Better Together

A Deeper Intimacy with God | Better Together Episode 1152

March 31, 2026 | S8 E1152 | 50:59

When Jesus died, the Jerusalem Temple veil to the Holy of Holies was torn from top to bottom--a physical symbol that there are no barriers to experiencing God’s presence. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, we can have a personal relationship with God right now! | TBN Prayer Line: 714-731-1000

#Cross #Salvation #Intimacy #Boldness #Grace #PresenceofGod #GardenofEden #Shame #Temple #HolySpirit #VoiceofGod #WordofGod #LaurieCrouch #SheilaWalsh #FaithEuryCho #NonaJones

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Better Together | A Deeper Intimacy with God | Better Together Episode 1152 | March 31, 2026

(beeping sound)
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- when jesus said, "it is finished,"
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The veil that was separating god from men was ripped apart.
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We now have direct access to his throne.
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So get ready to experience deeper intimacy
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With the one who loves you the most.
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Come on, join us.
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(uplifting music) (singer vocalizing)
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- this week, to me, is the most significant week
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Of the year,
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Because we get to reflect
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On the most significant event in human history.
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And i feel like today's conversation is one
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That is not discussed as much,
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Because we talk about the death,
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The burial, the resurrection,
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But we don't really talk about the why as much
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Beyond salvation.
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We say, "oh, jesus died so that we could be saved."
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But there's actually another layer to this
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That i want us to dig into.
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And i think in order to do that,
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I want us to do a little bit of a bible survey.
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We're not gonna do a study,
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But there are some scriptures i wanna share
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Just to ground us.
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So in exodus chapter 19, beginning at verse 20,
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The israelites and moses, they're at mount sinai,
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And god invites moses to come up the mountain.
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And he says this in verse 20.
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The bible says, "the lord descended
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To the top of mount sinai and called moses
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To the top of the mountain.
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So moses went up, and the lord said to him,
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'go down and warn the people,
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So they do not force their way through
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To see the lord, and many of them perish.
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Even the priests who approach the lord
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Must consecrate themselves,
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Or the lord will break out against them.'"
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So moses says to the lord,
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"the people cannot come up on mount sinai,
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Because you yourself warned us,
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'put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.'"
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So we have here an example of god
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Essentially separating himself from the people.
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Right?
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God is like, "you cannot come here."
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So then we fast forward,
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And in exodus chapter 40, moses sets up the tabernacle.
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And god was very precise
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About how he wants the tabernacle set up.
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So moses by himself sets up this tabernacle.
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And once it was all done,
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Once the curtains were hung, separating the outer court
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From the inner and the holy from the holy of holies,
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It says that once that was done,
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Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and altar.
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He put up the curtain at the entrance of the courtyard
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And says, "moses finished the work."
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It says, "then the cloud covered the tent of meeting,
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And the glory of the lord filled the tabernacle."
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It says, "moses could not enter the tent of meeting,
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Because the cloud had settled on it,
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And the glory of the lord filled the tabernacle."
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So now we're in a situation;
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On the one hand, on mount sinai, moses is the only person
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Who's allowed to essentially be in the face of god,
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To have intimacy and presence with god.
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Once the tabernacle is set up
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And the curtains are in place,
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Now even moses is told, "you can't come in here."
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And so we go from there over to,
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I think this is numbers 3,
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And this is where god sets up priests.
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He sets up these priests, aaron and his sons.
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- beginning at verse 10, it says, "appoint aaron
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And his sons to serve as priest.
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Anyone else who approaches the sanctuary is
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To be put to death."
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So here are these people.
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They can approach me.
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Anyone else who comes near me will be put to death.
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All right?
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So we're seeing this separation of god from the people.
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We're seeing these intermediaries put in place
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To where the people cannot access god.
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They have to go through other people
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Who act on their behalf.
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But then we get over to matthew 27.
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And jesus has been crucified.
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He has been tortured, he's been beaten, he's been abused.
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And the bible tells us beginning at verse 45, it says,
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"from noon until three in the afternoon,
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Darkness came over all the land.
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About three in the afternoon,
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Jesus cried out in a loud voice.
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And my aramaic is absolutely flawless.
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(speaks in foreign language),
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Which is probably completely wrong,
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But what it means is-
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- [speaker with soft tone] that's good.
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- my god, my god.
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Why have you forsaken me?
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When some of those standing there heard this, they said,
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"he's calling elijah."
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It says, immediately one of them ran
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And got a sponge, filled it with vinegar, put it on staff,
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Offered it to jesus to drink.
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The rest said, "now leave him alone.
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Let's see if elijah comes to save him."
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"and when jesus had cried out again in a loud voice,
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He gave up his spirit.
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At that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn in two
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From top to bottom.
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The curtain of the temple was torn in two
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From top to bottom."
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The moment that jesus finished the work of the cross,
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The very curtain (laughs happily)
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That separated god
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From the people was torn,
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Not from bottom to top.
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- come on.
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- it was a very tall, very thick curtain.
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All right?
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- [jenni] yeah.
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- so if it was gonna be torn by man,
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It would've been torn from bottom to top, right?
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It was torn from top to bottom
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Because god decided that he was going
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To make himself accessible.
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- come on. - to people again.
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- yeah, come on.
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- so when we talk about holy week, when we talk about
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What jesus did, it wasn't just about saving our souls.
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It wasn't just about getting us to a place
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Where in eternity, we would one day see and meet god.
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What jesus did is he actually gave us access to god now.
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- yeah.
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- [jenni] come on.
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- he did the thing that nobody else could do,
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Like going all the way back to mount sinai.
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God was like, "all right, moses, it's me and you.
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Nobody else come here.
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You're gonna die.
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Then we get to the tabernacle
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And it's like, all right, moses, you can't even come here.
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It's aaron and his sons.
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That's it."
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And then what jesus does is he restores access to god
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Knowing that we're not perfect, knowing that we fail god.
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When we were still sinners, christ died for us.
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God restored intimacy when we were at our worst.
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- that's right.
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- and for me, this is the most profound part
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Of this week for me,
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Because if you look at other faith traditions,
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And they're really not faiths.
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They're more religions than faiths.
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They do not have access to god.
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You have rituals, you have practices.
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You hope that if you do it good enough
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That maybe you'll make it to whatever heaven is.
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We as believers in christ,
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Have access to god now.
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In this very moment, no matter how messed up
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You may feel, no matter how many times you may have failed,
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God is saying in this very moment, "i
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Ripped the veil in two
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So that you could come to me
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Through the work that my son did."
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That to me is the greatest expression of love.
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- yeah. - ever.
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- outrageous.
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- we have complete access to god.
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We can go to him about anything.
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There's nothing we can't go to him about.
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In fact, we could try to hide it from him, but he's there.
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He's always there.
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He knows what we're thinking
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Before we say it, before we even think it.
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And so i think what he cares more about is
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That we're willing to share these things with him.
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For instance, my kids, i usually know what they're thinking
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Before they say it or what they're gonna ask me
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Before they ask it.
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But i like them to ask me,
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And i like them to say it to me anyways.
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It's about the relationship.
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And so, yeah, go to him.
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He already knows and he already loves you.
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It's not like you can do anything to change that.
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(gentle music)
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- i would love to hear your own thoughts on just the fact
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That god did not just offer us salvation.
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- right.
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- he actually offered us the restoration of relationship.
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- [speaker with strong tone] yeah.
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- [jenni] yes. - and intimacy now.
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- i think a lot of people wonder,
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Like when you talk about those passages, they're like,
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"well, why on earth was god like that?
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Why was he trying to keep everybody out?
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And it's not because of anything about us
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Other than the fact were sinners 'cause he's so perfect.
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- so absolutely holy. - so absolutely holy.
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So when it was, when aaron was the priest,
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He was only allowed to go into the holy of holies
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One day a year, day of-
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And they made him wear a bell.
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- right. - yeah.
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- in case, because-
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- in case he didn't make it.
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- yeah, if he died and they had a rope tied
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Around his ankle. if he died in there,
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They could pull him out.
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'cause nobody else could go in.
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I was reading about the different curtains in the temple.
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- yeah.
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- but matthew makes it really clear
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From what he uses, that it was the one,
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- the one. - the holy of holies.
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And literally it was the width of a man's hand
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And literally ripped, i mean.
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- that's 60 feet long and four inches wide.
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- yes.
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What that says to us right now is outrageous.
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God's saying, come in.
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- yes. - you're welcome.
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- yes. - [host] yeah.
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- and not because of anything we've done.
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We've not changed. it's jesus.
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- [host] right.
00:09:12.697 --> 00:09:14.265
- i love the fact that you pointed out it was the moment
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That christ gave up his spirit
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That god said, "okay, you can come home."
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- [host] yeah.
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- i think sometimes we forget that intimacy was the point.
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- that was the whole point.
00:09:23.908 --> 00:09:24.743
- yeah. - yeah.
00:09:24.743 --> 00:09:25.710
- that was the whole point.
00:09:25.710 --> 00:09:27.012
I mean, it's the actual gift of the gospel.
00:09:27.012 --> 00:09:28.913
- [host] yes. - [host 2] yeah.
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- you know, sometimes we think
00:09:29.914 --> 00:09:31.416
That salvation just means we get a ticket to heaven
00:09:31.416 --> 00:09:34.486
And we get to avoid hell, right?
00:09:34.486 --> 00:09:37.055
But then the gift of the gospel is that friendship
00:09:37.055 --> 00:09:41.092
With the lord, the garden
00:09:41.092 --> 00:09:43.328
Where that communion was not hindered.
00:09:43.328 --> 00:09:45.764
That garden was supposed to be fruitful,
00:09:45.764 --> 00:09:48.133
- right.
00:09:48.133 --> 00:09:49.401
- as an overflow of that perfect friendship.
00:09:49.401 --> 00:09:52.303
But now we as humankind, even honestly even christians,
00:09:52.303 --> 00:09:56.875
Can sometimes live our lives trying to grow our gardens.
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- yes.
00:10:00.445 --> 00:10:02.013
- [host 3] not as friends of god, but as strangers of god.
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You know, i mean, when you look at revelation
00:10:04.015 --> 00:10:07.185
And the depiction of what eternity will look like,
00:10:07.185 --> 00:10:10.689
Eternity won't even need a sun
00:10:10.689 --> 00:10:12.924
Because the presence
00:10:12.924 --> 00:10:14.092
Of god himself will be the light.
00:10:14.092 --> 00:10:17.228
- [host 4] yeah.
00:10:17.228 --> 00:10:18.430
- like he is the beginning and the end.
00:10:18.430 --> 00:10:20.298
And so oftentimes,
00:10:20.298 --> 00:10:21.666
I think we could get really caught up
00:10:21.666 --> 00:10:24.135
In the secondary things, but the purpose
00:10:24.135 --> 00:10:27.572
Of our salvation walk, as you were sharing,
00:10:27.572 --> 00:10:30.442
Is to know him intimately,
00:10:30.442 --> 00:10:32.444
Authentically, and passionately.
00:10:32.444 --> 00:10:34.045
- it was intimacy.
00:10:34.045 --> 00:10:35.513
- [host] yes. - [host 2] yeah.
00:10:35.513 --> 00:10:36.815
- and tearing down from the top to the bottom.
00:10:36.815 --> 00:10:39.250
Humanity couldn't climb its way back in. you know?
00:10:39.250 --> 00:10:41.920
So you think of the priest,
00:10:41.920 --> 00:10:43.121
I think of the priest standing there
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And they have denied christ.
00:10:45.657 --> 00:10:47.826
Christ has been crucified.
00:10:47.826 --> 00:10:49.728
Their whole vocation is sacrificing
00:10:49.728 --> 00:10:52.330
And all of a sudden the presence of the lord is now free
00:10:52.330 --> 00:10:56.401
To go back to the garden,
00:10:56.401 --> 00:10:57.769
That unhindered fellowship between god and man.
00:10:57.769 --> 00:11:02.273
That's second covenant.
00:11:02.273 --> 00:11:03.975
- yes. - there's no layer.
00:11:03.975 --> 00:11:06.311
There's no hindrance.
00:11:06.311 --> 00:11:07.946
There's no steps to get into his presence.
00:11:07.946 --> 00:11:10.949
It's the presence of the lord is everywhere.
00:11:10.949 --> 00:11:13.618
Where can i go from your presence?
00:11:13.618 --> 00:11:15.487
- wow. - now.
00:11:15.487 --> 00:11:16.688
- ever since the garden in genesis three,
00:11:17.555 --> 00:11:20.158
God's been on a rescue mission to restore our authority
00:11:20.158 --> 00:11:24.696
And our intimacy with him.
00:11:24.696 --> 00:11:26.598
That authority flows from our intimacy.
00:11:26.598 --> 00:11:30.168
And that intimacy was made accessible to us once again
00:11:30.168 --> 00:11:34.372
By the blood of jesus christ.
00:11:34.372 --> 00:11:35.974
But you know, you could see from genesis to revelation
00:11:35.974 --> 00:11:39.043
That god never stopped chasing us so that he could close
00:11:39.043 --> 00:11:42.547
That gap between us.
00:11:42.547 --> 00:11:44.282
There was one time when my baby sister, when she was like,
00:11:45.416 --> 00:11:49.320
I don't know, like maybe two
00:11:49.320 --> 00:11:50.855
Or three, she locked herself in a room
00:11:50.855 --> 00:11:54.125
And we didn't know how to open this door.
00:11:54.125 --> 00:11:56.461
We had to call the janitor.
00:11:56.461 --> 00:11:57.629
The janitor was gonna come in an hour.
00:11:57.629 --> 00:11:59.731
It was like a whole ordeal.
00:11:59.731 --> 00:12:01.566
But then my heart just broke
00:12:01.566 --> 00:12:03.501
'cause here's this little itty bitty thing like,
00:12:03.501 --> 00:12:06.037
That's behind a door.
00:12:06.037 --> 00:12:08.339
And you could hear her like, you know, try to be, "mommy."
00:12:08.339 --> 00:12:12.811
You know, like, and so i remember while my mother was
00:12:12.811 --> 00:12:16.948
On the phone with, you know, people that could come
00:12:16.948 --> 00:12:19.284
And help, i put my fingers underneath the door.
00:12:19.284 --> 00:12:22.720
- [host] yeah. - and said,
00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:23.721
"hey, you know, look at me.
00:12:23.721 --> 00:12:25.723
I'm right here, you know?"
00:12:25.723 --> 00:12:27.292
So even though she locked herself in there, i was trying
00:12:27.292 --> 00:12:31.329
To make a way for us to stay connected,
00:12:31.329 --> 00:12:35.200
As imperfect as it may have been back then.
00:12:35.200 --> 00:12:37.435
But you know, it's funny
00:12:37.435 --> 00:12:38.837
Because, you know, we're talking about okay,
00:12:38.837 --> 00:12:41.139
Like there was all these boundaries
00:12:41.139 --> 00:12:42.841
Because god is holy, right?
00:12:42.841 --> 00:12:44.909
And i think sometimes we take that as, oh,
00:12:44.909 --> 00:12:48.279
Because he's so much better than we are,
00:12:48.279 --> 00:12:50.582
He had to separate himself so that we don't die
00:12:50.582 --> 00:12:53.985
Because his perfection is so amazing, right?
00:12:53.985 --> 00:12:56.554
But i think when you really think about it, yes,
00:12:56.554 --> 00:12:59.557
But also he was always just making a way.
00:12:59.557 --> 00:13:02.594
- yeah.
00:13:02.594 --> 00:13:03.862
- like unless those barriers were there,
00:13:03.862 --> 00:13:06.764
We could not commune with him.
00:13:06.764 --> 00:13:09.133
Unless we were consecrated,
00:13:09.133 --> 00:13:11.536
We could not commune with him.
00:13:11.536 --> 00:13:13.371
So actually, they were not rules to keep us from him.
00:13:13.371 --> 00:13:18.042
They were provisions he was making away
00:13:18.042 --> 00:13:21.913
So that we could commune.
00:13:21.913 --> 00:13:23.548
And if you think about it,
00:13:23.548 --> 00:13:25.083
That's just what redemptive history really is all about.
00:13:25.083 --> 00:13:27.752
God is constantly making a way.
00:13:27.752 --> 00:13:31.222
- for us to continually commune with him.
00:13:32.090 --> 00:13:33.658
He could have just given up and been like, "you know what?
00:13:33.658 --> 00:13:35.193
Forget it, goodbye," right?
00:13:35.193 --> 00:13:37.028
But then it was just constantly from genesis to revelation,
00:13:37.028 --> 00:13:41.266
- yeah. - god just making a way
00:13:41.266 --> 00:13:42.934
So that he could be with us and we could be with him.
00:13:42.934 --> 00:13:45.970
- i didn't grow up in a christian home.
00:13:46.804 --> 00:13:48.640
I didn't know anything about god, jesus, or the bible
00:13:48.640 --> 00:13:51.809
Until i was in the sixth grade
00:13:51.809 --> 00:13:53.077
And a classmate invited me to church.
00:13:53.077 --> 00:13:54.913
And i remember even when i went to church
00:13:54.913 --> 00:13:57.348
And i kind of heard about the god thing and the jesus thing,
00:13:57.348 --> 00:14:00.818
I still did not understand the depth of what it meant.
00:14:00.818 --> 00:14:06.124
But once i made jesus lord of my life,
00:14:06.958 --> 00:14:09.127
And i was taught how to pray,
00:14:09.127 --> 00:14:11.629
I realized that god is not some abstract being
00:14:11.629 --> 00:14:15.967
That's just invisible in the sky somewhere.
00:14:15.967 --> 00:14:17.902
No, god is in my day-to-day life,
00:14:17.902 --> 00:14:21.306
And the gift of his presence allows me to commune with him,
00:14:21.306 --> 00:14:25.543
To get to know him.
00:14:25.543 --> 00:14:26.844
It allows me to build intimacy with him.
00:14:26.844 --> 00:14:29.514
And that to me, is the greatest gift we could ever receive.
00:14:29.514 --> 00:14:33.985
That the god of the universe wants to know us,
00:14:33.985 --> 00:14:36.888
Wants to speak with us, wants to be in relationship with us.
00:14:36.888 --> 00:14:40.325
That is the gift of the cross.
00:14:40.325 --> 00:14:43.161
We now have the opportunity to not just know of god,
00:14:43.161 --> 00:14:46.230
But to be in relationship with him.
00:14:46.230 --> 00:14:48.399
(upbeat instrumental music)
00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:50.168
- we want you to join the conversation
00:14:50.168 --> 00:14:51.536
And connect with us on social media.
00:14:51.536 --> 00:14:53.338
- ask a question, share a prayer request,
00:14:53.338 --> 00:14:55.473
And make friends with women all over the world.
00:14:55.473 --> 00:14:57.542
- because we are.
00:14:57.542 --> 00:14:58.643
- "better together."
00:14:58.643 --> 00:15:00.111
- [laurie] let's keep the conversation going.
00:15:01.045 --> 00:15:03.281
You can find the "better together" podcast
00:15:03.281 --> 00:15:05.249
On your favorite listening platform.
00:15:05.249 --> 00:15:07.318
Subscribe today.
00:15:07.318 --> 00:15:08.920
(gentle instrumental music)
00:15:08.920 --> 00:15:11.992
(upbeat soothing music)
00:15:12.491 --> 00:15:15.260
- the fact that god is holy,
00:15:15.260 --> 00:15:17.663
And yet he was creating ways and paths and provisions
00:15:17.663 --> 00:15:22.368
For the israelites to have relationship with him,
00:15:22.368 --> 00:15:25.404
Even though they were not holy.
00:15:25.404 --> 00:15:28.207
- yeah. - so, he puts together
00:15:28.207 --> 00:15:29.842
This whole rubric, this whole system, this whole framework,
00:15:29.842 --> 00:15:32.644
That feels very elaborate.
00:15:32.644 --> 00:15:34.380
It feels very intricate.
00:15:34.380 --> 00:15:35.948
But god is even saying in that,
00:15:35.948 --> 00:15:38.117
"i still want you to be able to connect with me,
00:15:38.117 --> 00:15:39.885
- yes. - but in your state
00:15:39.885 --> 00:15:41.420
You can't.
00:15:41.420 --> 00:15:42.921
But i love you so much that i'm not even going to let
00:15:42.921 --> 00:15:44.623
That remain because i want direct contact with you.
00:15:44.623 --> 00:15:48.160
- right. - so, i am going to
00:15:48.160 --> 00:15:50.162
Send my son, the most precious, priceless gift
00:15:50.162 --> 00:15:54.933
I could give you.
00:15:54.933 --> 00:15:55.868
I'm gonna send my only son.
00:15:55.868 --> 00:15:56.969
I'm not gonna send one of my sons."
00:15:56.969 --> 00:15:58.437
I oftentimes think about abraham,
00:15:58.437 --> 00:16:00.172
And how god was so clear when he told him to take your son,
00:16:00.172 --> 00:16:04.676
Your son whom you love,
00:16:04.676 --> 00:16:06.945
And bring him up there to sacrifice.
00:16:06.945 --> 00:16:08.313
'cause if he would've said take your son,
00:16:08.313 --> 00:16:09.915
He would've took ishmael.
00:16:09.915 --> 00:16:10.983
- right (laughs). - right?
00:16:10.983 --> 00:16:11.917
Oh yeah, take one to sacrifice.
00:16:11.917 --> 00:16:13.852
- yeah. - ishmael,
00:16:13.852 --> 00:16:15.220
We're going on a journey. - maybe another one
00:16:15.220 --> 00:16:16.121
That's not even mentioned.
00:16:16.121 --> 00:16:17.189
- right. - right.
00:16:17.189 --> 00:16:18.524
- well, well there's that too. (group laughing)
00:16:18.524 --> 00:16:19.558
- yeah. - but god was like,
00:16:19.558 --> 00:16:20.726
I'm not choosing from a pool of sons,
00:16:20.726 --> 00:16:23.095
Or a bench of sons. - right.
00:16:23.095 --> 00:16:24.329
- i'm gonna use my only begotten son
00:16:24.329 --> 00:16:25.898
Because i don't want you to have to keep figuring out, okay,
00:16:25.898 --> 00:16:28.967
Is it the smudge or do i do the drip?
00:16:28.967 --> 00:16:30.936
Do i do the grain, is this the fellowship?
00:16:30.936 --> 00:16:32.838
Like, which offering am i doing?
00:16:32.838 --> 00:16:34.073
He's like, "no, i'm going to provide.
00:16:34.073 --> 00:16:36.508
I'm going to provide
00:16:36.508 --> 00:16:37.509
- so good. - right.
00:16:37.509 --> 00:16:38.343
- the perfect sacrifice
00:16:38.343 --> 00:16:39.611
Because i want to be in relationship with you."
00:16:39.611 --> 00:16:41.413
- yeah. - and the enemy
00:16:41.413 --> 00:16:42.448
Wants to convince us - yeah.
00:16:42.448 --> 00:16:43.949
- that god doesn't want to be in relationship with us.
00:16:43.949 --> 00:16:46.285
- right. - yes.
00:16:46.285 --> 00:16:47.252
- that we messed it up so bad
00:16:47.252 --> 00:16:48.921
- yeah. - that god doesn't want
00:16:48.921 --> 00:16:50.355
To be in relationship.
00:16:50.355 --> 00:16:51.256
That's a lie.
00:16:51.256 --> 00:16:52.524
- in our context, it's even like we have
00:16:52.524 --> 00:16:53.892
To make appointments for everything.
00:16:53.892 --> 00:16:55.360
So, even how we pray, we're like,
00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:57.463
"oh, we're gonna pray right now."
00:16:57.463 --> 00:16:58.430
- yeah. - when we say pray
00:16:58.430 --> 00:16:59.932
Like unceasing, you're just talking
00:16:59.932 --> 00:17:02.701
And he's with you - yes.
00:17:02.701 --> 00:17:03.836
- the whole time, right? - yes, yes.
00:17:03.836 --> 00:17:05.237
- and in hebrews 4:16, "let us therefore come boldly
00:17:05.237 --> 00:17:09.508
To the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy
00:17:09.508 --> 00:17:12.177
And find grace to help in time of need."
00:17:12.177 --> 00:17:15.614
That is any time.
00:17:15.614 --> 00:17:16.849
- yes. - we don't have to make
00:17:16.849 --> 00:17:17.749
An appointment.
00:17:17.749 --> 00:17:18.851
He's accessible to us all the time
00:17:18.851 --> 00:17:20.419
Because of that rip, the tear from the top to the bottom.
00:17:20.419 --> 00:17:23.088
He's accessible at all times.
00:17:23.088 --> 00:17:25.057
- thank you. - and to have the god
00:17:25.057 --> 00:17:27.226
Of creation - yes.
00:17:27.226 --> 00:17:29.128
- that accessible to us, i mean,
00:17:29.128 --> 00:17:30.496
Doesn't that just drive you to want to be better.
00:17:30.496 --> 00:17:33.232
- and that he says, "come boldly."
00:17:33.232 --> 00:17:35.067
- yes, come boldly. - not apologetically.
00:17:35.067 --> 00:17:36.668
- right. - yeah.
00:17:36.668 --> 00:17:37.970
- i don't belong here. - not mildly, right.
00:17:37.970 --> 00:17:39.338
- come boldly to the throne of grace.
00:17:39.338 --> 00:17:41.707
- yeah. - yeah.
00:17:41.707 --> 00:17:43.208
- wow, that's huge there. - where we can obtain mercy.
00:17:43.208 --> 00:17:44.309
- yeah. - that's huge.
00:17:44.309 --> 00:17:45.811
When the veil was rent in two (laughs),
00:17:46.678 --> 00:17:49.414
When it was torn, that divide, that took the layers away.
00:17:49.414 --> 00:17:54.119
That took all the preparation to go into the holy of holies.
00:17:54.119 --> 00:17:57.956
That wasn't just a dramatic symbol.
00:17:57.956 --> 00:18:00.159
That was a change of life right there.
00:18:00.159 --> 00:18:03.529
That was the god doing away with the old covenant
00:18:03.529 --> 00:18:06.698
And saying, "i've got a new covenant.
00:18:06.698 --> 00:18:08.267
I want to come, and i want to dwell on the inside of you."
00:18:08.267 --> 00:18:11.603
That's why we can come boldly.
00:18:11.603 --> 00:18:14.306
Jesus died so that we can come boldly as children of god,
00:18:14.306 --> 00:18:19.611
Sons and daughters of god, to the throne room
00:18:20.546 --> 00:18:22.648
And have god all to ourselves (laughs).
00:18:22.648 --> 00:18:25.250
We can have him face to face with god, and so.
00:18:25.250 --> 00:18:30.322
- he paid it so that we can come boldly before his throne.
00:18:31.490 --> 00:18:33.692
And i love that because it took the way that separation
00:18:33.692 --> 00:18:36.929
And it took us back to the garden of eden
00:18:36.929 --> 00:18:39.064
Where he went face to face with people
00:18:39.064 --> 00:18:41.433
And he talked with adam and eve on that one and one,
00:18:41.433 --> 00:18:45.204
And he walked with them and he talked with them.
00:18:45.204 --> 00:18:48.073
That's what god wants to do for us.
00:18:48.073 --> 00:18:50.175
- and i think sometimes, even believers can get confused,
00:18:51.343 --> 00:18:54.546
Like when we're saying presence of god, presence of god,
00:18:54.546 --> 00:18:57.616
And, like, why this is such a big deal.
00:18:57.616 --> 00:18:59.851
Because sometimes the thought we may have in our heads is,
00:18:59.851 --> 00:19:02.487
Well, isn't god everywhere?
00:19:02.487 --> 00:19:04.089
So this concept that jesus had to make a way
00:19:04.089 --> 00:19:07.593
To be with us, aren't we?
00:19:07.593 --> 00:19:08.961
You know, like, aren't we already?
00:19:08.961 --> 00:19:10.495
And yes, god is everywhere, but he's also somewhere.
00:19:10.495 --> 00:19:13.498
- yes. right.
00:19:13.498 --> 00:19:14.900
And just as much as, yes, god is in the skies,
00:19:14.900 --> 00:19:18.070
In every cell.
00:19:18.070 --> 00:19:18.971
Yes, he's universal,
00:19:18.971 --> 00:19:20.839
But when we're talking about the presence of god,
00:19:20.839 --> 00:19:24.176
It's the relationally accessible part of god.
00:19:24.176 --> 00:19:27.980
It's the fact that yes, he's everywhere,
00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:31.149
But he also teaches, guides, protects.
00:19:31.149 --> 00:19:33.585
He speaks to us.
00:19:33.585 --> 00:19:35.654
It's like, okay,
00:19:35.654 --> 00:19:37.356
So there is this very present version of god
00:19:37.356 --> 00:19:42.427
That he wants to offer us, you know?
00:19:43.195 --> 00:19:46.832
And i think sometimes as believers, we assume
00:19:46.832 --> 00:19:49.668
That the presence of god
00:19:49.668 --> 00:19:51.036
And intimacy with him is a mood booster,
00:19:51.036 --> 00:19:53.739
And that if we are intimate with the lord,
00:19:53.739 --> 00:19:56.575
Then we're gonna feel the fuzzies,
00:19:56.575 --> 00:19:58.443
And that we're gonna be happy when, you know.
00:19:58.443 --> 00:20:00.512
But actually, when you look at all these places in scripture
00:20:00.512 --> 00:20:04.950
Where people are having a deeper revelation of who god is,
00:20:04.950 --> 00:20:08.687
It wasn't like, oh my goodness, kumbaya.
00:20:08.687 --> 00:20:11.189
Like, you know, it was-
00:20:11.189 --> 00:20:12.224
- emotional.
00:20:12.224 --> 00:20:13.258
- right - some hard times, too.
00:20:13.258 --> 00:20:14.259
Isaiah was like, "woe is me."
00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:16.228
Peter was saying, "go away from me, lord, i'm a sinner."
00:20:16.228 --> 00:20:21.066
You know, these were not comfortable,
00:20:21.066 --> 00:20:23.769
Happy-go-lucky experiences, right?
00:20:23.769 --> 00:20:27.306
Sometimes, when we're growing an intimacy
00:20:27.306 --> 00:20:30.142
With the lord, it's not gonna feel great.
00:20:30.142 --> 00:20:33.879
It's not gonna necessarily be a dopamine high.
00:20:33.879 --> 00:20:36.882
Sometimes, it's challenging.
00:20:36.882 --> 00:20:38.684
Sometimes, it's frustrating.
00:20:38.684 --> 00:20:40.652
But the last thing we wanna do is assume just
00:20:40.652 --> 00:20:43.689
Because it's not this like dopamine-filled,
00:20:43.689 --> 00:20:48.126
Adrenaline high moment that it's not intimacy with the lord.
00:20:48.126 --> 00:20:52.998
That intimacy is already given to us.
00:20:52.998 --> 00:20:55.667
The chance for it is given to us by the blood of jesus.
00:20:55.667 --> 00:20:59.938
- true intimacy with god is something way
00:20:59.938 --> 00:21:02.574
Beyond just the feeling you sometimes get.
00:21:02.574 --> 00:21:04.576
You know, maybe you're in in church, you're at a conference,
00:21:04.576 --> 00:21:07.412
And the worship's phenomenal
00:21:07.412 --> 00:21:08.947
And you just feel like it's just this incredible experience.
00:21:08.947 --> 00:21:12.651
True intimacy with god means we are allowing god
00:21:12.651 --> 00:21:15.854
To see into us.
00:21:15.854 --> 00:21:17.522
So intimacy means into me, see.
00:21:17.522 --> 00:21:20.726
And i think that when you come to a place of recognizing
00:21:20.726 --> 00:21:23.395
That you get to be transparent with the lord.
00:21:23.395 --> 00:21:25.931
You know, when i was younger, i felt like i had to kind
00:21:25.931 --> 00:21:28.166
Of present my best self to the lord.
00:21:28.166 --> 00:21:30.702
And it was only when my life kind of crashed
00:21:30.702 --> 00:21:32.704
And i fell apart that i discovered how
00:21:32.704 --> 00:21:35.607
Deeply loved i am.
00:21:35.607 --> 00:21:37.976
And in the midst of my brokenness,
00:21:38.744 --> 00:21:39.978
I found a greater intimacy with the lord.
00:21:39.978 --> 00:21:41.780
He wants to know all of you.
00:21:41.780 --> 00:21:44.282
- well, in a really recent picture of
00:21:44.282 --> 00:21:46.785
That is like when your grandson was running around, right?
00:21:46.785 --> 00:21:48.854
Like, can you imagine if he was just like, oh,
00:21:48.854 --> 00:21:51.556
Not boldly coming to you?
00:21:51.556 --> 00:21:52.858
He's like, "oh no, i don't know, can i?"
00:21:52.858 --> 00:21:55.160
You know, you can tell the relationship
00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:56.528
Because you like come, you know,
00:21:56.528 --> 00:21:59.398
And him running up to you, you know?
00:21:59.398 --> 00:22:01.433
And so that's the picture i think
00:22:01.433 --> 00:22:04.169
That we failed to see god through that lens,
00:22:04.169 --> 00:22:07.272
That accessibility.
00:22:07.272 --> 00:22:08.807
And it's, i can't imagine, okay, if he fell and he is crying
00:22:08.807 --> 00:22:11.710
And he's, you know, upset that all of a sudden,
00:22:11.710 --> 00:22:15.013
He would be like, "no, no, don't come to me now", you know?
00:22:15.013 --> 00:22:18.016
Would you ever want him to push away?
00:22:18.016 --> 00:22:19.618
Like, i just think about my kids and we would never do that.
00:22:19.618 --> 00:22:23.155
But we somehow have slipped it to believe that the god
00:22:23.155 --> 00:22:26.658
Who created us so specifically for this time,
00:22:26.658 --> 00:22:29.628
For this season, for such a time as this would say,
00:22:29.628 --> 00:22:32.230
"not right now.", right?
00:22:32.230 --> 00:22:34.132
- that's so good.
00:22:34.132 --> 00:22:35.534
That's so good because that's not his character.
00:22:35.534 --> 00:22:37.135
- absolutely not.
00:22:37.135 --> 00:22:38.403
- and it's, as you were actually talking, faith,
00:22:38.403 --> 00:22:39.638
About this idea of the presence of god
00:22:39.638 --> 00:22:41.006
And what does that mean?
00:22:41.006 --> 00:22:42.274
I had this memory of a time with my son.
00:22:42.274 --> 00:22:44.643
He was probably maybe four.
00:22:44.643 --> 00:22:45.877
He's 16 now, but he was like four.
00:22:45.877 --> 00:22:47.579
And we were driving in my car.
00:22:47.579 --> 00:22:49.481
He, at the time, was like talking incessantly.
00:22:49.481 --> 00:22:51.483
He would talk, talk.
00:22:51.483 --> 00:22:52.884
Like, he would just talk to hear himself talk.
00:22:52.884 --> 00:22:55.086
And you know, as a mom, you just gotta get to a place
00:22:55.086 --> 00:22:57.823
Where you're like, i just need quiet.
00:22:57.823 --> 00:23:00.125
So i would let him talk while i'm driving.
00:23:00.125 --> 00:23:02.160
And i wasn't really paying him attention
00:23:02.160 --> 00:23:03.395
'cause he was just talking incessantly.
00:23:03.395 --> 00:23:04.830
I remember one time he said something to the effect
00:23:04.830 --> 00:23:07.632
Of, mom, are you there?
00:23:07.632 --> 00:23:09.734
And it was interesting
00:23:09.734 --> 00:23:12.003
Because, of course, i was physically there.
00:23:12.003 --> 00:23:13.572
- yeah. - yeah.
00:23:13.572 --> 00:23:14.773
- like he was in my presence.
00:23:14.773 --> 00:23:16.208
I was physically there,
00:23:16.208 --> 00:23:18.310
But the intimacy wasn't there because he didn't feel seen.
00:23:18.310 --> 00:23:22.514
He didn't feel heard.
00:23:22.514 --> 00:23:24.149
And for me, when i think about the difference
00:23:24.149 --> 00:23:26.551
Between the presence of god and intimacy with god, yes,
00:23:26.551 --> 00:23:28.987
He's on...
00:23:28.987 --> 00:23:30.255
- present, he's always here.
00:23:30.856 --> 00:23:32.090
But intimacy is actually being seen by god,
00:23:32.090 --> 00:23:34.226
Being known by god, spending time with him,
00:23:34.226 --> 00:23:37.195
Bringing your deepest, darkest concerns to him.
00:23:37.195 --> 00:23:41.833
- there's different levels to knowing god.
00:23:41.833 --> 00:23:44.402
You can know about him
00:23:44.402 --> 00:23:46.104
And you could know him in an experiential level.
00:23:46.104 --> 00:23:50.609
And we are called to grow, not just in information,
00:23:50.609 --> 00:23:55.180
But in experiential knowledge of the lord.
00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:58.083
And that's revelation.
00:23:58.083 --> 00:23:59.618
Information could come from anyone,
00:23:59.618 --> 00:24:01.286
But revelation comes from the holy spirit.
00:24:01.286 --> 00:24:03.755
- i remember, this was a few years ago,
00:24:04.589 --> 00:24:06.558
I had a situation where i was invited
00:24:06.558 --> 00:24:08.593
To go on a trip to support a friend
00:24:08.593 --> 00:24:10.629
Who was in like a really big broadway show.
00:24:10.629 --> 00:24:12.864
I had already planned to go to the show.
00:24:12.864 --> 00:24:14.366
So when i was invited with these other friends to go,
00:24:14.366 --> 00:24:16.968
I was just like, "cool."
00:24:16.968 --> 00:24:18.470
So i told my friend, "hey, i'm still gonna be there."
00:24:18.470 --> 00:24:20.238
I mentioned, "yeah, i'm gonna be there
00:24:20.238 --> 00:24:21.339
With a couple other people."
00:24:21.339 --> 00:24:22.674
She said, "oh, i didn't know they were coming.
00:24:22.674 --> 00:24:25.243
They didn't even tell me." right?
00:24:25.243 --> 00:24:26.444
And i was just like, "that's weird."
00:24:26.444 --> 00:24:27.846
I was like, "oh, i wonder if this was a surprise.
00:24:27.846 --> 00:24:30.482
Oops."
00:24:30.482 --> 00:24:31.650
Then one of the people calls me, right?
00:24:31.650 --> 00:24:33.718
They call me and they're just like,
00:24:33.718 --> 00:24:35.153
'cause i had said in the text thread, i was just like,
00:24:35.153 --> 00:24:36.955
"oh my gosh, she's so excited.
00:24:36.955 --> 00:24:38.223
There's gonna be like this after party.
00:24:38.223 --> 00:24:39.357
We're gonna go and this and that."
00:24:39.357 --> 00:24:40.892
And they were just like, "did you tell her that we're?"
00:24:40.892 --> 00:24:44.129
And so then they called me
00:24:44.129 --> 00:24:45.830
And they were like, "did you tell her?"
00:24:45.830 --> 00:24:47.832
And i felt so bad. and this is confession.
00:24:47.832 --> 00:24:50.368
This is confession.
00:24:50.368 --> 00:24:51.336
I felt so bad that i was like,
00:24:51.336 --> 00:24:53.171
"no, i did not" (all laughing)
00:24:53.171 --> 00:24:57.342
Because i knew what it was like to have a trip ruined.
00:24:57.342 --> 00:25:00.946
I wanted to surprise my husband
00:25:00.946 --> 00:25:02.981
With an anniversary trip one year.
00:25:02.981 --> 00:25:04.583
And somehow the hotel contacted him
00:25:04.583 --> 00:25:06.518
And so he knew about the trip.
00:25:06.518 --> 00:25:07.519
And i remember that feeling
00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:09.187
Of just like the surprise is ruined.
00:25:09.187 --> 00:25:10.655
So i was like, "no, i didn't say anything at all."
00:25:10.655 --> 00:25:13.058
And so we go on this trip, i'm just feeling so convicted
00:25:13.058 --> 00:25:15.460
Because i told my friend, i was like,
00:25:15.460 --> 00:25:18.396
"i think it might be a surprise, so don't say anything."
00:25:18.396 --> 00:25:20.365
And so like, i'm roping her into this thing, right?
00:25:20.365 --> 00:25:22.701
And i remember afterwards, i felt so, so bad
00:25:22.701 --> 00:25:25.837
'cause i was like, i know they know.
00:25:25.837 --> 00:25:27.105
Like they have to know that she knows.
00:25:27.105 --> 00:25:28.873
- everyone knows. - everyone knows, right?
00:25:28.873 --> 00:25:30.609
And i'm just like, "ugh."
00:25:30.609 --> 00:25:32.377
But i remember the weight of the conviction from it.
00:25:32.377 --> 00:25:35.380
Like, i just like lied about this thing
00:25:35.380 --> 00:25:37.248
'cause i didn't wanna ruin it for them.
00:25:37.248 --> 00:25:39.017
And i remember the enemy talking to me
00:25:39.017 --> 00:25:40.585
And was like, "yeah, see, you're a liar.
00:25:40.585 --> 00:25:42.320
And see, that's why you da da da."
00:25:42.320 --> 00:25:44.155
It took weeks of just this like accusation
00:25:44.155 --> 00:25:47.392
And this whole thing.
00:25:47.392 --> 00:25:48.893
My heart was in the right place, but it was still sin
00:25:48.893 --> 00:25:50.428
'cause it was like i lied.
00:25:50.428 --> 00:25:51.896
And i remember going to god
00:25:51.896 --> 00:25:53.131
And i was just like, "i'm a liar."
00:25:53.131 --> 00:25:55.600
Like i'm just so sad.
00:25:55.600 --> 00:25:56.434
And god, he so lovingly,
00:25:56.434 --> 00:25:58.169
He said to me, "daughter, that is not who you are.
00:25:58.169 --> 00:26:01.606
That is not who you are. that's not even how i see you."
00:26:01.606 --> 00:26:04.109
And he was like, "just tell them what happened
00:26:04.109 --> 00:26:07.078
Because they probably already know but just tell them."
00:26:07.078 --> 00:26:09.014
And when i went to them and i confessed,
00:26:09.014 --> 00:26:11.316
They were all like, "girl, it's fine, like, it's okay.
00:26:11.316 --> 00:26:13.885
Like, it's all..."
00:26:13.885 --> 00:26:15.220
And that point, the enemy lost every inch
00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:17.956
Of ground he had in my life
00:26:17.956 --> 00:26:19.724
Because number one, i knew that i was loved by god.
00:26:19.724 --> 00:26:22.327
And number two, i was no longer living
00:26:22.327 --> 00:26:24.129
Under the cloud of that act.
00:26:24.129 --> 00:26:27.032
And i say this because there are probably people watching
00:26:27.032 --> 00:26:29.701
Who you're feeling shame
00:26:29.701 --> 00:26:31.136
Or maybe you're even feeling guilt about something
00:26:31.136 --> 00:26:32.637
And you don't wanna go to god about it
00:26:32.637 --> 00:26:34.105
'cause you feel so bad about it.
00:26:34.105 --> 00:26:35.807
Please know that is a lie of the enemy.
00:26:35.807 --> 00:26:38.677
Everything you've done, there's nothing you've done
00:26:38.677 --> 00:26:40.812
That's gonna catch god off guard
00:26:40.812 --> 00:26:42.013
Where he's like, "you did what?"
00:26:42.013 --> 00:26:43.014
- shame thrives in silence.
00:26:43.014 --> 00:26:45.050
- you did what?
00:26:45.050 --> 00:26:46.217
- there's something about shame
00:26:46.217 --> 00:26:47.452
That just makes you want to back away.
00:26:47.452 --> 00:26:49.421
But that's the joy and the beauty of repentance.
00:26:49.421 --> 00:26:52.657
I used to think of repentance
00:26:53.291 --> 00:26:54.826
As a kind of (grunting) word
00:26:54.826 --> 00:26:56.995
As opposed to this beautiful invitation.
00:26:56.995 --> 00:26:58.963
- yes. - it's freedom.
00:26:58.963 --> 00:27:00.231
- beautiful invitation to let it all go.
00:27:00.231 --> 00:27:01.733
- let it go. - yeah.
00:27:01.733 --> 00:27:03.668
Because shame needs silence for it.
00:27:03.668 --> 00:27:06.571
That's oxygen to it.
00:27:06.571 --> 00:27:07.906
I think that's why scripture says,
00:27:07.906 --> 00:27:09.074
"confess your sins one to another
00:27:09.074 --> 00:27:10.642
And pray for each other that you might be healed."
00:27:10.642 --> 00:27:13.812
- when shame creeps in, we have to run toward god.
00:27:13.812 --> 00:27:16.381
And here's the thing, shame is a really terrible thing
00:27:16.381 --> 00:27:20.018
Because it is a counterfeit to conviction.
00:27:20.018 --> 00:27:23.488
Now, conviction comes from god
00:27:23.488 --> 00:27:25.056
Because it allows us to address what is wrong
00:27:25.056 --> 00:27:27.892
And change and grow.
00:27:27.892 --> 00:27:29.561
Shame is the enemy's counterfeit keeping us in this space
00:27:29.561 --> 00:27:33.331
Where we can't actually do anything about it.
00:27:33.331 --> 00:27:35.333
There's no action.
00:27:35.333 --> 00:27:36.835
And so we can't actually grow 'cause we lock ourselves
00:27:36.835 --> 00:27:40.805
Or we allow ourselves to be locked in a place
00:27:40.805 --> 00:27:43.141
That doesn't allow forgiveness
00:27:43.141 --> 00:27:45.543
To actually overwhelm us and take care of us.
