Above All Else

By Wendy Hayes

There are a number of things that militate against intimacy with God. Many Christians do not really believe that such a close and personal relationship with Him is really possible. Others are still locked in an old covenant mindset and tend to relate to God through human mediators, reducing Christianity to a second-hand religion.

In her book Above All Else Wendy Hayes identifies and addresses these and other heart issues which rob Christians of their fellowship with God. The message of this book deserves priority in the lives of every child of God. Surely, there is nothing and no-one more worthy of our passion and pursuit than Christ Himself!

Sadly, the typical experience of the believer is that after the ‘honeymoon period’ of their Christian life he or she somehow loses that initial affection for Christ Himself. Whether it is through false teaching that de-centralizes Christ, the subtle absorption into church programs, being consumed with Christian service or the allurement of the world, many of us at some stage seem to be duped into leaving our first love.

Above All Else explores what intimacy with God looks like, and how wounds of the heart and legalism form barriers to the intimate relationship with God we were created to enjoy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wendy Hayes
• Release date: Dec 28, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370031924

Wendy Hayes

I am a professional counsellor with over 16 years experience in inner healing ministry. My extensive training and experience in inner healing, combined with my training in professional counselling gives me a depth of understanding and skill to bring healing and emotional freedom, particularly from trauma and past abuse. I have been married for 23 years with two adult children and three adult step-children. I became a Christian at the age of 24 and have been involved in church leadership for over 18 years. I have a passion to see believers walking in intimacy with God and in the freedom which comes from knowing their identity in Christ.

Book preview

ABOVE

ALL ELSE

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A Call to Intimacy

Wendy Hayes

© Copyright 2016 Wendy Hayes

ISBN: 978-0-646-96501-7

All rights reserved. This book is protected by the copyright laws of Australia. This book may not be copied or reprinted for commercial gain or profit. The use of short quotations or occasional page copying for personal or group study is permitted and encouraged. Permission granted upon request.

Unless otherwise identified, Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Bolded emphasis of Scripture is by addition of the author.

First Edition, 2016

Published in Australia

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my husband Ray. You are my strength and my joy. Words can’t express my gratitude for the unconditional love and kindness you’ve shown me over the last 22 years.

You encourage me, empower me and shower me with blessings – I am the most blessed woman. Our journey together has been full of ups and downs but the constant has been our love.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

INTIMACY

FROM WOUNDED TO WARRIORS

FORGIVENESS

FROM LEGALISTS TO LOVERS

FROM MARTHA TO MARY

FROM SLAVES TO SONS

ENTERING THE REST

Foreword

We were created for communion with God. The Fall resulted in estrangement from God, but Jesus removed the barrier of sin through His shed blood, reconciling us again to God. Being reconciled to God, however, does not automatically guarantee intimacy, anymore than being married does. Intimacy, in any relationship, is a choice. It is the portion of those who prize it and prioritize it.

There are a number of things that militate against intimacy with God. Many Christians do not really believe that such a close and personal relationship with Him is really possible. Others are still locked in an old covenant mindset and tend to relate to God through human mediators, reducing Christianity to a second-hand religion.

In her book Above All Else Wendy Hayes identifies and addresses these and other heart issues which rob Christians of their fellowship with God. The message of this book deserves priority in the lives of every child of God. Surely, there is nothing and no-one more worthy of our passion and pursuit than Christ Himself! He is more than Saviour; He is the pearl of great price, the vast treasure hidden in a field, the living water, the bread of heaven and much, much more.

Sadly, the typical experience of the believer is that after the ‘honeymoon period’ of their Christian life he or she somehow loses that initial affection for Christ Himself. Whether it is through false teaching that de-centralizes Christ, the subtle absorption into church programs, being consumed with Christian service or the allurement of the world, many of us at some stage seem to be duped into leaving our first love.

I warmly commend Wendy’s book to you with the prayer that the flame of your passion for intimate fellowship with God will be kindled afresh.

