APRIL 2008
INTIMACY WITH GOD JOURNAL
In This Issue:
- LAUGH. You have the right to enjoy life!
- QUIET. Soaking in God’s Spa.
- WARDROBE PROGNOSIS. There’s no wardrobe
malfunctions in God’s clothes closet.
- EVENTS: Adore to be Adorned Women’s Conference,
April 12th;
Prophetic Prayer & Worship Conference in Washington
D.C., April 17-19;
Women’s Hermitage, Oct. 9-12
Mike and Linda Schreurs
LOVESICK !
Ahhhh… spring time! The cold of winter rain, snow and ice, has halted for yet another season as the warmth of green grass and flower blossoms emerge. Love is in the air! Have you got wind of it? It’s a wonderful time of year to be lovesick for God! “He has brought me to his banquet hall, and His banner over me is love. Sustain me with raisin cakes, refresh me with apples, because I am lovesick.” (Song of Songs 2:3-4) Oh the fragrance of fruit blossoms in the fresh springtime air. How captivating! It’s just as true for the sweet, pure, powerful fragrance of Christ that exudes from those who love Him intimately. “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” (2 Cor. 2:14)
Do you long for fresh vibrancy in your walk with God? Then by all means you must seek Him with every fiber of your being. There is so much more of Him to have. He’s inexhaustible. How amazing He’s given us an eternity to even begin to tap into all that He is!
Do you long to walk in victory on a daily basis no matter what your circumstances? If so, isn’t it time to get radical in your response to our magnificent King of kings and press deeper into His heart? Being lovesick means you do things you wouldn’t normally do!
“The fig tree has ripened its figs, and the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance. Arise my darling, my beautiful one, and come along.” (Song of Songs 2:13) Yes! Arise! Come along! Go. Seek. Run. Don’t stop now!
Linda Schreurs
Beloved friends, how long has it been since you laid in tall, green grass and looked up into the azure blue skies? How long has it been since you allowed yourself to gaze into the fragrant springtime air watching billowing clouds float by? How long since you’ve given yourself permission to be the little child inside of you that’s longing to be carefree? Perhaps we need to remember I Peter 5:7 a little more often, “…Casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.” I sense the Lord calling us to enjoy Him like the whimsical faith and trust of the child He’s made us to be!
The Word of God says that flesh gives birth to flesh, spirit gives birth to spirit. (John 3:6) The criteria for entering deeper into the heart of the Lord has nothing to do with your childhood memories whether they’re good or bad because that’s of the flesh. But when you’re born again into the kingdom of God and you become HIS CHILD, you have every right to enjoy life. (John 1:12; Matt. 18:1-5) You have every right to have fun with your Heavenly Father God. Did you know He’s waiting for you to enjoy Him?
Please understand, that’s not to say there aren’t skirmishes with the enemy. Jesus told us in this life we would have tribulation. (John 16:33) I’m sure you’ve found that to be true. However, we must set our gaze on the unmovable Rock of Ages. Hebrews 12:2 is a key: “…Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross….”
As a child of the Most High God, you have rights! You have the right to be an overcomer. You have every right to walk in victory. You have every right to be healed, delivered, sanctified and set free. (Rom. 8:37) Did you know your Redeemer is waiting for you to walk in power, authority and victory through His Name, through His saving grace, through His shed blood at Calvary? Why not go for it?!
Enjoy
The point is: Enjoy your walk with God! Quite often I see people striving and working very hard to get somewhere in their spiritual walk. Maybe they need to relax a bit. By that I mean, try sitting before the King of kings, gaze into His face, His eyes, His glory and enjoy being WITH HIM! Have you ever thought how wonderful it is to just hang out with God? Did you know He loves you just as you are? Did you know He loves you too much to leave you the way you are? Did you know His best business is the reconstruction business? He loves extreme makeovers! He loves to take us from where we are, to where we want to go. But it takes His Presence to get us there. “Then he said to Him, ‘If Thy Presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here.’”(Ex. 33:15)
When we walk in His Presence, we can embrace His divinely breathed words in Psalm 16: 11, “Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; in Thy Presence is fullness of joy; in Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” Have you had any Godly, holy pleasures lately? If not, why not? Did you know that simply being with Him is pure pleasure? I don’t care how many important people you know - movie stars, senators, congressman, ambassadors, presidents, queens, kings, preachers or teachers – there’s no better company than the King of kings! How amazing that Enoch simply walked with God enjoying His Presence and he was ‘taken up.’ (Gen. 5:22) It doesn’t get any better than that!
