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  KNOWING GOD INTIMATELY IS THE SECRET OF BEING STRONG
  by Zac Poonen
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Summary: The sermon emphasizes that knowing God intimately is essential
for spiritual strength and overcoming life's challenges.

Topics: "Intimacy With God", "Spiritual Strength"
Scripture References: 1 Samuel 3:10, Isaiah 50:4, Daniel 11:32, Matthew 4:4, Luke 10:42, John 17:3, Philippians 3:10, Hebrews 8:11

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DESCRIPTION
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Zac Poonen emphasizes that knowing God intimately is essential for
spiritual strength, as highlighted in Daniel 11:32. He encourages
believers to seek a personal relationship with God rather than relying
on others' experiences, citing that eternal life is defined by knowing
God and Jesus Christ (John 17:3). Poonen stresses the importance of
listening to God daily, following Jesus' example of spiritual
nourishment through His words (Matthew 4:4). He advocates for a
continuous listening attitude, even during the night, to remain
receptive to God's guidance (1 Samuel 3:10). Ultimately, knowing God
equips us to overcome life's challenges by revealing His solutions to
our problems.

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CONTENT
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"The people who know their God will be strong" (Dan.11:32)

Today, God does not want us to know Him second-hand through others. He
invites even the youngest believer to know Him personally (Heb.8:11).
Jesus defined eternal life as knowing God and Jesus Christ personally
(John 17:3). This was the greatest passion of Paul's life and must be
our greatest passion too (Phil.3:10).

One who desires to know God intimately, will have to listen to Him
always. Jesus said that the only way man could keep himself spiritually
alive was by listening to EVERY word that proceeded from God's mouth
(Matt.4:4 ). He also said that to sit at His feet and listen to Him was
the most important thing in the Christian life (Lk.10:42).

We must develop the habit that Jesus had of listening to the Father from
early morning every day (Isa.50:4), right through the day; and then to
be in a listening attitude in the hours of night when we are asleep too
- so that if we ever wake up from our sleep at night, we can say,
"Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening" (1 Sam.3:10).

Knowing God will make us overcomers in all situations - because God has
a solution for every problem that we face - and if we listen to Him, He
will tell us what that solution is.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/zac-poonen/knowing-god-intimately-is-the-secret-of-being-strong/
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