DO YOU KNOW HIM? DO OTHERS KNOW YOU KNOW HIM?

“BreakPoint” recently had an excellent article about Larry Taunton of the Fixed Point Foundation who asked students on college campuses why they don’t believe in God. He was surprised by the level of interest demonstrated by the student’s responses. The article highlighted that "instead of would-be Richard Dawkins", the typical respondent was more like Phil, a student Taunton interviewed.

Phil had grown up in church; he had even been the president of his youth group. What drove Phil away wasn’t the lure of secular materialism or even Christian moral teaching.  Phil lost his interest in both the church and God when his church hired a youth pastor who was more concerned with entertaining the youth than teaching them about the word of God.  Moreover, many students shared that their pastors and teachers offered trite and superficial answers to life’s most difficult questions instead of referring to the bible where they supposedly put their faith and trust. 

One student even expressed to Larry Taunton that “Christianity is something that if you really believed it, it would change your life and you would want to change [the lives] of others. I haven’t see too much of that.” ​ ​

Oh, my goodness! This should tear us up, and at the same time ignite a flame within to start showing those in our lives that we really do believe what we profess! Do you know what fans your fire for the Lord into an all consuming flame? 

Jeremiah tells us in chapter 23 verse 29; “Is not My Word like fire,” declares the Lord.

God’s Word is indeed like a fire; it leaves an indelible effect on our lives. For a couple of years we experienced controlled fire burns near us in the Wyoming wilderness. The fires left the hillsides charred and destroyed all the underbrush. Nevertheless, just two years later lush green, new growth covered the ground. Isn’t that how God’s Word works in our lives? It leaves it’s mark by showing us areas that need to be burned out of our lives and at the same time nourishes a new, lush, and healthy life.  

Proverbs 3: 7-8 says, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”

Hmmm, are you thinking what I am thinking? Perhaps we don’t see new changed lives because we are trusting our own understanding and not living day by day, moment by moment revering God as our Lord and seeking His ways . How many times do we just say or do what “I think” or what “I feel” instead of stopping just a wee second and asking the Lord for His wisdom and will?

Hosea 6:6 I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know Me more than I want burnt offerings.

DO YOU KNOW HIM?

And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.

Do you know the only true God and Jesus Christ, the One God sent to earth? In this passage John says there is only one way to eternal life.  Are you on your way to eternal life? 

“To know,” as used in John 17:3, is the Greek word ginosko, which means to learn about, to gain knowledge of, to understand, and to become intimately acquainted with Abba God who has given you all the resources you need in order to know Him. Do you have a daily Bible? Do you have a study Bible? 

Two incredible websites to enrich your time in the Word are biblgateway.com and blueletterbible.org.

You will never fully trust someone you do not know. Your Abba God stands with open and loving arms, inviting you to sit and converse with Him. You cannot really know Him through second-hand theology. In other words, do not rely on a teacher or pastor for an intimate connection with Abba.  Yes, we are told to study God’s Word and good teachers do help us grow in the Word, however, Jesus wants to spend time with you. He has a word just for you. Will you sit with Him?

If you want God, you have already found Him. A.W. Tozer says, “Our desire for fuller life is proof that some life must be there already. We gravitate toward our longings, provided of course that those longings are strong enough to move us.” 

Are you moved to know Him enough to accept His Love and trust Him? Are you moved to know Him enough to change your life? Do those whom you come in contact with see something different in you? Do they see a peace that surpasses understanding? Do they see hope despite our world in crises around us? Do they see a kindness and grace about you? Do they smell the fragrant aroma of Christ wafting about you? Let’s start fanning that flame into an all consuming fire! 

What are you going to do to fan that flicker into an all consuming fire? 

Love, 
Deborah