in the kingdom of God means you need to demonstrate more resilience and faith against the persecutions you will face. Humans are flawed and they make mistakes. Some rule with cruel hearts like Laban who made Jacob work twice as long for what he was promised. The Word of God says servants are to submit to their masters as they would to God. This act of obedience will lead to great blessings in the end.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
As it is written, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart…” – Jeremiah 1:5
STEP 10: FIND NEW REVELATIONS
As it is written, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
Jesus Christ can be likened to our brother who is present at all times to teach us what to do and say in every situation. His Word is placed in our hearts and He gives us the desire to do good, bless others, forgive them, and give more than we desire to take. Once we are set free by His Holy Spirit we will no longer live from a place of fear or greed. We will truly be set free to thrive.
Having a relationship with God is much different than having a relationship with a flawed human. To know the Almighty and to be known by Him is a whole new ball game. It gives eternal value to the life we live.
God loved us while we were in darkness, blinded to the truth. Jesus died for us to remind us of who we are and to wash our guilt and shame away. God chose not to look at our weaknesses, so we might learn to do the same.
Think about the words you’ve just read, read them again in a day or two. Meditate on each statement and know God’s heart. God joined creation to experienced our suffering so He could show us that He understands our pain, and He forgives us.
If you want to be intimate with God, start off by following His Son, and then lay down your life for the ones you love. Living in love is to sacrifice yourself for a greater cause. The heritage we leave behind for our family.
“We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God who he has not seen. This commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”
Enter into the Ancient Pathway if you are ready to leave Egypt (this world) behind.
Coach Jan
P.S. Be the Blessing