No sad songs
Have you heard of holy laughter? When I first saw it on someone else I was horrified thinking how undignified it was. Then it happened to me! I found it to be quite delightful. Be careful what you judge whether for good or for bad, it just may come upon you. (Matt. 7:1-2)
We must realize there is great healing and deliverance in laughter. Many are bowed over with excessive burdens. They don’t seem to comprehend the Burden Bearer has come to give life and give it more abundantly. (John10:10) It’s not just ‘get a life,’ but enjoy His life in you! “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (I John 4:4)
Stop trying to control everything. “The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation. The sound of joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly. I shall not die, but live, and tell of the works of the Lord.” (Ps. 118:13-15,17; Eccl. 2:24-26)
Did you know the Lord sings over you? And I can tell you, He doesn’t sing sad songs! “As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you.” (Is. 62:5; Zeph. 3:17) Hallelujah!
So, dear hearts, when was the last time you had a good, hardy laugh? If God’s Word says the joy of the Lord is our strength, perhaps we need to lighten up a bit and enjoy Him, enjoy life, enjoy the journey of walking with Him. Enoch did. It worked for him!
If the Lord God Himself sits in the heavens and laughs,isn’t it time we reflect His glory in this manner? (Ps. 2:4) We need to stop judging things we have not experienced. Let’s seek the Lord’s truth in His Word and let it fall like rain refreshing our tired, worn out hearts.
It’s time to be the ‘child’ of God you and I were meant to be. Go out and buy a bottle of those bubbles, lie down on the fresh, springtime grass and watch those bubbles float upward to the sky. Have some fun!
Of course you must seek to grow and mature in Christ. But enjoy the child-like spirit God has placed within you. I challenge you to enjoy your God! (I John 3)
Hanging out with the Lord sometimes requires that you let Him do some of the talking! Too often Christians, especially intercessors, think they have to fill up space with words. No you don’t! Proverbs 46:10 tells us to be still and know God. But many simply do not know how to be quiet. Therefore, they cannot enter into the deepest portions of the Lord’s heart. For in that place of deep, spiritual intimacy – there are no words. In the Holy of Holies, it’s on your face beholding, being awestruck, overwhelmed in holy fear and trembling before a majestic, all-consuming, all powerful God! (I Chron. 7:1-3)
When you’re ‘taken up’ into His Presence as Enoch was, words are useless and inadequate. The position of the heart speaks louder than words ever could. This is where our Heavenly Bridegroom, Jesus, is bringing His Bride, the church, in these last days. He wants to woo her into His wordless realm of intimate spiritual passion, power and glory.
Do you long for that? Is there a cry deep within you that’s desperate for more of God? Then you must learn the JOY of HIS PRESENCE! You must learn to lie before Him, surrendering all, soaking, basking in His Living Waters. Talk about a spa, this is it! This one’s off the charts!
No words
A few months ago I went on a private hermitage to rest and pray. I do this several times a year, either alone or taking others along so they too can learn the power of silence and solitude. If there’s one thing that happens during a spiritual spa with God, it’s that you will indeed find rest, relaxation and peace for your active and overworked mind.
I had been working day and night for such a long time, or so it seemed, that I was simply exhausted physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. One afternoon while on this hermitage, I was simply overwhelmed with the joy of it all. It seemed too good to be true! I mean – rest, who has time for that? Listen my precious friends, if we take time for tanning salons, hair salons, nail salons, etc., might we also take time for Godly spas?