Ken Legg

Pastor & Christian Author

www.small-groups-ministry.com

INTRODUCTION

God longs for intimacy with His children. His original plan for the world He created revolved around relationship. We see in the Garden of Eden a picture of close fellowship between God and man. Unfortunately, the fall of man ushered in a number of issues which became obstacles to the joyful fellowship which God desired.

No matter where your relationship with God is right now, this book will challenge you to draw closer to Him. We will tackle the issues which make it difficult for us to draw close to God and respond to His call. The Church is in transition, and old mindsets are being broken. If we are to walk in the fullness of what God is calling His Church to be in this hour, then we need a radical change of mind and heart.

We must learn to push past the issues which would distract us from the most important relationship of our lives, and we must be willing to put all else aside in the quest for love. No one desires a marriage which is loveless and driven by duty, and neither does Jesus desire a bride who is too wounded or too busy to love Him with all her heart. Jesus is preparing His bride, and we must learn to be lovers.

God calls us from slavery to sonship, from Martha to Mary, from legalists to lovers. As His children we are now coming into our full inheritance, and we must be prepared in mind and heart to receive it.

Christ has redeemed us from the effects of the fall, but much of the Church still lives under a fallen mindset. This book will challenge you to let go of the old and embrace a new way of relating to God.

God is bringing His children out of Egypt and into the Promised Land of freedom and rest. The Children of Israel in captivity in Egypt is a picture of God’s people in bondage. We’ve sung of our freedom from sickness, condemnation and legalism, and yet for the majority of God’s people that is not yet an everyday reality.

We stand on the brink of a shift which will change the Church as we know it. God calls us to a place of rest. He yearns to set us free from the bondage we have lived under. He longs to take us to a place of victory where we can enjoy the freedom and joy of being His sons and daughters.

In this book we will explore the reasons why intimacy with God can be difficult to achieve and maintain. We will also look at how legalism keeps us from love, how slavery keeps us from worship, and how wounds of the heart keep us from intimacy.

This book is so titled because we are called to love our God above all else. He desires to be the most important One in our lives. Many human marriages struggle because one or both parties are so weighed down with work and responsibilities that they neglect quality time for intimacy in the relationship. This dynamic also causes breakdown in the relationship between Jesus and His bride, the Church.

We often labour under the misguided understanding that we don’t have time to rest in the presence of God – there’s too much to do! Although we probably would never come out and say it that way, this concept can be one of the greatest barriers to a successful and joy-filled Christian life. We tend to emphasise doing good works over building a strong, loving relationship with God.

It is through intimacy with God that we are transformed and empowered. Worship and prayer are the most productive possible uses of our time. We receive revelation of God’s Word as well as His specific burden for us through encounters with His presence.

Prayer encompasses so much more than the taking of our petitions to God. Prayer is fellowship with His presence. When our hearts are still and our minds are free from our own worries and concerns, then we stand in a position to hear from God and hear His heart.

My prayer and hope for this book is that by helping you overcome some of the hindrances to intimacy with God, your passion and love for Him will burn brighter than ever before.

Chapter One

INTIMACY

We have been created for intimacy. Genesis 2:18 says, And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone...’

The deepest need within a person’s heart is to be known. Each of us longs to have another see right into us and to approve of and accept who we are. When our relationships lack intimacy, we feel an overwhelming sense of aloneness. We may not always recognise exactly what is missing, but our contentment in life has much to do with the quality of our relationships with each other and God.

I don’t know anyone who is not in pursuit of some form of close relationship where they feel loved and accepted. Without intimacy in relationships, we can have people all around us and still feel lonely. Intimacy is relationship at the heart level, and it brings a strong sense of connection.

We do need intimate relationships with people but our focus here is on fostering an intimate relationship with God. Having said that, many of the same principles will apply to both areas.

What does an intimate relationship with God look like? The book of Ephesians uses the relationship between a husband and wife to describe the relationship between Jesus and the church. There is no more