Deepening Our Relationship with God Through Intentionality

September brings a season of change, both in the world around us and often within our own hearts. In the midst of shifting schedules and swirling emotions, there is a deep longing to know God more intimately, to draw close, and to remain unshaken in our faith. The journey of knowing God is not about following a set of rules, but about intentionally spending time with Him, allowing our lives to be shaped by His presence. Just as relationships with people deepen through repeated, meaningful time together, so too does our relationship with God grow as we continually turn our attention to Him.

Time is a gift, and how we use it reveals what we value most. We often find ourselves racing against the clock, but Scripture reminds us that time is ultimately in God’s hands. Each day is an opportunity to live with gratitude, to be intentional, and to recognize that our moments with God are not wasted. The more we seek Him, the more we desire to know Him, and the more we are transformed to reflect His character—bearing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

Attention is a powerful thing. We can be near God, yet not truly engage with Him—much like a baby in a stroller who is present but not in relationship. True intimacy with God requires us to focus our hearts and minds, to behold Him, to listen for His voice, and to be captivated rather than merely consuming. Proximity does not guarantee relationship; intentionality does.

Being rooted in Christ is essential for spiritual survival. Like the redwood trees whose strength comes not from deep roots but from interconnectedness, we are called to be rooted and established in love, supported by community, and nourished by the Spirit. We must also be mindful of what takes root in our lives, for not all roots are healthy. Abiding in Christ requires patience, trust, and a willingness to be still, allowing fruit to grow in its season.

Finally, drawing close to God means daily denying ourselves, laying down both the good and the bad that distract us from Him, and offering our lives as living sacrifices. Honesty about our spiritual condition is vital; we must not pretend to bear fruit when we do not. Community provides the space for encouragement, accountability, and growth. Above all, our worth is found not in the approval of others, but in the love of our Maker. In every season, may we be people who seek, listen, remain, and surrender—knowing that we are deeply loved.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Time with God is Transformative, Not Transactional The depth of our relationship with God is not measured by a checklist, but by the compounding effect of intentional, repeated time in His presence. As we spend time with Him, we begin to reflect His character, not just in knowledge but in the way we think, speak, and act. This transformation is gradual and rooted in love, not obligation. [63:52]
• 2. Attention Determines Intimacy Proximity to God does not guarantee relationship; it is the intentional turning of our attention that leads to true intimacy. Like glancing at a picture versus truly seeing it, we must focus our hearts and minds on God to fully experience Him. What captivates us shapes us—consuming the world leaves us empty, but beholding God leaves us satisfied. [66:57]
• 3. Rootedness Requires Community and Stillness Spiritual strength is not found in isolation or frantic striving, but in being rooted in Christ and interconnected with others. The redwood trees thrive not because of deep roots, but because their roots are intertwined, supporting one another. Likewise, we flourish when we are established in love, supported by the Spirit, and living in authentic community. [73:32]
• 4. Abiding Demands Patience and Honest Self-Examination Fruitfulness in the Christian life comes from abiding—remaining still and connected to the source, even when growth seems slow. We must resist the urge for shortcuts and be honest about the season we are in, acknowledging when we are not bearing fruit. Honesty with ourselves and others opens the door for real growth and deeper connection with God. [84:29]
• 5. Surrender is a Daily Practice, Not a One-Time Event Following Jesus means daily laying down both the burdens and the blessings that distract us from Him. True discipleship involves denying ourselves, picking up our cross, and offering our lives as living sacrifices. This surrender is not about loss, but about making space for God’s life and love to fill us anew each day.
  
  ** [80:18]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [59:55] - Introduction: The Season of Change
• [60:55] - The Gift and Stewardship of Time
• [62:20] - God’s Sovereignty Over Our Days
• [63:52] - Compounded Time and Spiritual Transformation
• [64:49] - The Wonder of Knowing God
• [66:21] - Seeking and Finding God
• [66:57] - The Power of Attention and Focus
• [68:20] - Proximity vs. Relationship
• [70:12] - Listening for God’s Voice
• [71:36] - Rootedness and Spiritual Stability
• [73:32] - The Redwood Analogy: Community and Support
• [75:03] - Guarding What Takes Root
• [76:34] - The Challenge of Abiding
• [78:00] - Where the River Flows, Life Flourishes
• [79:02] - The Simplicity of Being with God
• [80:18] - Daily Surrender and Self-Denial
• [82:38] - Four Pathways to Knowing God
• [83:49] - The Importance of Perspective and Honesty
• [84:29] - Authenticity and Fruitfulness
• [85:21] - Community, Encouragement, and Identity
• [86:50] - Invitation to Respond and Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

John 15:4-5 (ESV) — > Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

2. Ephesians 3:16-19 (ESV)
> that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

3. Luke 9:23-24 (ESV)
> And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

Observation Questions

1. In John 15:4-5, what does Jesus say is necessary for a branch to bear fruit?
2. According to Ephesians 3:17, what are believers to be “rooted and grounded” in?
3. In Luke 9:23, what does Jesus say is required of anyone who wants to follow Him?
4. The sermon compared the redwood trees’ root system to Christian community. What was unique about the redwood roots, and how does that relate to our spiritual lives? [[01:13:32]]

Interpretation Questions

1. What does it mean to “abide” in Christ, and why is this different from simply being near Him? [[01:06:57]]
2. The sermon said, “Proximity doesn’t guarantee relationship. Intentionality does.” How does this challenge the way people sometimes approach their relationship with God? [[01:08:20]]
3. Why do you think Paul emphasizes being “rooted and grounded in love” in Ephesians 3? How does this connect to the idea of spiritual stability and community? [[01:13:32]]
4. Jesus calls His followers to “deny themselves and take up their cross daily.” What might this look like in everyday life, especially when it comes to both “good” and “bad” things that distract us? [[01:20:18]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon talked about time with God being transformative, not transactional. What is one way you can intentionally set aside time this week to be with God, not just to check off a box, but to truly know Him? [[01:03:52]]
2. Is there something in your life right now that is capturing your attention more than God? What practical step could you take to shift your focus back to Him this week? [[01:06:57]]
3. The redwood trees thrive because their roots are interconnected. Who are the people in your life that help you stay rooted in Christ? How can you strengthen those connections or seek out new ones? [[01:13:32]]
4. The sermon mentioned that not all roots are healthy. Is there a “root” (habit, thought pattern, relationship) in your life that you need to address or remove because it’s not helping you grow in Christ? [[01:15:03]]
5. Abiding in Christ requires patience and honest self-examination. When was the last time you honestly evaluated your spiritual fruit? What did you notice, and what might God be inviting you to do next? [[01:24:29]]
6. Surrender is a daily practice. What is one thing—good or bad—that you sense God is asking you to lay down today so you can follow Him more closely? [[01:20:18]]
7. The sermon reminded us that our worth is found in God’s love, not in the approval of others. Are there areas where you are seeking approval from people instead of resting in God’s love? How can you remind yourself of your true identity this week? [[01:25:21]]