INTIMACY WITH GOD
What a blessing to meet people of God who really love the Kingdom with a passion. In my recent trip to Waycross, Georgia, I had the privilege of meeting some of them. They are part of a prayer group which will impact the city of Waycross, because they pray with gusto. I met there with Dr. Ken and Kikky Williams, Susan Hohenstein, Lisa Mosely, Marlene Smith, Lisa Jordan, Boo and Ann Clarke, Terri Davis, Betty Miller, Jane Smith, and Sharon Chapman, just to name a few.
I was proud of those folks in Waycross. They sought a touch from God, while many others were happy having coffee at Starbucks and having an experience with furniture and cookies. God help us!!
This was the dilemma that drove Jesus Christ to take the disciples to Mt. Hermon. In Matthew 16, Jesus asked the disciples who they though He was, suggesting that the disciples had a very weak concept of Jesus’ identity. What amazes me is the fact that He had to be transfigured in glory in front of the disciples in order to convince them of His nature. Yes, it was a supernatural experience!
Jesus became surrounded by people who were sold out to the Kingdom. However, until Jesus came to Mt. Hermon for the experience of the transfiguration, the disciples still doubted that He was the Christ. It was after the powerful experience of the supernatural that those men came to the conclusion that, yes, Jesus was the Son of God.
All of us are waiting for an experience with God. You can have a head full of knowledge but never have heart knowledge about who God is. An experience with God will changed the way you think. I firmly believe that these friends from Waycross want that experience with God: intimate, personal and powerful.
You can be a pastor for 20 yeas, a seminary professor for 10 year, a church member for 30 years and still have no concept of the Person of Jesus Christ if your heart remains cold and self-centered. Imagine trying to sense the presence of God while having a critical spirit about the gifts of God. At Christmas time this year, a seasoned pastor walked by me and speaking to another said, “Are you all speaking in tongues here?” The derogatory comment was directed toward me, but was belittling to the Holy Spirit. Let me ask you this: How can such a person come to understand the presence of God at any level? It seems impossible, but it is not! All the person needs is a supernatural touch of God and she will change. The disciples experienced a touch of God at Mt. Hermon. From that moment on, they knew who Jesus was and did not doubt His divinity.
You too can know the glory and the power of God, just like the disciples. Ask Him today to reveal Himself to you as He truly is – and once you have gazed upon His majesty and beauty, you will never be the same!
Rick Bonfim



Rick: praise the Lord.
Comment by Janette — January 22, 2008 @ 5:23 pm
Thank you, thank you, Rick for the fire you always impart to my heart when I read what is burning in your heart. You are not afraid to talk about the fear of the Holy Spirit’s touching someone, but always encourage us to know that He can, and will touch anyone who asks. Praise the Lord for you and Mary Lucy.
Sincerely, Alice Meyer
Comment by Alice Meyer — January 23, 2008 @ 3:38 pm
Rick,
I appreciate your reminder of our need for “heart knowledge of who God is”. I think your friends in Waycross Georgia have ALREADY been blessed with an intimate encounter with God.
Comment by Richard Thomas — January 23, 2008 @ 10:19 pm
por favor orem por meu amigo macelo souto santana esta acamado em volta redonda com encefalite viral desde o carnaval eu recebi oracao por vcs quando estiveram aqui em carmo e fui muito felis ajudem meu amigo
Comment by dirlene carvalho menezes — March 19, 2008 @ 3:30 pm