00:27:45.543 --> 00:27:48.279
So don't lock yourself in that.
00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:50.548
Allow yourself to feel it and then go, "okay, what's next?"
00:27:50.548 --> 00:27:54.486
- can you imagine what it would've been like
00:27:55.420 --> 00:27:56.921
That day in the temple if there were priests in there,
00:27:56.921 --> 00:27:59.824
Whoever was in there, in this place
00:27:59.824 --> 00:28:01.793
That they've been told,
00:28:01.793 --> 00:28:03.495
"you can't go there and you can't do..."
00:28:03.495 --> 00:28:05.330
And suddenly, i mean, it's the same time as an earthquake
00:28:05.330 --> 00:28:08.566
And this text--
00:28:08.566 --> 00:28:09.667
- it's open to you now.
00:28:09.667 --> 00:28:11.136
- i mean, i can't imagine
00:28:11.136 --> 00:28:13.671
What that moment must have been like.
00:28:13.671 --> 00:28:15.740
And you saying it's your favorite part,
00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:18.009
It absolutely is.
00:28:18.009 --> 00:28:19.177
It is absolutely life changing.
00:28:19.177 --> 00:28:22.213
- well, it probably caused so much fear
00:28:22.213 --> 00:28:25.183
In the priests and stuff, going,
00:28:25.183 --> 00:28:27.018
"the presence is loose,"
00:28:27.018 --> 00:28:29.053
What are we gonna do?
00:28:29.053 --> 00:28:30.355
- what are we gonna do now?
00:28:30.955 --> 00:28:31.990
- [panelist] wow.
00:28:31.990 --> 00:28:33.158
Because what's fascinating about that,
00:28:33.158 --> 00:28:34.092
Now that you're even saying it,
00:28:34.092 --> 00:28:35.326
And i hadn't thought about this before,
00:28:35.326 --> 00:28:36.461
But what's fascinating is imagine
00:28:36.461 --> 00:28:37.796
What would've happened if that didn't happen,
00:28:37.796 --> 00:28:40.431
If the veil would not have been torn.
00:28:40.431 --> 00:28:42.167
Like, this whole thing happens,
00:28:42.167 --> 00:28:43.568
The tabernacle stays intact,
00:28:43.568 --> 00:28:45.336
The curtains are still in place,
00:28:45.336 --> 00:28:47.105
And the people still are physically separated.
00:28:47.105 --> 00:28:49.908
Jesus did, the work is done.
00:28:49.908 --> 00:28:51.810
Honestly, i believe that is how
00:28:51.810 --> 00:28:54.312
So many religious systems are.
00:28:54.312 --> 00:28:56.214
It's like, god is over here,
00:28:56.214 --> 00:28:58.316
But you have to do all this stuff.
00:28:58.316 --> 00:28:59.884
Do all this stuff. you gotta bring sacrifices.
00:28:59.884 --> 00:29:01.619
You gotta pray this many times you gotta do duh duh duh.
00:29:01.619 --> 00:29:03.388
And if you do that enough, maybe, hopefully-
00:29:03.388 --> 00:29:05.857
- right. - yeah.
00:29:05.857 --> 00:29:07.025
- you won't even know until you die.
00:29:07.025 --> 00:29:08.459
There's no assurance.
00:29:08.459 --> 00:29:09.627
Jesus was like,
00:29:09.627 --> 00:29:11.029
"i'm literally destroying this whole system."
00:29:11.029 --> 00:29:13.364
And he did, didn't he?
00:29:13.364 --> 00:29:14.632
- yeah.
00:29:14.632 --> 00:29:15.834
He destroyed the temple.
00:29:15.834 --> 00:29:16.701
Completely done, gone.
00:29:16.701 --> 00:29:19.370
Why?
00:29:19.370 --> 00:29:20.939
Because now we are the temples of the holy spirit spirit.
00:29:20.939 --> 00:29:23.174
We are the in-dweller, god indwells the power
00:29:23.174 --> 00:29:28.112
That would've killed somebody at one time lives
00:29:28.112 --> 00:29:31.015
On the inside that raised jesus from the dead.
00:29:31.015 --> 00:29:33.718
- so before jesus died on the cross for us
00:29:34.619 --> 00:29:38.089
And rose again before the holy spirit was given to us
00:29:38.089 --> 00:29:40.291
As an advocate, as an helper,
00:29:40.291 --> 00:29:41.960
There was a temple in jerusalem.
00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:44.596
And that is where people went to experience
00:29:44.596 --> 00:29:47.465
Or to ask, or to be in relationship with god.
00:29:47.465 --> 00:29:50.668
We are now the temple, that changed,
00:29:50.668 --> 00:29:52.337
So our bodies, like our souls, we are the temple.
00:29:52.337 --> 00:29:55.039
And so the holy spirit is with us all the time.
00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:58.243
We carry him wherever we go,
00:29:58.243 --> 00:29:59.611
Not because we're carriers as much as that,
00:29:59.611 --> 00:30:01.679
He's just with us.
00:30:01.679 --> 00:30:03.181
We are in created in his image
00:30:03.181 --> 00:30:05.583
So we are bearing that, and we are never alone.
00:30:05.583 --> 00:30:09.954
- i love how you were saying he destroyed the system.
00:30:10.989 --> 00:30:14.959
- because it just, yes.
00:30:14.959 --> 00:30:17.028
We tend to create systems of approaching god.
00:30:17.028 --> 00:30:22.233
- right.
00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:23.935
- and if we do not follow this system, in a way,
00:30:23.935 --> 00:30:26.404
We feel as though we are disqualified.
00:30:26.404 --> 00:30:28.339
And honestly, i see even the most seasoned
00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:30.909
Of christians fall into this self-made system.
00:30:30.909 --> 00:30:34.913
You know, because i'm struggling with my mental health,
00:30:34.913 --> 00:30:38.082
I guess i'm not really with god, you know,
00:30:38.082 --> 00:30:39.684
Just because there's chaos in my home,
00:30:39.684 --> 00:30:42.387
I guess i'm not with god.
00:30:42.387 --> 00:30:43.888
You know, we create these systems of being able
00:30:43.888 --> 00:30:47.158
To qualify ourselves.
00:30:47.158 --> 00:30:49.227
- oh boy.
00:30:49.227 --> 00:30:50.061
- to approach god.
00:30:50.061 --> 00:30:51.596
And one of my favorite details in the bible is, you know,
00:30:51.596 --> 00:30:55.333
When god dwells with humankind,
00:30:55.333 --> 00:30:58.369
At first it's in the garden of eden.
00:30:58.369 --> 00:31:00.705
And that's where god is walking in the cool of the day.
00:31:00.705 --> 00:31:03.474
And you know this, it's this perfect communion.
00:31:03.474 --> 00:31:06.544
But the next time you see god amongst the people,
00:31:06.544 --> 00:31:11.516
The presence of god amongst the people is actually
00:31:11.516 --> 00:31:13.618
In the wilderness where there's a tabernacle.
00:31:13.618 --> 00:31:16.821
And i think sometimes we think
00:31:16.821 --> 00:31:19.190
That because we are in a wilderness season,
00:31:19.190 --> 00:31:21.793
- god's not there.
00:31:21.793 --> 00:31:23.328
- that we are not walking in friendship with the lord.
00:31:23.328 --> 00:31:25.096
But i wonder if the gift of the wilderness
00:31:25.096 --> 00:31:28.666
Was for humankind to be able to go back
00:31:28.666 --> 00:31:31.102
To what they were purposed for.
00:31:31.102 --> 00:31:32.937
Which is friendship with god.
00:31:32.937 --> 00:31:34.272
- knowing that god is present in the silence.
00:31:34.272 --> 00:31:36.774
- yes.
00:31:36.774 --> 00:31:37.742
- he's present in the routine.
00:31:37.742 --> 00:31:39.077
He's present in the suffering.
00:31:39.077 --> 00:31:41.179
- yes.
00:31:41.179 --> 00:31:42.480
- all that to create the intimacy with god.
00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:45.083
- and i feel like the wilderness
00:31:45.083 --> 00:31:46.484
Was so much about teaching total dependence on god.
00:31:46.484 --> 00:31:50.755
And the faithfulness of god.
00:31:50.755 --> 00:31:52.924
When they didn't have water, he provided it.
00:31:52.924 --> 00:31:55.660
When they didn't have food, he provided it.
00:31:55.660 --> 00:31:58.029
And he was trying to teach them that i see you.
00:31:58.029 --> 00:32:00.798
That's again, just a form of intimacy
00:32:00.798 --> 00:32:02.800
Where he's like, no, i see you.
00:32:02.800 --> 00:32:04.002
I see your needs.
00:32:04.002 --> 00:32:05.169
As you were speaking, faith just stuck
00:32:05.169 --> 00:32:07.538
With me, is when we talk about intimacy, jesus is saying,
00:32:07.538 --> 00:32:11.009
Whatever you're carrying, whatever it is,
00:32:11.009 --> 00:32:13.277
If it is mental challenge, if it's anger, if it's lack,
00:32:13.277 --> 00:32:17.015
If it's anxiety, whatever it is, he promises.
00:32:17.015 --> 00:32:19.250
Matthew 11:28, "come to me; all you who are weary
00:32:19.250 --> 00:32:23.021
And burdened, and i will give you rest.
00:32:23.021 --> 00:32:25.656
Take my yoke upon you.
00:32:25.656 --> 00:32:26.791
Learn from me,
00:32:26.791 --> 00:32:27.959
For i am gentle and humble and hard,
00:32:27.959 --> 00:32:29.260
And you will find rest for your souls,
00:32:29.260 --> 00:32:31.462
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
00:32:31.462 --> 00:32:33.331
He said, "come to me."
00:32:33.331 --> 00:32:36.000
- that's part of tearing the veil.
00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:38.236
- right?
00:32:38.236 --> 00:32:39.070
- you can come to me.
00:32:39.070 --> 00:32:40.304
You don't have to have an intermediary
00:32:40.304 --> 00:32:41.572
Or an intercessor, like you can come to me,
00:32:41.572 --> 00:32:43.608
Whatever you're carrying, don't pick up the phone
00:32:43.608 --> 00:32:45.610
And call somebody who can't help you.
00:32:45.610 --> 00:32:47.111
- i'm right here.
00:32:47.111 --> 00:32:48.246
- don't go on social media and post about it.
00:32:49.147 --> 00:32:50.248
Come to me.
00:32:50.248 --> 00:32:51.849
- say that again.
00:32:51.849 --> 00:32:53.451
(all laughing)
00:32:53.451 --> 00:32:54.485
- say that again.
00:32:54.485 --> 00:32:55.686
- you know, practicing god's presence
00:32:55.686 --> 00:32:57.088
Isn't this mystical thing that we do.
00:32:57.088 --> 00:32:59.857
It's actually an intentional awareness
00:32:59.857 --> 00:33:03.227
Of god's presence being with me.
00:33:03.227 --> 00:33:05.329
That means that when i am doing my routine,
00:33:05.329 --> 00:33:09.100
I'm in the mundane of life,
00:33:09.100 --> 00:33:11.469
I am in quiet, i'm in still,
00:33:11.469 --> 00:33:16.207
Stillness of my life,
00:33:16.207 --> 00:33:18.509
Or in the emotional seasons of my life,
00:33:19.377 --> 00:33:22.280
Whatever it is, that god is with me.
00:33:22.280 --> 00:33:26.284
First of all, we have a promise.
00:33:26.918 --> 00:33:28.419
He said, "i'll never leave you."
00:33:28.419 --> 00:33:30.288
- and i'll never forsake you.