In that intimate moment I journaled the following prayer:
“Holy Spirit, whatever You have to do to change me completely – I’m open! Do whatever You must. I simply have to have more of You! I want to know the Presence of Your heart.
There is rest in Your Presence. Give me rest. Give me Your Presence. There’s power in the ‘rest’ of Your Presence, the utter, holy, stillness of Your Breath alone. Your Presence IS Your breath, Your wind, Your power. Breathe over me again. I’m desperate for more of You.”
Is this your cry as well? If so, perhaps you need to learn this avenue of intimacy with God. Try something you’ve never done before: sit, relax, be quiet, listen, be still.
“But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him.” (Habbkk. 2:20)
“Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord; for He is aroused from His holy habitation.” (Zeh. 2:13)
“Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is near, for the Lord has prepared a sacrifice, He has consecrated His guests.” (Zeph. 1:7)
Celestial realm
Awhile later I recorded these thoughts:
“In the Bread of Your Presence, you don’t have to ‘do’ anything, just let your heart look at Him, gaze at Him and He will feed your soul. Commune spirit to spirit. Enter that celestial realm of glory that is born out of holy silence, awe and wonder of the majestic lover of your soul. Intimate lovers do not need words. How much more so with our Heavenly Bridegroom! Your mouth does not need to speak. There’s greater depth of language in your heart and spirit.
O the magnificent, wordless realm of glory where your ‘being’ - all that is within you, bows in worship out of holy reverential fear of our powerful Creator God, the Almighty, the Living Eternal One, the great I AM! Your face is low, very low at His glorious, beautiful feet. Everything within you bows to the One who gave His life for you. All He wants is your heart, not your lip service. He wants your heart - all of it!”
Springtime can mean great warfare, so stay alert! We know from 2 Samuel 11 that kings went off to war in the springtime. In today’s society, springtime can cause men and women to also go to war in many areas of their lives. But we haven’t a clue that part of that warfare may include our wardrobe! Here’s the crux of the matter, we need to understand if we are not properly clothed we may set ourselves up for defeat in many areas of our lives. I’m talking to men and women. There’s a way to ‘dress for success’ in the business world. Likewise, there’s a way to ‘dress for success’ in the spiritual world.
Take note of this, if King David had been doing what kings were required to do at that time (guys!) he’d not have had committed adultery with Bathsheba. He would not have been tempted by seeing her unclothed (women!)
Wardrobe battles begin every spring, especially in the areas of the country where winter requires being covered from head to toe much of the time. But at the first sign of spring it’s so freeing to take off that extra clothing. Please understand, I’m not implying women become as the Taliban! But we need to know what’s wrapped around our bodies, is what is wrapped around our hearts! What resides within shows itself outwardly. “Behold, Thou dost desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part Thou wilt make me know wisdom.” (Ps. 51:6; John 7:38)
So what has you wrapped up? Are you self-focused or God focused? It usually shows, you know. Those who are centered on their own self-image have ways of displaying it. Those who are fixed on the pleasures of the Lord, it comes through naturally. It’s all a matter of the heart. In Psalm 51, King David after a time of sensual sins cries out from deep within his soul. It’s a heart rending account of someone who realizes his sin and turns back to God with every ‘fiber’ of his being. Glory!
Covenant
One of the exciting fashion aspects that bursts on the scene in the spring are all the vibrant colors. Genesis 37:3 shows us the varied coat of many colors Jacob gave his son Joseph. Those colors speak of God’s promises, His holy, everlasting covenant of Genesis 9. We need to put on the covenant of God! Embrace Him fully in every area of our lives. It’s time to clothe ourselves in Godly modesty, purity and holiness that we may walk in strength and power. Let me say this to my dear sisters in Christ - exposing so much of the flesh with high tight skirts and low tight tops is not of God. Consider what God’s Breath says in Exodus 20:26, “And you shall not go up by steps to My altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed on it.”
