To Know Him Better

"I pray for you constantly,

asking God,

the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

to give you spiritual wisdom and insight

so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light

so that you can understand the confident hope he has given

to those he called--

his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

I also pray that you will understand

the incredible greatness of God's power

for us who believe him.

This is the same mighty power that raised Christ

from the dead and seated him in the place of honor

at God's right hand in the heavenly realms.

Now he is far about any ruler or authority

or power or anything else--

not only in this world but also in the world to come."

Ephesians 1:16b-21 NLT

To be known and loved; that is the cry of every human heart.  We desire to enjoy intimacy with another in such a way that we are fully understood, yet completely accepted and embraced.  Knowing that we were created in the image of God, I can safely assume that this desire must originate with the Creator himself.  

He desires that we know Him, as well.  Not as a distant God who rules benevolently over us, but as an intimate Father who walks beside us, guiding and directing our paths in His ways, loving our silly quirks and enjoying the delight of our heart.  To be known and loved is the cry of every human that comes from the heart of God.

Enlightenment

I see things through the eyes of a sinful, jaded human who has been hurt, has fallen many times, and who suffers from many fears.  Consequently, I mostly see the product of sin all around me; noticing all the pain and suffering, dangerous pitfalls, and threats that loom.

When I ask God to open the eyes of my heart, as the worship song declares, I begin to come into the light.  It is then that I see the tender care of a mother for her autistic child instead of the unfairness of a disability that I used to notice, or the kindness of a stranger ministering to the outcast where I used to see only futility, or the power of God changing the heart of a loved one where all I once saw was stubborn insolence. 

As I learn more about God, I find that He opens the eyes of my heart to see with His eyes.

Riches

Treasures beyond compare.  The resources to buy anything I want.  Enough income to be able to splurge on luxuries.  The ability to go where I want, when I want.   Many people think of something like this when they see the word "riches."

God, however, has something far more valuable in mind when He uses the word "prosperity."  To Him, His people are His treasured possession (Deuteronomy 7:6).  The fact that He loved me enough to send Jesus to die so that I can inherit His kingdom gives me hope and God pleasure (Colossians 1:12,19-20).

Remembering this wealth that God has bestowed upon me helps when I'm down in the trenches sweating it out.  What I have to look forward to far outweighs any suffering I can endure here on earth, and this gives me incentive to keep moving forward toward what I cannot see but know is there (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

As I learn more about God, I grow in the hope I have in the eternal heritage I can claim through Jesus Christ.

Power

I could hear the energy crackling and humming as it surged through the giant power lines raised high above the ground.  Walking under the enormous robot-like structures, I considered all the energy that was being delivered to thousands of people so they could run their appliances, heat their homes and burn their lights.  The amount of power located above my head was awe-inspiring.

This power, however, is nothing compared to the might of God.  Not only can He speak the world into existence (Genesis 1), part the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22) and raise the dead to life (Luke 24:5-6), but He can also transform a heart of stone (Ezekiel 36:26), mend a broken marriage (Psalm 34:18), and break the bonds of debt.

As I learn more about God, I realize the incomparable mighty strength He pours into my life.

Just as I want to be known and loved, God shares this desire even though He is in need of nothing.  As I walk with Him, getting to know Him better and growing in my love for Him, He opens the eyes of my heart, reminds me of the hope I have in Him, and provides a continuous flow of His incomparable power.  To know Him better is the cry of my heart!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can seek to know God with all of my heart.

When do I look at situations using my eyes instead of God's?

How does His strength make a difference in my life?  

Originally published on March 15, 2013

God's Perfect Law

"The Law of the LORD is perfect,

refreshing the soul."

Psalm 19:7a

Jesus came to set me free from the necessity of following the law.  God's law cannot save me.  Doing what He says does not earn me entry into heaven nor does it make me righteous and holy.  So what's the purpose of the law now that I am under the grace of the new covenant (Romans 7:4-6)?  Do I just throw it out?  Or is there still a purpose for all of God's Word?

Revives.  It's easy to walk through life in a daze, numb to the realities of God and His standard.  Even though I have the benefit of His Spirit living in me, I have the choice to listen, to heed, to respond (Galatians 5:17-18).  

It helps to have the added safeguard of God's living and active Word awakening me to truth (Hebrews 4:12).  When I run up against these walls built for my protection, I realize how faulty my line of thinking is, or how treacherous is the sin within my flesh, or how quickly I fall.

I need God's Word to revive me from my numbness.

Enlightens.  If I try to live my life apart from God's Word, thinking I get enough instruction, understanding and revelation directly from Him, I am in danger.  While it's true that I am one of His sheep who knows His voice, there is also an Enemy who is quite adept at mimicking His distinctive sound (John 10:27).

This enemy makes it his life's work to undermine what God is doing in my life, steal away the peace I have in Christ, and throw falsehoods disguised as truth into my consciousness (John 10:10a).  Without the leveling of God's Word, I start down a slippery slope that leads to destruction.  Before I know what is happening, I believe God's utmost desire is for me to be happy, that His greatest blessings are material, and that since my sins are forgiven, I need not worry too much about turning away from that which comes so naturally.

I need God's Word to enlighten me, to show me where I'm off, to get me back on track (Psalm 19:8).  I need God's Word to provide the foundation of my faith.  I need God's Word to help me discern His voice because He will never contradict His own Word.

I need God's Word to enlighten me as I live in a world that does not know the truth, in a body that leans towards darkness, with an enemy who is bent on my destruction.

Holds Value.  The latest technological gadgets.  Nifty kitchen appliances.  Fun entertainment options.  Amazing advances in automobiles.  Glittery bangles.  There is much in this life that I treasure.  It's way too easy to get caught up in treasuring that which will one day rust, break or be stolen, lost or ruined.  This stuff catches my eye and captures my heart in ways I cannot explain.

As a result, I must guard against valuing the very thing that will draw me away from Christ.  While there's nothing wrong with owning "stuff," it must never own me.  In other words, I must always be ready to give it away, as if it weren't that important.  When it becomes so vital that I feel I can't live without it, I'd better sit up and take notice.  Whatever I treasure determines the location of my heart (Matthew 6:21).

What if I chose God's Word as my greatest prize, my most valuable possession, my sign of wealth (Psalm 19:10)?  Solomon advised that I, "choose (wisdom's) instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold," and the Psalmist said, "The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold." (Proverbs 8:10, Psalm 119:72)

I need God's Word because it is the most valuable thing in my possession.

While it's true that the law of God doesn't save me, it is still necessary.  God's Word revives and enlightens me and hold's value for me as His child.  Therefore, I must never toss out God's perfect law!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can treasure God's Word in my heart so that I may not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11).

When do I forget that Truth is for my protection (Ephesians 6:14)?

How am I guilty of treasuring that which will not last?