00:33:30.922 --> 00:33:32.256
That is a promise from god.
00:33:32.256 --> 00:33:34.525
That's all you need to stand on,
00:33:34.525 --> 00:33:36.794
That i'll never leave you lonely.
00:33:36.794 --> 00:33:38.896
I'll never leave you alone.
00:33:38.896 --> 00:33:40.832
Fear not, be of good courage.
00:33:40.832 --> 00:33:43.000
I am with you always, even until the end of the world.
00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:47.905
That is a game changer for us, folks.
00:33:47.905 --> 00:33:50.308
So just dwelling on that, knowing that i'm never alone,
00:33:50.308 --> 00:33:53.644
Jesus is always with me.
00:33:53.644 --> 00:33:55.413
The holy spirit indwells my innermost being,
00:33:55.413 --> 00:33:59.584
And so i don't have to be alone.
00:33:59.584 --> 00:34:02.120
I know he is with me.
00:34:02.120 --> 00:34:03.421
And so practicing that, becoming aware of that,
00:34:03.421 --> 00:34:06.390
Changing my perspective of, "i'm in this all by myself,
00:34:06.390 --> 00:34:10.027
I'm in this thing, i'm in trouble."
00:34:10.027 --> 00:34:11.662
No, you're not. god is with you.
00:34:11.662 --> 00:34:13.698
- you know, it's interesting too, because you know,
00:34:14.732 --> 00:34:16.134
You're saying, laurie, you know,
00:34:16.134 --> 00:34:17.668
We're now the temple, right?
00:34:17.668 --> 00:34:19.103
And so when i was just thinking, well, yeah.
00:34:19.103 --> 00:34:22.006
So if we're hiding ourselves in shame,
00:34:22.006 --> 00:34:23.674
Are we hiding the temple then?
00:34:23.674 --> 00:34:24.942
- woo, woo!
00:34:24.942 --> 00:34:26.410
- are we hiding what god-
00:34:26.410 --> 00:34:27.979
- that's a deep one. - wanted to actually
00:34:27.979 --> 00:34:29.714
Be present in our spaces.
00:34:29.714 --> 00:34:32.717
- that's a deep one.
00:34:32.717 --> 00:34:34.285
- we have to live out
00:34:34.285 --> 00:34:35.653
What our calling is, and to live presently in that,
00:34:35.653 --> 00:34:40.458
Not in pride, right, but in the humility
00:34:41.325 --> 00:34:42.960
That god has chosen us to be that temple now.
00:34:42.960 --> 00:34:46.731
(upbeat music)
00:34:47.098 --> 00:34:48.199
- [announcer] join the conversation
00:34:48.199 --> 00:34:49.333
On our "better together" youtube channel.
00:34:49.333 --> 00:34:51.335
Subscribe today and never miss a new upload.
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00:34:54.999 --> 00:34:56.008
(gentle music)
00:34:56.375 --> 00:35:01.747
- if you ever feel like you're unworthy to come to god,
00:35:02.814 --> 00:35:05.284
You're probably in a perfect place to come to god,
00:35:05.284 --> 00:35:08.287
Because honestly, whenever we think
00:35:08.287 --> 00:35:09.655
We've got it all together,
00:35:09.655 --> 00:35:11.023
We've kind of missed the point of the gospel.
00:35:11.023 --> 00:35:13.125
Jesus wouldn't have had to die
00:35:13.125 --> 00:35:14.893
If we were able to get our act together.
00:35:14.893 --> 00:35:17.062
It's the fact that we fall down every single day,
00:35:17.062 --> 00:35:19.364
And yet, he picks us up.
00:35:19.364 --> 00:35:20.999
So if you feel on your worst days, i used to say that
00:35:20.999 --> 00:35:23.502
To my son when he was just a wee boy,
00:35:23.502 --> 00:35:25.737
The bigger the mess, the faster you run home.
00:35:25.737 --> 00:35:28.340
The same with the father.
00:35:28.340 --> 00:35:29.608
The bigger the mess, the faster you run home.
00:35:29.608 --> 00:35:33.145
♪ ooh, ooh
00:35:33.478 --> 00:35:36.548
- you know, i'm curious, i have a question for you all.
00:35:36.548 --> 00:35:38.116
What would you say is the most profound encounter
00:35:38.116 --> 00:35:40.652
That you've had with god, that actually taught you
00:35:40.652 --> 00:35:44.690
What it means to have intimacy with god,
00:35:44.690 --> 00:35:46.291
Beyond just what the word says,
00:35:46.291 --> 00:35:48.126
Beyond just what you've heard?
00:35:48.126 --> 00:35:49.995
What has your encounter been
00:35:49.995 --> 00:35:52.030
Where you actually realize, god is with me?
00:35:52.030 --> 00:35:55.467
- geez.
00:35:55.467 --> 00:35:56.735
- i remember when i was on a trip to panama,
00:35:56.735 --> 00:35:59.605
And we were in this village,
00:35:59.605 --> 00:36:03.775
It was like on top of what seemed like a mountain.
00:36:03.775 --> 00:36:07.946
It took a lot to get to this place,
00:36:07.946 --> 00:36:10.449
But it felt like it was just this open heaven,
00:36:10.449 --> 00:36:14.853
Like it was heaven on earth.
00:36:14.853 --> 00:36:17.389
The worship was so exuberant and extravagant
00:36:17.389 --> 00:36:21.260
And anointed and powerful.
00:36:21.260 --> 00:36:23.562
And you know, i brought a medical team there,
00:36:23.562 --> 00:36:26.064
And i was with my people.
00:36:26.064 --> 00:36:27.633
And worship service started, it was like for the first hour,
00:36:27.633 --> 00:36:31.503
Everyone was just so into it.
00:36:31.503 --> 00:36:33.338
And up until this point, you know, i was trying
00:36:33.338 --> 00:36:36.141
To be everything that i felt like god wanted me to be.
00:36:36.141 --> 00:36:39.645
I wanted to be the perfect daughter. you know?
00:36:39.645 --> 00:36:42.214
So i was willing to sacrifice,
00:36:42.214 --> 00:36:45.651
Do all the things, ultimate martha energy.
00:36:45.651 --> 00:36:48.620
You know, i was very busy. (others laugh)
00:36:48.620 --> 00:36:50.656
If i were to be honest,
00:36:50.656 --> 00:36:52.224
I did not feel the proximity of the holy spirit, you know?
00:36:52.224 --> 00:36:56.561
So when i was there, i was very discouraged,
00:36:56.561 --> 00:36:58.430
Because everyone seemed to feel god but me.
00:36:58.430 --> 00:37:01.733
You know, everyone seemed to know his presence but me.
00:37:01.733 --> 00:37:05.470
They were dancing, crying. people were getting healed.
00:37:05.470 --> 00:37:09.341
And i felt like it was just dead air around me,
00:37:09.341 --> 00:37:12.678
Like just nothing, and i just assumed
00:37:12.678 --> 00:37:16.448
That it is because i didn't do something enough.
00:37:16.448 --> 00:37:19.518
I assumed it was because my faith was not greater.
00:37:19.518 --> 00:37:21.920
I assumed it was because
00:37:21.920 --> 00:37:23.722
Maybe i just didn't love him enough.
00:37:24.489 --> 00:37:26.491
Maybe others just loved him more.
00:37:26.491 --> 00:37:28.160
Maybe others were just more innocent. i don't know.
00:37:28.160 --> 00:37:30.662
In a way it's like, you know,
00:37:30.662 --> 00:37:32.130
You started this conversation off
00:37:32.130 --> 00:37:33.498
With the veil metaphor, right?
00:37:33.498 --> 00:37:35.000
Oh, not the metaphor, what actually happened,
00:37:35.000 --> 00:37:37.102
But it was as if i was like putting up the veil,
00:37:37.102 --> 00:37:39.304
Like, again, you know?
00:37:39.304 --> 00:37:41.573
And just assuming that god was just far from me.
00:37:41.573 --> 00:37:45.544
And after about like the second to third hour,
00:37:45.544 --> 00:37:47.813
I was like, "okay, come on, god,"
00:37:47.813 --> 00:37:49.247
Like, you know, everyone just, we're still like going.
00:37:49.247 --> 00:37:52.284
And i was like, "okay, come on."
00:37:52.284 --> 00:37:53.985
You know, like, this is getting ridiculous.
00:37:53.985 --> 00:37:55.721
And so i remember taking a step back, and got on my knees,
00:37:55.721 --> 00:38:01.026
And i prayed the most honest prayer, i think,
00:38:01.960 --> 00:38:03.762
Of my life to that point, which was,
00:38:03.762 --> 00:38:06.298
"i don't think i could ever be what you want me to be.
00:38:06.298 --> 00:38:09.334
I'm gonna try, but i don't think i could ever be perfect.
00:38:10.469 --> 00:38:15.374
I don't think i could ever be who you envision me to be,"
00:38:16.541 --> 00:38:19.244
Like, i know i need to be this sanctified,
00:38:19.244 --> 00:38:23.915
Yielded, pure, passionate, praying all the time, person.
00:38:23.915 --> 00:38:29.521
- i don't think i could ever be her, but i love you.
00:38:30.589 --> 00:38:32.424
But i don't know if that's enough.
00:38:32.424 --> 00:38:34.659
And i remember in that moment
00:38:34.659 --> 00:38:37.295
I felt like what felt like a blanket,
00:38:37.295 --> 00:38:39.531
Like, a weight just kind of came upon me.
00:38:39.531 --> 00:38:42.367
And even though everyone was singing and dancing,
00:38:42.367 --> 00:38:44.669
It was like as if the room got quiet,
00:38:44.669 --> 00:38:47.706
And i heard, internally, the lord call my name
00:38:47.706 --> 00:38:53.044
And say, i love you anyway and i'm gonna bless you anyway.
00:38:54.212 --> 00:38:58.283
I'm gonna protect you anyway and i'm gonna use you anyway.
00:38:59.451 --> 00:39:02.220
And i just. - yeah.
00:39:02.220 --> 00:39:06.124
- just broke.
00:39:06.124 --> 00:39:07.325
And that shifted the way i communed
00:39:07.325 --> 00:39:10.429
With the holy spirit forever.
00:39:10.429 --> 00:39:12.197
- yeah. - the fact,
00:39:12.197 --> 00:39:13.799
'cause i thought i had to earn his favor.
00:39:13.799 --> 00:39:16.268
Like, yes, i got the ticket to heaven,
00:39:16.268 --> 00:39:17.769
But i need to earn his favor. - yeah.
00:39:17.769 --> 00:39:19.871
- that i need to earn the power,
00:39:19.871 --> 00:39:21.740
That i need to earn the anointing,
00:39:21.740 --> 00:39:23.575
But realizing, oh my goodness,
00:39:23.575 --> 00:39:26.611
Every good thing i have is not because i did anything good,
00:39:26.611 --> 00:39:31.783
It's because you are good.
00:39:32.350 --> 00:39:33.218
- yes. - amen.
00:39:33.218 --> 00:39:34.119
- you know? - yes.
00:39:34.119 --> 00:39:35.320
- i don't ever wanna hear you say
00:39:36.054 --> 00:39:38.023
That you're not good enough anymore.
00:39:38.023 --> 00:39:40.659
Jesus died for you.
00:39:40.659 --> 00:39:43.361
That means something.
00:39:43.862 --> 00:39:45.664
That means something to all of us.
00:39:45.664 --> 00:39:48.166
That means that i cannot be good enough,
00:39:48.166 --> 00:39:50.869
I cannot fix my wrong, i cannot undo my bad
00:39:50.869 --> 00:39:54.773
(laurie laughing)
00:39:54.773 --> 00:39:56.875
And i can't be bad enough because jesus died for me.
00:39:56.875 --> 00:40:01.646
Jesus shed his blood for us.
00:40:01.646 --> 00:40:04.416
So don't ever say, i'm not worthy.
00:40:04.416 --> 00:40:07.919
You say jesus paid it all for me,
00:40:07.919 --> 00:40:10.922
And i will live in that victory
00:40:10.922 --> 00:40:12.591
And i will live in the moment of the cross
00:40:12.591 --> 00:40:15.527
That god paid for my victory.
00:40:15.527 --> 00:40:18.263
- to answer your question, i feel like the times i have felt
00:40:19.431 --> 00:40:23.668
And heard from god the most has been times of lament.
00:40:23.668 --> 00:40:28.073
- yeah. - and i don't,
00:40:28.073 --> 00:40:29.407
Like, the first time, i'll say i was like 20,
00:40:29.407 --> 00:40:31.676
And a boyfriend had broken up with me,
00:40:31.676 --> 00:40:34.312
And i was like, my life is over.
00:40:34.312 --> 00:40:35.847
- right. - like, in hindsight,
00:40:35.847 --> 00:40:37.616
So silly, right.
00:40:37.616 --> 00:40:38.950
But also what is silly to others in that time
00:40:38.950 --> 00:40:41.753
- it was real. - was very real for me.
00:40:41.753 --> 00:40:43.188
Very real.
00:40:43.188 --> 00:40:44.689
And i was just like, all my dreams, all my, you know,
00:40:44.689 --> 00:40:47.292
And i was crying out to god.
00:40:47.292 --> 00:40:48.660
And of course it's a time when i didn't have kids,
00:40:48.660 --> 00:40:51.062
I didn't have much, you know, i took a day off from work.
00:40:51.062 --> 00:40:53.198
And so i was just lamenting.
00:40:53.198 --> 00:40:56.034
And i didn't know it was called lamenting at the time.
00:40:56.034 --> 00:40:58.136
It was maybe just me crying over stuff, but-
00:40:58.136 --> 00:41:00.906
- grieving something that was buried.
00:41:00.906 --> 00:41:02.674
- it was very real. - yeah.
00:41:02.674 --> 00:41:04.009
- and also, it was like the longest relationship
00:41:04.009 --> 00:41:05.343
I had at that point.
00:41:05.343 --> 00:41:06.511
But i was like crying, crying, crying.
00:41:06.511 --> 00:41:08.580
And i was just like, god, why won't you talk to me?
00:41:08.580 --> 00:41:11.016
Why can't i change?
00:41:11.016 --> 00:41:12.317
And up to this point, god had never, ever,
00:41:12.317 --> 00:41:14.586
I've never heard him audibly. - mmm.
00:41:14.586 --> 00:41:16.288
- but i will tell you, it was like six hours in
00:41:16.288 --> 00:41:18.423
And i had to kind of go through the ugh.
00:41:18.423 --> 00:41:21.526
And then i heard him, which by the way, it scared me
00:41:21.526 --> 00:41:24.529
Because you're asking to hear god.
00:41:24.529 --> 00:41:26.097
- yeah. - and then when you hear it,
00:41:26.097 --> 00:41:27.399
You're like, oh, oh, did i,
00:41:27.399 --> 00:41:29.067
Did i want that, you know? (nona laughing)
00:41:29.067 --> 00:41:30.168
And i will never forget, he said,
00:41:30.168 --> 00:41:32.904
'cause i kept asking for change,
00:41:32.904 --> 00:41:34.272
And he's like, you cannot change
00:41:34.272 --> 00:41:35.907
Until the things around you change.
00:41:35.907 --> 00:41:37.442
- oof, boy. - i will never forget that.
00:41:37.442 --> 00:41:39.644
He's actually not spoken to me audibly since,
00:41:39.644 --> 00:41:42.447
My one time in life,
00:41:42.447 --> 00:41:43.648
But also i feel god and hear him
00:41:43.648 --> 00:41:46.084
In different ways now. - yeah.
00:41:46.084 --> 00:41:47.719
- and it was almost like he had to activate how he heard it.
00:41:47.719 --> 00:41:50.822
But i hear it most when i take time
00:41:50.822 --> 00:41:53.325
To be still. - yes.
00:41:53.325 --> 00:41:54.559
- i think that's why it's so important
00:41:54.559 --> 00:41:55.794
To be still and know that i'm god.
00:41:55.794 --> 00:41:56.895
Like, you actually have to sit back
00:41:56.895 --> 00:41:58.496
And say, okay, i am, again, putting you on the throne.
00:41:58.496 --> 00:42:02.400
I am, again, putting you on, you know, above me
00:42:02.400 --> 00:42:05.370
And whatever i may be saying is important
00:42:05.370 --> 00:42:07.739
Because your call of me is more important.
00:42:07.739 --> 00:42:10.375
And so i think what i'm saying here
00:42:10.375 --> 00:42:12.877
Is like, don't avoid things that feel icky.
00:42:12.877 --> 00:42:16.348
Don't avoid the hard things. - yeah.
00:42:16.348 --> 00:42:18.783
- just be willing to sit and ask god
00:42:18.783 --> 00:42:21.453
What it is that he wants you to feel and hear from that.
00:42:21.453 --> 00:42:24.556
- yeah.
00:42:24.556 --> 00:42:25.824
To your question, nona, i was thinking
00:42:25.824 --> 00:42:27.459
Of one of the most remarkable times in my life.
00:42:27.459 --> 00:42:29.861
We were in an arena event and i was just one of the speakers
00:42:29.861 --> 00:42:33.798
And you know, there were thousands of women there,
00:42:33.798 --> 00:42:36.701
But i felt so lonely and i thought,
00:42:36.701 --> 00:42:38.703
You know, lord, it's so interesting.
00:42:38.703 --> 00:42:40.605
You can be really well known and yet desperately lonely.
00:42:40.605 --> 00:42:42.841
- absolutely. - yeah.
00:42:42.841 --> 00:42:43.675
- and that's how i felt.
00:42:43.675 --> 00:42:45.043
I felt like i don't know who i am.
00:42:45.043 --> 00:42:47.412
I mean, i know i'm next up to speak,
00:42:47.412 --> 00:42:49.447
But other than that, i just feel a wee bit lost.
00:42:49.447 --> 00:42:53.318
And all the women around
00:42:53.318 --> 00:42:55.053
Were kinda, like, what you were saying,
00:42:55.053 --> 00:42:57.055
Faith that, you know, worship going on all around.
00:42:57.055 --> 00:42:59.257
But i felt, and i remember just sitting there
00:42:59.257 --> 00:43:01.326
And closing my eyes
00:43:01.326 --> 00:43:02.661
And i don't get a lot of dreams or pictures,
00:43:02.661 --> 00:43:05.764
But it was so clear.
00:43:05.764 --> 00:43:07.532
It was as if i was back in scotland,
00:43:07.532 --> 00:43:10.201
And it was like there was this old ruined castle
00:43:10.201 --> 00:43:13.505
And big front doors, and i remember walking through
00:43:13.505 --> 00:43:17.142
And there was a great room, and a throne in the middle.
00:43:17.142 --> 00:43:21.379
And i knew that it was jesus on the throne, i knew that.
00:43:21.379 --> 00:43:24.349
And there's this welcome to come in and i walked in.
00:43:24.349 --> 00:43:29.654
An invitation was simply to lay my head on his lap.
00:43:30.655 --> 00:43:33.391
And i could hear people behind me who were gonna come in.
00:43:33.391 --> 00:43:36.361
And i felt the lord raise his other hand and say, no,
00:43:36.361 --> 00:43:39.531
Stop them coming in.
00:43:39.531 --> 00:43:40.932
And the message that i got that day was, listen,
00:43:40.932 --> 00:43:43.668
Because the veil's torn,
00:43:43.668 --> 00:43:45.704
Doesn't matter if you're with one person
00:43:45.704 --> 00:43:47.338
Or a thousand people. - yeah.
00:43:47.338 --> 00:43:49.140
- i'm always here.
00:43:49.140 --> 00:43:50.508
And in those moments when you can't feel anything
00:43:50.508 --> 00:43:52.911
And you don't feel particularly spiritual,
00:43:52.911 --> 00:43:55.847
Just know you can come in and you don't even have to talk.
00:43:55.847 --> 00:43:58.016
You can rest yourself on me. - yeah.
00:43:58.016 --> 00:44:00.885
- all your weary and heavy,
00:44:00.885 --> 00:44:02.120
Lay there and i will give you rest.
00:44:02.120 --> 00:44:04.355
But i think sometimes we chase those great,
00:44:04.355 --> 00:44:06.658
Big high moments. - yes.
00:44:06.658 --> 00:44:08.393
- but what i've come to treasure in my life
00:44:08.393 --> 00:44:10.261
As really life changing
00:44:10.261 --> 00:44:11.529
Are those moments when you have no words,
00:44:11.529 --> 00:44:13.598
- yes. - but you're simply there
00:44:13.598 --> 00:44:15.233
In his presence.
00:44:15.233 --> 00:44:16.534
And then out my eyes and i'm back in the arena,
00:44:16.534 --> 00:44:18.470
But something inside me had shifted.
00:44:18.470 --> 00:44:20.772
- god is present even when he feels absent.
00:44:20.772 --> 00:44:23.608
- yeah. - faith matures when we learn
00:44:23.608 --> 00:44:25.610
To trust presence without sensation.
00:44:25.610 --> 00:44:28.346
So what are we-
00:44:28.346 --> 00:44:29.314
- to do, we're supposed to walk by faith.
00:44:30.181 --> 00:44:31.416
- that's right. - i know that god is, why?
00:44:31.416 --> 00:44:33.485
Because he says, "i will never leave you.
00:44:33.485 --> 00:44:37.722
You can never get out of my presence."
00:44:37.722 --> 00:44:39.858
David said, "whether i make my bed in hell,
00:44:39.858 --> 00:44:42.227
Whether fly to the furthest, there you are.
00:44:42.227 --> 00:44:45.163
I can never be out of the presence of the lord."
00:44:45.163 --> 00:44:47.766
So if we trust his goodness,
00:44:47.766 --> 00:44:49.467
We trust his faithfulness,
00:44:49.467 --> 00:44:51.870
We trust his love.
00:44:51.870 --> 00:44:53.471
Think of the intimacy with your husband.
00:44:53.471 --> 00:44:56.007
He doesn't always have to constantly
00:44:56.007 --> 00:44:57.642
Be telling me that he loves me,
00:44:57.642 --> 00:44:59.410
And, "i'm here for you, and i'm the,"
00:44:59.410 --> 00:45:02.046
Just that touch, just him- - he's present.
00:45:02.046 --> 00:45:04.783
- he's present.
00:45:04.783 --> 00:45:06.417
I know he's there.
00:45:06.417 --> 00:45:07.352
I know he loves me.
00:45:07.352 --> 00:45:08.720
I know he's gonna take care of me.
00:45:08.720 --> 00:45:11.222
That faith and that trust.
00:45:11.222 --> 00:45:13.024
And that's just your husband,
00:45:13.024 --> 00:45:14.425
(laughing) i mean, much less god, you know?
00:45:14.425 --> 00:45:17.162
God being there as a faithful.