Ecclesiastes 9: 8 speaks of our clothing being ‘white’ all the time and not let oil be lacking on our heads. What in the world does that mean?! White, of course, represents purity. Purity brings forth an anointing! If you’re lacking power and victory in your life, perhaps you need a wardrobe analysis to see what you’re wrapped up in. If you’re trying to follow a lot of the fashions of the world, rest assured, you could be cloaked in its web of deceit and destruction. If you’re clothed in God’s covenant, you will find peace, joy and victory.
Adore to be adorned
Our worldly society has oftentimes pictured angels as chubby, baby-like creatures with barely a loin cloth wrapped around them. But it’s not scriptural! Be discerning. Know the Word of God for yourself. It’s actually quite interesting how often scripture describes angelic garments. (Judges 13; Ps. 104:4; Is. 6; Matt. 28:2-3; John 20:12) Why?
It’s hard to imagine an angel on assignment from the holy Throne Room of God coming to earth with all the skin showing that we see today! Could there really be something to how we adorn ourselves? I suspect these holy, angelic beings are so beautifully adorned because they know how to ADORE the King of kings in all purity of divine purpose. So what’s our purpose? Is it not to adore the Lord just as they? Is it not to give praise, honor and worship unto the Most High God? If the train of His robe fills the temple, then His glorious robe is good enough for us who are his living temples! (Is. 6:1; 2 Cor. 6:16; I Cor. 3:16;6:19)
We must walk the walk of God in purity even as to the clothing we put on each day. “And he spoke to those who were standing before him saying, ‘Remove the filthy garments from him. Again he said to him, ‘See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.’ Then I said, ‘Let them put a clean turban on his head.’ So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the Lord was standing by.” (Zech. 3:4-5)
Sunshine
One most significant aspects of the Mount of Transfiguration is our Lord’s display of His garments that shone like the sun! (Matt. 17:2) Jesus is our example for every area of our lives including our wardrobe. Anyone who thinks otherwise is wrapped up in the world’s ways.
There are no wardrobe malfunctions in God’s clothing business! The garments we wear testify to the worldly life or the Godly life within our hearts. It’s time the church become the pure, spotless Bride she is to be. (Eph. 5:27) Let hot passion for Jesus iron out the wrinkles in your life, in what words you use, what garments you wear and what actions you take. If purity in clothing wasn’t so important, it wouldn’t appear hundreds of times in God’s Word. But it’s there! It’s time we pay attention to it.
Look again at Luke 8:43-48 where the woman with the hemorrhage was healed just by touching the hem of the Lord’s garment. His very clothes were pure and holy!
As the days grow shorter before the Lord’s Second Coming, let us be alert to Revelation 3:3-5: “Remember therefore what you have received and heard; and keep it and repent. If therefore you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you. But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.” (Emphasis mine) Clothing is serious business with God!
Heavenly Standards
Our wardrobe prognosis is very good if we’re abiding by heavenly standards. We are commissioned from Romans 13:12 with these words: “The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” (Rom. 13:14. Emphasis is mine)
Ladies and gentleman, it’s time for the church to make a fashion statement! Hallelujah this is now being done! For one thing, you might want to check out ‘Lovesick Clothing’ at their web site: lovesickclothing.com. Also, ladies, you won’t want to miss our Adore to be Adorned Women’s Conference of April 12th! (See announcements)
Sadly, much of the church world has neglected teaching this aspect of purity and holiness. But with Jesus soon return for a pure Bride, I’m not surprised these things are now coming to the forefront. We must awaken! We must not be caught unawares. Let us realize every area of our lives is under divine scrutiny ‘for a time such as this’!
It’s springtime. Let’s display a fresh, vibrant, colorful, covenantal covering to the world. Let’s put on a garment of praise! Let’s be clothed in God’s royal splendor of strength, compassion, humility, grace, love, forgiveness, righteousness, purity, holiness.
Oh! And, don’t forget your Designer Fragrance from on High - the fragrance of Christ! Now that’s a fashion statement!
