The Power of Intimacy with Christ: Overcoming the Obstacles That Hinder Intimacy

By Dr. Sharon Mancha

"The Power of Intimacy with Christ" is a book full of spiritual resources for growing your relationship with God. It provide tools and resources for overcoming the obstacles that hinder building intimacy with Christ.

In today's society there are many things that demand our time and distract us from developing and maintaining our most important relationship, relationship with God.

This book is rich with practical biblical principles and devotions for enhancing intimacy with the lover of your soul, Jesus Christ. You will experience the Spirit of God as you turn the pages of this Spirit-filled book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 19, 2009
• ISBN: 9781438999333

Dr. Sharon Mancha

Dr. Mancha is a whole life spiritual growth guru. She has given her life to helping others establish and maintain an intimate relationship with God as our life resourse for overcoming past trauma and accepting the healing possible in relationship with God. She is a co-pastor, prophetess and Christian educator who has herself survived and overcam trials and found safety in the heart of God.

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Copyright © 2011 Sharon Mancha, MA. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Unless otherwise indicted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Published by AuthorHouse 04/21/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4389-9931-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4389-9932-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4389-9933-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2009907573

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Sharon Mancha Ministries

P. O. Box 484

Pasadena, CA 91101-9998

626-356-9497

Please visit our website at www.sharonmanchaministries.com

Online ordering is available for all products.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to those all over the world who long for deeper intimacy with Christ, to overcome all obstacles, and to find the secret power that flows from intimate relationship with Christ.

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1    Meeting Christ

Chapter 2    Yielding To His Presence

Chapter 3    Learning God’s Voice

Chapter 4    Embracing Transformation

Chapter 5    Trusting Beyond Fear

Chapter 6    Faith in His Presence

Chapter 7    Resting In His Presence

Chapter 8    Abiding In His Presence

Chapter 9    The Power of His Presence

Chapter 10    Knowing God’s Voice

Chapter 11    Fighting To Maintain    Your Intimacy

Conclusion

Introduction

O ver twenty years ago, the Lord commissioned me to tell others about the intimacy He and I share, and about His desire for intimate fellowship with those who are hungry for intimacy with Him.

After years of learning how to surrender to the love of God, I realized that the very best thing I can do is to allow Him, through my surrender, to pour Himself into my heart. Experiencing the goodness of the Lord is a life-changing experience. It leaves those who dare to launch out into the mystery of His wondrous love hungering for more of His presence. This longing appetite for the delicacies of God sets us on course to be seekers of God’s satisfying presence, which fills our beings with a lifetime supply. Drawing nigh to God is the pathway to ultimate provision in the place within us that no human being can fill. Ultimate life experience is nestled in the bosom of fellowship with the true and living God. His love and grace form the magnet that pulls us into the atmosphere of His unleashed love, overcoming all that life corrupts, and shrinks the seemingly overwhelming life experiences into minute passages that lead to the heart of God.

My experience with Christ has been an adventure. I am enjoying the journey. The time I spend in His presence has been my period of transformation. I am in pursuit of the heart of the loving Savior who succors my life with provision deep inside my soul that money, people, and materialism lack the ability to give. He makes my heart wealthy. His provision has been more than enough in every situation that has come into my life. His wisdom and fellowship are life-anchoring, and they are more than sufficient every time we place our trust in Him. There is health, hope, and peace in the secret place of the Most High.

I have not always enjoyed every path that intimacy with God has led me, because some of them took me into the dark places of my heart and provided me with a revealing glimpse of my need for transformation of my heart, mind, and spirit. It is hard work to face ourselves, to see ourselves in the light of His holiness. It is absolutely necessary for us to see ourselves as His reflection manifests all that is defiled and corrupted by sin. This place of revelation is also the place of transformation. I came in contact with the world impacted by bad decision-making, self-righteousness, and pride. Prior to encountering the light of His presence and His flowing power, loosed through fellowship with Christ, I was not aware of my dire need for the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit. These encounters made me realize how much I need Christ, and that without Him I am not able to do anything of significant comparable value. The truth is that as I explore and peek into the motives and intents of my heart, I realize that I am only truly whole through my fellowship with Him. These heart journeys and exploits with God continually ignite and increase my love for Him. They cause me to love Him more. He has taught me how to surrender to His glorious grace for healing and restoration. These experiences have proven to be the heart-shaping work of God as He molds me into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. The revelation of His heart-seeking mine is producing in me life’s true riches. This relationship allows the power of intimacy with Christ to reveal and heal my heart for effective and power-filled living. I am learning to allow the love of God to empower and metamorphose my natural and spiritual being into His expression of love to the world.

I have observed through my experiences as co-pastor, director of leadership development, and traveling evangelist that many Christians struggle with developing and maintaining intimacy with Christ. They resist the process because it demands surrender and sacrifice of self. Many want to serve God, but lack the discipline necessary to experience deep intimacy with Him. Some trade the benefits of fellowship with the Creator of the universe because they are distracted by so many things competing for their time. They never learned that the true riches in life are worth the sacrifice to acquire them. When we lack the discipline for establishing life priorities, we forfeit the privilege of choosing intimacy with Christ.

Intimacy requires time and commitment. Passion for relationship is aroused when commitment to our heart growth is established. Time must be invested in order to encounter the lover of our souls. Learning to love God comes from paying attention to the presence of God and learning to spend time with God. It is absolutely necessary to center our lives on the throne of God. God’s storehouse is filled with provision for His intimate ones. He gives everyone who calls on Him supply for abundant living. But those who dwell in Him gain access to the special provision of God. Those who are intimate with God acquire carte blanche access to God’s wealth. Those who shy away from the presence of God, but merely linger around the edges of intimacy, will experience only the corporate overflow. There is something very special about the inflow of God that happens in the heart of the intimate, something greatly lacking in the corporate overflow.

The hearts of human beings long for intimacy with God, without even knowing what it is that is missing. We spend our lives looking for relationships that empower, liberate, and comfort us from the toils of life. After trying it all, most people take a deep dive into emotional emptiness, birthing desperation for healing, cleansing and restoration. Only in communion with Christ can our hearts truly be made whole. We were created to love God and to serve Him in truth. The answer to the heart’s cry is to abide in intimacy with Christ. Heart wholeness is possible! Self-serving endeavors will never make us whole or happy. Most of us have manipulated everything under the sun, trying to satisfy the heart, but come up short of total satisfaction in the soul. Christ has made it possible for our hearts to be vibrantly happy in Him. There is great joy and unimaginable love for you in the heart of God.

This book will aid your faith and build your confidence for relationship with Christ. It addresses the power that accompanies intimacy with Him. It provides enlightenment about the transformational process that is possible only through being seated in the heart of God. It also reveals the power that is released into your life when you live in intimate relationship with Him.

Chapter 1

MEETING CHRIST

M eeting Christ for the first time is a life-altering experience. It impacts our minds and hearts for the rest of our lives. Prior to this life intersection with the sovereign God, we are alienated from ultimate truth, and lack the ability to see ourselves in the light of His truth. When we come face to face with Christ, our innermost beings are revealed to us through the power of His presence. In His presence is the power of revelation to see things as God sees them. We are empowered to embrace the truth of our prolonged distance from God. Thank God that He offers us the opportunity to bridge this gap. If we embrace the revelation of God’s love, he will draw us