3 Things We Must Remove From Our Lives In Order to Have Deeper Intimacy With God

In the Gospel of John we see three things every believer must remove from their lives in order to have deeper intimacy with God.  #Biblestudy #John #WomensBibleStudy #GoodMorningGirls

Do you wish you had deeper intimacy with God?

Do you wish you could clearly hear God’s voice?

Is your daily to-do list keeping you from time in the Word?

Are you sometimes embarrassed of how much you love Jesus and afraid to let others see that deep affection?

Then this video is for you!

Join me as we look at Mary and Martha, from John chapter 12, and discuss the 3 things that we must remove from our lives, in order to have deeper intimacy with God.

{If you are reading this in an email or feed – click here to view the video}

In the video, I share about a time when I was humiliated while trying to share the gospel with a woman I had been praying for.  Sometimes, my “over the top” love of Jesus comes off wrong to unbelievers but I refuse to shrink back and be ashamed of Jesus.  If you’ve been there, then today’s scripture will be an encouragement to you.

In the video, we looked at the very popular story of Mary and Martha from Luke 10 when Jesus visited their house. Mary sat at his feet. Then we flipped over to John 12, where we found Jesus visiting their house a second time and Mary was at his feet once again.  Only this time she was doing more than just sitting at his feet!

If anyone tells you that you are “over the top” with your love for Jesus – do not listen to them.

In John 12:3, when Mary poured an entire bottle of perfume (about the size of a pop can) on Jesus’ feet, Jesus is pleased by her lavish love.

Mary’s perfume was worth a year’s worth of income.

Our deep affection for Jesus should match the deep value of Jesus!

Sometimes our love for God may cost us financially, other times it requires a sacrifice of time but ultimately it is always a sacrifice of pride.  Mary’s act of washing Jesus’ feet with her hair was an act of humility.

Many of us spend a lot of money on hair care. We wash our hair, condition it, deep condition it, bleach it, dye it, curl it, straighten it and more.  And then we see in today’s passage – Mary turned her hair into a rag for Jesus.  I love this!

Jesus loved Mary’s approach to life.

He said Mary had made a better choice than Martha. (Luke 10:42) . So how can we become more like Mary?

Let’s look at some of Mary’s character qualities together:

Mary wanted to be as close to Jesus as she could be.

Mary wanted to hear every word Jesus had to say.

Mary did not want to just be serving Jesus in the kitchen, she wanted to be at Jesus’ feet.

Mary did not care what it cost her financially to display her love for Jesus.

Mary was unashamed of her love for Jesus, even when she was criticized by others.

Mary had a sensitive spirit and she was able to sense that the end of Jesus’ days on earth was near.

Mary was emotional.

Mary was affectionate.

Mary was extravagant.

Mary was sacrificial.

Mary was humble.

Mary was sensitive.

Mary was unashamed.

Mary was “over the top” with her loving display of Jesus.

May we be more like Mary and may our love for God grow deeper, as we remove barriers to our intimacy with God and become more like Mary.

Walk with the King,

**Chime In**

Which of the 3 barriers listed in the video do you struggle with the most and why?

Do you know a woman like Mary in your life?   Tell us about her.

Which of the list of Mary’s character qualities do you relate to most?  

 

 

 

 

 

16 Comments

    1. My mother passed away in 1996 of breast cancer and she was only 48 years old. I was 29 when she went to be with Jesus and her name was Mary too. Just know my sister, one day we will see them again ❤️????

  1. I am named Mary. I have all these qualities. I have done what this Biblical Mary has done with equal sacrifices. I never washed Jesus’ feet with my hair. I cant either because it is so short. Lol I certainly would be willing to sacrifice for Jesus. He has done so much for me.

  2. Thank you for this video. It has been a long time since I shared my deep affectionate love for Jesus. Reflecting on when I talk about Jesus outside my family, my words are generally fact/knowledge based and kinda sterile. Instead of hiding the personal side, I will be open to those opportunities to be sensitive, emotional, and unashamed.

  3. Courtney I enjoy these videos so much!!!! You really hit home on so many issues. You make the Bible so much more understandable by your videos. Please keep doing them. I wish you could do them after each reading. They help me as I am sure they help so many other people . ❤️????????

  4. Thank you Courtney for this profound revelation! Just this week whilst I was getting out of sleep I heard this small but peculiar voice revealing to me that I need to strive to not be always so busy and hasty, and this has been on my mind since then, now I listen to this video and it really hits home! I believe this is a year/ time that God wants to really set us free( those who are really willing and pressing to break free) so that we can be the difference this world needs, a hunger and thirst for what is right in this chaotic day and time which we are living in. With this being said, i’ve got this song on my mind by Isreal Houghton – “To worship You I live ” ????. Blessings to all my sisters ( and brothers ????) in Christ.

  5. I struggle so much to sacrifice for the Lord, in order to love Him more. I have been struggling with temptations and am really in need of prayer right now, to walk away from them and to be lead by the Lord to what He would have for me in order to stay close to Him.

    1. Brogan,

      I am saying a prayer for you this morning. Stay in the Word and keep following the voice of God. He loves you and he will guide you out of temptation and forgive you when you fall. Keep on going.
      Lots of Love,
      Courtney

  6. Courtney – you are GLOWING! I look forward to seeing the Lord continue to bless you. I just know that the Lord has someone VERY special for you. Hope from the ashes is coming….just like He did for your sweet friend Janelle. 🙂 Thank-you for being a blessing to so many women.

  7. I just found this website. Thank u so much for the encouragement and vids. I’ve been needing to find a good plug-in. This is a great place to start.
    I’ve been so distracted this whole past year. . Time to get it right.
    I know the Lord led me here. Thank u so much.

  8. Thank you for a deeper insight on Martha and Mary. I realize that there is always more to learn. Go’s word NEVER grows old or stale. Blessings for a wonderful Bible Study.

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