(Ps. 45:3; Is. 52:1; Col. 3:12; 1 Pet. 5:5; Pv. 31:22,25; Is. 61:3,10; Luke 24:49; Gal. 3:27; John 11:44; 2 Cor. 2:14-16)
Jesus, my Eternal, Everlasting Love! You are love! Oh, the ecstasy of this eternal love affair with my Savior! Eternal Love, I know You will never grow cold, never leave me, or forsake me. You are Eternal Faithfulness, Eternal Joy. I am consumed with You forevermore. Seize every moment of my existence. I leap with great joy into Divine Love!
Linda Schreurs
MINISTRY ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEWS FLASH!
Linda’s new book, Armageddon Bride, by Creation House Publishers, will be in bookstores by mid summer! This book deals with the fiercest fight known to man at the end of the age, where the true Bride of Christ, the Church, will be tested for her purity. Red, hot, passionate love and desire for our heavenly Bridegroom will be as an iron that presses out lukewarmness, compromise, contamination, all spots and all wrinkles. What will those days be like? How shall we prepare? This is urgent reading for everyone!
ADORE TO BE ADORNED WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
Sponsored by the Women of Fire branch of Intimacy With God Ministries. Held on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at Crown Point Center, 6300 Pioneer Parkway, Johnston, Iowa (west of Merle Hay Rd.). This is a cozy meeting place with a fireplace and located near a small lake. Lunch will be a fun time of fellowship as each one brings a sack lunch & beverage, enjoying the company of other ladies, along with the beautiful spring weather!
This Conference is something that’s been on my heart for over 12 years! What resides deep within us reflects how we carry ourselves on the outside. Therefore, inner healing will be a main ingredient. As ladies of the Lord, we’re called to carry ourselves with dignity and respect bringing honor to our Beloved Bridegroom. There are criteria for interactions with men in the manner in which we dress, conduct ourselves and how we interact with a lost and dying world. Ps. 45:13 is key: “The King’s daughter is all glorious within; her clothing is interwoven with gold.”
As we worship and ADORE the Lord, He ADORNS us with His righteousness, purity, holiness and power for a victorious lifestyle. (Is. 61:3) This conference will clothe us with a new mantle of authority! The fashion show will display the beautiful, tangible proper attire for the King’s lady. It will be fun! It will be a delightful marker in your life. Invite your mothers, sisters, daughters, friends, co-workers.
It’s free! A passionate love offering will be taken as a portion of our worship. Linda Schreurs is the main speaker for this event along with Carla Kaiser of Des Moines, who will also dance during the Grand Finale. Along with her gift of worshipful, interpretative dance, Carla is a vibrant, gifted speaker who has worked for a major company in Europe as an image consultant. Stephanie Berger will lead us in worship. She has been an intern at KC IHOP and comes to us from Omaha. She has been greatly gifted by the Lord with a beautiful heart, a voice to match, as well as writing intimate love songs to Jesus.
This is one day you will not want to miss! Mark it down now.
Session I 9 AM Teaching
Session II 11 AM Teaching
Session III 2 PM 10 Min. ‘Sound Bites’ by 3 men:
Fred Stoker, author of ‘Every Man’s Battle’
Steve Ziebell, Family Counselor
Bill Butler, (who along with his wife) is founder of Thomas Lift (clothing)
This segment also includes a Fashion Show!
Snack Break 3:30 PM Snacks/beverages provided
Grand Finale! 4 PM Teaching/special surprises/ministry
Prophetic Prayer and Worship Conference: April 17-19, 2008, Washington, D.C. Sponsored by First Love Ministries with Pat Chen. Mike and Linda Schreurs will be among the speakers. This will be a strategic time of intercession regarding national and international governmental affairs according to Isaiah 9:6-7. Register at: www.FirstLovePrayer.net
Wednesday Night Bible Study: For men and women. Anointed teaching by Mike Schreurs. Begins at 7:15 PM. Call: 515- 270-0231 for more info.
Women’s Hermitage: Oct. 9-12, 2008. Almost full now! Call for details: 515-270-0231.