00:45:17.162 --> 00:45:19.297
So in those silent moments,
00:45:19.297 --> 00:45:21.399
In those routines,
00:45:21.399 --> 00:45:23.368
The emotional thing
00:45:23.368 --> 00:45:25.570
Doesn't always have to be there,
00:45:25.570 --> 00:45:27.005
But i know that i know that i know
00:45:27.005 --> 00:45:29.440
That he never leaves me,
00:45:29.440 --> 00:45:30.942
That he's here with me,
00:45:30.942 --> 00:45:32.377
And that the greatest thing i can do right now
00:45:32.377 --> 00:45:34.813
Is to please you by walking in faith,
00:45:34.813 --> 00:45:37.348
Knowing you're here with me.
00:45:37.348 --> 00:45:38.950
(light music)
00:45:38.950 --> 00:45:39.984
- you know, sometimes,
00:45:39.984 --> 00:45:41.286
Because maybe we don't have the goosebumps,
00:45:41.286 --> 00:45:44.923
We don't have the emotional experience of god,
00:45:44.923 --> 00:45:47.358
We don't have the tears,
00:45:47.358 --> 00:45:48.893
We can feel like god is not there
00:45:48.893 --> 00:45:50.395
Simply because we don't have
00:45:50.395 --> 00:45:52.463
The emotional resonance with him.
00:45:52.463 --> 00:45:55.867
And yet god, part of his nature
00:45:55.867 --> 00:45:59.204
Is he's omnipresent.
00:45:59.204 --> 00:46:00.905
That means that he is everywhere at all times.
00:46:00.905 --> 00:46:03.842
And so whether we feel him or not,
00:46:03.842 --> 00:46:06.411
Whether we sense him or not,
00:46:06.411 --> 00:46:08.780
He is with us.
00:46:08.780 --> 00:46:10.415
Not only that, but because the holy spirit
00:46:10.415 --> 00:46:12.984
Dwells within us,
00:46:12.984 --> 00:46:14.919
He is within us,
00:46:14.919 --> 00:46:16.721
There is nowhere that we could go that god is not,
00:46:16.721 --> 00:46:19.357
He is with us at all times.
00:46:19.357 --> 00:46:21.492
And so it isn't about an emotional encounter.
00:46:21.492 --> 00:46:24.562
It really is just about understanding
00:46:24.562 --> 00:46:27.131
The nature of god.
00:46:27.131 --> 00:46:28.499
He is with us, he goes before us,
00:46:28.499 --> 00:46:30.802
He is around us, he actually is behind us.
00:46:30.802 --> 00:46:33.805
We are covered by his presence.
00:46:33.805 --> 00:46:35.640
There's nowhere you can go that he is not.
00:46:35.640 --> 00:46:38.042
This has been such an incredible conversation.
00:46:38.977 --> 00:46:40.845
And just this morning
00:46:40.845 --> 00:46:42.580
As i was praying before even coming here,
00:46:42.580 --> 00:46:44.916
The lord reminded me of something
00:46:44.916 --> 00:46:46.284
That i just wanna share as we get ready to close.
00:46:46.284 --> 00:46:49.020
About, i don't know, a year and a half, two years ago,
00:46:49.020 --> 00:46:51.823
I saw a post on social media,
00:46:51.823 --> 00:46:53.925
And a friend of mine was speaking at something.
00:46:53.925 --> 00:46:56.494
And i remember looking at that post
00:46:56.494 --> 00:46:57.896
And it was like a fleeting thing
00:46:57.896 --> 00:46:59.197
Where i was like, "wow, that's really cool.
00:46:59.197 --> 00:47:00.231
I would've loved to do that."
00:47:00.231 --> 00:47:01.499
And i completely forgot about it,
00:47:01.499 --> 00:47:03.368
'cause it was one of those fleeting things, right?
00:47:03.368 --> 00:47:05.703
As i was flying here,
00:47:05.703 --> 00:47:07.238
I got an email inviting me to speak at that thing.
00:47:07.238 --> 00:47:09.841
But because it was a fleeting thing,
00:47:09.841 --> 00:47:11.409
Like i forgot that i even wanted to do it.
00:47:11.409 --> 00:47:14.279
And this morning when i was praying,
00:47:14.279 --> 00:47:16.714
The lord brought me back to that
00:47:16.714 --> 00:47:19.117
And he said, "nona, i remember everything."
00:47:19.117 --> 00:47:23.221
He said, "i remember the desires of your heart."
00:47:23.221 --> 00:47:26.557
- that's beautiful. - and it brought me to tears,
00:47:26.557 --> 00:47:29.761
Because i realized, i was like,
00:47:29.761 --> 00:47:31.696
"even the thing that i forgot,
00:47:31.696 --> 00:47:32.964
Like it's an honor, it's amazing,
00:47:32.964 --> 00:47:34.432
But even the thing i forgot, he remembered,
00:47:34.432 --> 00:47:36.968
And he loved me so much
00:47:36.968 --> 00:47:38.703
That he found a way, two years later,
00:47:38.703 --> 00:47:40.672
To orchestrate this thing."
00:47:40.672 --> 00:47:42.840
For me, intimacy with god
00:47:42.840 --> 00:47:45.576
Is the fact that he sees me
00:47:45.576 --> 00:47:48.880
And that i see him.
00:47:48.880 --> 00:47:50.581
And i want to encourage anyone watching this
00:47:50.581 --> 00:47:52.450
Who you feel like god has either left you
00:47:52.450 --> 00:47:55.119
Or he doesn't see you,
00:47:55.119 --> 00:47:56.821
To just know that god forgets nothing.
00:47:56.821 --> 00:47:59.390
He forgets nothing.
00:47:59.390 --> 00:48:00.224
And he tore the veil
00:48:00.224 --> 00:48:01.726
So that you would know who he is,
00:48:01.726 --> 00:48:04.462
'cause he's always known who we are.
00:48:04.462 --> 00:48:06.531
I'd love to pray into that if we can.
00:48:06.531 --> 00:48:08.766
God, first, we just thank you, lord,
00:48:08.766 --> 00:48:11.069
For the work of the cross.
00:48:11.069 --> 00:48:13.805
God, i can't even, words fail me
00:48:13.805 --> 00:48:18.343
To adequately convey my gratitude
00:48:18.343 --> 00:48:20.645
For what you did.
00:48:20.645 --> 00:48:22.246
And as we sit here
00:48:22.246 --> 00:48:23.881
Reflecting on the fact that you are a god,
00:48:23.881 --> 00:48:27.685
Who even though you are transcendent,
00:48:27.685 --> 00:48:29.520
Even though you are set apart,
00:48:29.520 --> 00:48:31.556
You are with us.
00:48:31.556 --> 00:48:32.957
The mystery of that boggles our minds.
00:48:32.957 --> 00:48:36.160
But we're so grateful.
00:48:36.160 --> 00:48:38.029
God, i pray for your sons and your daughters
00:48:38.029 --> 00:48:39.831
Who are watching this now,
00:48:39.831 --> 00:48:41.165
Who maybe they feel like they're missing you,
00:48:41.165 --> 00:48:44.202
Maybe they feel like they're far from you.
00:48:44.202 --> 00:48:45.937
Father, give them an encounter with you
00:48:45.937 --> 00:48:48.906
That lets them know
00:48:48.906 --> 00:48:50.341
That you are faithful to your word.
00:48:50.341 --> 00:48:52.043
You will never leave us,
00:48:52.043 --> 00:48:53.811
And you will never forsake us.
00:48:53.811 --> 00:48:55.279
We're grateful that you have established
00:48:55.279 --> 00:48:58.216
And reestablished connection with you.
00:48:58.216 --> 00:49:00.985
Not because of anything that we've done,
00:49:00.985 --> 00:49:03.221
But because you are love.
00:49:03.221 --> 00:49:06.257
I pray all of this
00:49:06.257 --> 00:49:07.825
In the matchless name of jesus christ.
00:49:07.825 --> 00:49:10.194
Amen. - amen.
00:49:10.194 --> 00:49:11.729
- amen.
00:49:11.729 --> 00:49:12.864
- [announcer] connect with us on social media
00:49:13.798 --> 00:49:15.099
And let us know how our team can pray for you.
00:49:15.099 --> 00:49:17.735
(bright music)
00:49:17.735 --> 00:49:23.674
- all right, so a youtube viewer writes,
00:49:24.542 --> 00:49:27.645
"i know god is always with us,
00:49:27.645 --> 00:49:29.747
But how do you hear him all of the time?"
00:49:29.747 --> 00:49:33.251
- ooh.
00:49:33.251 --> 00:49:34.519
- yeah, and i mean, for me- - wow, go ahead.
00:49:34.519 --> 00:49:36.554
- i would say i don't. (laughing)
00:49:36.554 --> 00:49:38.423
- (laughing) yeah, yeah. - i don't hear him
00:49:38.423 --> 00:49:40.591
All the time,
00:49:40.591 --> 00:49:41.993
But that's not what makes me believe, you know?
00:49:41.993 --> 00:49:46.064
Like my trust in his nearness is in the gospel.
00:49:46.064 --> 00:49:49.801
It's in the fact that jesus paid the price,
00:49:49.801 --> 00:49:53.704
Bled on that cross and tore that veil.
00:49:53.704 --> 00:49:56.841
And he is with me whether i feel him or not.
00:49:56.841 --> 00:49:59.544
He is with me whether i hear him or not.
00:49:59.544 --> 00:50:01.979
So my proximity to him
00:50:01.979 --> 00:50:04.449
Is not in my ability,
00:50:04.449 --> 00:50:06.317
It's in what he's done.
00:50:06.317 --> 00:50:07.785
- i also think just really making sure
00:50:07.785 --> 00:50:10.555
That you are constantly in his word is so important,
00:50:10.555 --> 00:50:14.258
Because, you know, jesus said, "my sheep,
00:50:14.258 --> 00:50:16.727
They hear my voice and they follow me."
00:50:16.727 --> 00:50:18.763
In other words, it is those who are following him
00:50:18.763 --> 00:50:21.232
That not only hear his voice,
00:50:21.232 --> 00:50:22.200
But they recognize his voice.
00:50:22.200 --> 00:50:23.501
They will not follow another shepherd, why?
00:50:23.501 --> 00:50:25.503
Because they know jesus' voice.
00:50:25.503 --> 00:50:27.138
And so it's the word of god
00:50:27.138 --> 00:50:29.006
That really trains our ear and our heart-
00:50:29.006 --> 00:50:31.809
- that's good. - to hear the voice of god.
00:50:31.809 --> 00:50:33.611
So stay in the word of god,
00:50:33.611 --> 00:50:35.379
That reveals his character in so many ways,
00:50:35.379 --> 00:50:37.982
And you'll start to hear him more clearly,
00:50:37.982 --> 00:50:40.051
Because you'll know,
00:50:40.051 --> 00:50:41.085
"hmm, this sounds like god,"
00:50:41.085 --> 00:50:42.720
Or, "this doesn't."
00:50:42.720 --> 00:50:44.021
- that's good. - so i hope that's helpful.
00:50:44.021 --> 00:50:45.323
Thank you so much for your questions.
00:50:45.323 --> 00:50:47.091
Keep 'em coming.
00:50:47.091 --> 00:50:48.259
(upbeat music)
00:50:48.259 --> 00:50:49.660
- [announcer] watch "better together" on the go,
00:50:49.660 --> 00:50:51.229
Download the free tbn+ app
00:50:51.229 --> 00:50:53.631
To stream all of your favorite conversations.
00:50:53.631 --> 00:50:55.833
(bright music)
00:50:55.833 --> 00:50:55.833

A Deeper Intimacy with God | Better Together Episode 1152

March 31, 2026 | S8 E1152 | 50:59

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