How to Know God

This past week I was listening to my husband preach about the things God has made available to us in Christ.  He set a cup of water on the front row of chairs and asked the congregation if anyone was thirsty.  One lady named Susanna raised her hand.  He said, "Okay, here is the water!"  He motioned towards the full glass and smiled.  She remained seated, holding her 3 year old sleeping daughter.  He asked her did the full glass of water quench her thirst?  She shook her head no.  This was when I figured out where he was headed.  We have so much available to us, but we have to put them to use!

II Peter 1:3&4 say, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:  that by these things ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

God has given us how many things that pertain to our life?  ALL.  Did it say only to the preachers?  NOPE.  Did it say only to the woman with a bun in her hair and no makeup?  NOPE.  Did it say only to the mommy who reads her Bible 7 days a weeks and walks ten steps behind her husband in submission?  NOPE.  Did it say only to those whose families are perfect?  NOPE.  Did it say only to the ones who teach Sunday School?  NOPE.

God has given US.  YOU AND ME (CHRISTIANS) ALL....ALL.....ALL things that pertain unto life and godliness.  How did He give it to us?  Through the knowledge of Him.  And through that knowledge we have not just small promises, but EXCEEDING GREAT and PRECIOUS promises!

It is all in the knowledge of Him, and you can't know Him unless you read the Word and find out about Him.  And when you read a little further in this passage you will find that He gives another little formula that says you will not be unfruitful in the knowledge of Jesus Christ!  What is the formula?  You can't just believe, you need to behave!  Add to your faith (your belief in Christ) the following things:

1. Virtue:  That means being morally excellent.  In your actions be morally right.  Whether in business, counsel, or physical.  Be clean, godly and right!

To that add:

2. Knowledge:  That means make an effort to know God.  Pick up that old black Bible and read it.  Don't just talk about it, READ it!  Make an effort to gain more knowledge about God, personally!

To that add:

3. Temperance:  That means use some self control.  If you are fighting hormones, shut your mouth and do everyone a favor and stay off facebook.  Keep your self in check by using that knowledge that God hates a lying tongue and dissention and make yourself just be quiet.  This is a hard thing, but if you are seeking the LORD He will help you.  And if you fail, you can start again clean within the time it takes you to repent and confess.  Self control covers a myriad of things.  Use it.

To that add:

4.  Patience:  Are you suffering or going through a trial?  Stay calm and don't react.  Put that self control into use and your knowledge that God is supreme and in control.  Wait it out because you and I both know, Joy comes in the morning and it is always darkest before dawn.  You can make it.

To that add:

5. Godliness:  Be devout.  Study God's qualities and then ask Him to reproduce them in and through your life.  This is submission to His will and wants.  It will require that you use that patience!

To that add:

6. Brotherly Kindness:  Kind of funny that He put this AFTER adding Godliness.  The Spirit will always show love.  If you are full of the Holy Spirit of God, He can't hate others.  He loves them and He will soften your heart to do the same.  He will make you delight in contributing to the happiness of others.

To that add:

7. Charity:  That is a God given love.  It is not emotionally based OR biased.  It is a product of a spirit filled Christian.

He says that if all these things are in you and abounding, you won't be spiritually barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Wow. Wow. Wow.

Get to know God!

Until next time, Lord willing,
Sheri