When our second daughter was much younger, she would have some sisters in Church carry her during services. Occasionally, I would ask her mum; “Who carried my daughter the longest in service today?” When she replies me, I would say; “No wonder, she smells like the person that carried her, she’s wearing her perfume”.

Friend, whose perfume are you wearing? Who are you close to that now determines how you smell? Listen, relationships would not leave you the same; there’s always a rub off, it’s only a matter of time. Don’t claim you are going to Heaven when your best friends are on their way to hell. A sinner whose best of friends are saints has the more likelihood to make it to Heaven than a saint whose best of friends are sinners (Psalms 1:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:33).

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John…they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). Your manifestation is a reflection of your intimacy. The disciples of Jesus got so intimate with Him that His life rubbed off on them. This is what intimacy with God would do for you. It would determine your direction, accuracy, speed and power. Intimacy requires time; you cannot get God in a hurry just the way you don’t get drunk by only taking a sip of Alcohol.

“…The Holy Ghost shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you…” (Luke 1:35). Intimacy determines impregnation; if you are intimate with the wrong person or thing, you would carry the wrong pregnancy (vision). What some people call vision today is what they got from the television, not in the place of intimacy with God. Don’t spend your whole life running the race that God has not chosen for you (Philippians 3:10-14).

It is not enough to claim that you have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, you must fellowship with Him so you can get into intimacy (1 John 1:1-3). The deeper the intimacy the easier it is to pick signals (Romans 8:14). Stop running here and there looking for what you can only get in your closet with God. Thank God for powerful conferences and programs, but none of these can replace personal intimacy.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there…” (Exodus 24:12). “Stay-bility” is the price for intimacy. If you are not ready to stay with God, you cannot get what He has for you. Don’t go to God looking for what to preach or share on social media. Don’t go to God to get things; go to God to get God. It is your connection that would determine your collection. Do away with haste (Isaiah 28:16).

© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria