The Power of Knowing God

 

To know God personally is to relate to Him intimately as a man “knows” his wife (Genesis 4:1). This is not an intellectual pursuit, but an experienced unity. Knowing God provides us with eternal life (John 17:3). The Jewish culture looked for signs, and the Greek culture craved wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:21). When Christ came, He served as a stumbling block for both cultures; however, to those who are called in Christ, Jesus is both our power and the wisdom of God in us (1 Corinthians 1:22-24).

When I consider the size and magnificence of creation, I cannot comprehend it. It is too magnanimous for me to fathom. The heavens and skies declare the glorious works of God’s hands (Psalm 19:1). God uses creation to preach His gospel (Romans 1:20). Even in countries where missionaries have yet to preach, the heavens are proclaiming His righteousness and the people see His glory (Psalm 97:6).

Those who reject Christ are without excuse, and refrain from believing only because of their rebellion and pride (John 3:18). God does not need natural beauty, skill and talents, just a submissive person, emptied of him/her self. He does not want those who take the credit, only those who give Him the glory. He has no need for excellence, eloquence and elegance in His people. He simply looks for a surrendered life.

We labor with all the energy of Christ’s power working in and through us (Colossians 1:29). This is the same power, which raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him at God’s right hand (Ephesians 1: 19-20). Jesus knew Peter’s habit of depending on the flesh to fight his battles. That is why the transformation in Peter after Pentecost is so amazing! He learned that God needs no human talents or abilities, but only His Spirit working in and through us (Zechariah 4:6; Acts 2:14-36).

Prayer:

Father God, when I lay down to sleep, I remember all that You do for me. I meditate on Your goodness all through the night watches. You are my help, and I hide and rejoice in the shadow of Your wings. My soul clings to You for stability and comfort. You hold me up with Your powerful right hand (Psalm 63:6-8). You are my rock and You bring me true salvation. You are my strong fortress, which prevents me from being shaken by the storms and quakes of life (Psalm 62:2). I depend on You to move in me by the power of your Spirit.  

Thought for the Day:

As Born Again Believers, we walk in the power of knowing God.

Viva la Technolongy

 

Technology improves our human existence in many ways. Among other things, it controls pollution, it keeps us connected all over the world, it controls a car and flies an airplane, it registers the weather and helps us to prepare for it, it gives reviews on information we are interested in, it enhances a surgeon’s ability in the operating room and photographs the inside of our body for medical information, it checks our spelling and it can even research the Bible in an instant.

However, technology can also be an idol in our life. Have you ever noticed that people can no longer sit still? We have electronic devices such as the TV, radio, iPad, iPod, laptops, tablets, smart phones, and the list goes on into infinity. They are always “ON”. We rarely take the time to sit quietly to think or pray. Flashing pictures, text messages and sound waves constantly distract our attention. We have televisions in the kitchen, in the garage and now they are even showing up in the bathroom.

We have several Biblical examples of people who actually walked with God. Enoch walked with God and God took Him home to His house (Genesis 5:22-24). Noah walked with God (Gen 6:9). God walked with the Israelite nation (Exodus 33:14; Leviticus 26:12). The biggest blessing is that God and His Christ make their abode within the heart of anyone who keeps His Word (John 14:23). As we keep His commandments, we dwell in Him, and He dwells in us by His Spirit whom He gives us (1 John 3:24).

I love silence. I spend much of the Night Watch (Psalm 119:148) in silence, listening to the voice of God as He teaches, comforts and inspires me. He pours His love over me like a waterfall and fills my soul with His peace. If I chose to sit in front of the TV or Internet instead, I would miss this wondrous intimacy with my Heavenly Daddy. I can even take this intimacy with me wherever I go, every moment of any day of the week and into any situation. You can too.

Prayer:

Father God, You motivate us to stay in constant fellowship with You and to stand against the temptation to have any idol rule our life. Your presence motivates us and gives us rest. We find favor in Your sight and we are Your people. You distinguish us from all other people, because we belong to You (Exodus 33:14-17; Leviticus 26:12). Thank You for allowing us to be one with You and Your Christ in perfect unity in Your love (John 17:23).

Thought for the Day:

Rejoice, be at peace, be comforted and complete, for the God of love and peace dwells in you. – 2 Corinthians 13:11

Transforming Martha-moments into Mary-miracles

Read: Luke 10:38-42

“My soul waits for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.”  - Psalm 130:6

As a pastor’s wife and mother of three children, I raced through a life full of ministry opportunities. As each day progressed, I went from one Martha-moment of service to another. I cared for my immediate family, as well as my extended family, my church family, my neighbors, my community and my friends around the world.

But at night, when the house settled down, the chores were done, the phone stopped ringing and everyone else slept, my disposition transformed from Martha to Mary. It is in these night watches that I experience the miracle of His presence within me. I enjoy these times, even now that my children are grown and my responsibilities are greatly diminished.

I am still. I take the time to sit at Jesus’ feet. I thank Him for air to breathe, for our daily bread, for flowers that beautify my path and for our blessings in spite of living in a sin-cursed world. I praise Him for being Lord of the universe, as well as my Strong Tower when I am afraid and my Refuge on stormy days. His love cascades over my soul like a waterfall. I find my comfort under the shadow of His wings.

I absorb the ministry from His Spirit, drinking in the true peace and joy that only He can provide. My spirit melds with His Holy Spirit as I receive direction and wisdom for my personal guidance. I experience the Mary-miracles, which can only come from a personal relationship with the Living Lord of the universe. His encouragement refreshes my spirit and prepares me for the next day in my role as Martha.

Then, during the first few hours after midnight, I give in to silent slumber. I am already centered in Him, with my spirit totally focused on Him, even as I sleep. Rising eight hours later, I seek His will for my first efforts of the morning. Then I proceed throughout the day, listening moment by moment to His Spirit’s direction for each task, which He leads me to accomplish during my Martha-moments.

At times, my duties pull me in several directions at once, but His Spirit always tells me what to do and in what order to accomplish them. Satan’s penchant for distracting me from doing the Lord’s will (Psalm 5:8) is tempting; but I surrender instead to God’s plan for my day. As Mary, I already prepared my spirit, soul and body for this new day. As Martha, I find fulfillment in the path He chose for me before the foundation of time (Romans 8:29).

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for being my center, my rock and my shield; but most of all, thank You for being my Savior. Thank You for meeting with me in the night watches and for leading me by Your Spirit moment by moment throughout the day.
 

Thought For The Day:

Stay centered on the true reality of life by focusing on Jesus and His Word.

The Night Watches

Read: Gen 1:1-29

“My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning.” Ps 130:6a KJV

In the Genesis account of creation, God uses the phrase, “The evening and morning were the first day.” He repeats this expression with each consecutive day. I find it interesting that He starts his day in the evening. The Jewish Shabbat, or Sabbath, also started a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening and continued until the appearance of three stars in the sky on Saturday night. It offers an opportunity for the Jewish person to contemplate the spiritual aspects of life and to spend quality time with their family.

The Jews had three Night Watches: The First or “beginning” watch from sunset to ten o'clock, the Second or "middle” watch from ten until two, and the Third or "morning” watch from two to sunrise. Under control of the Roman Empire, Israel actually had four watches: The "even” watch from sunset until nine, the “midnight” watch from nine until midnight, the “cockcrowing” watch from midnight until three, and the “morning" watch from three until six. 

My favorite time is the middle watch. I keep God company from ten at night until two in the morning. I create, translate, contemplate, resonate, speculate, formulate, meditate, investigate and communicate while other people sleep. I email scriptures to hurting people or write encouraging notes. I make crafty items for our personal use or for gifts. I talk to other night owls on the phone. I get free shipping with online shopping, since we rarely have time to shop at the store. I play with our pets and watch a family style movie and enjoy the quiet. I write my devotion and then post it on this online blog. I pray for family and friends as God brings them to my mind. I spend time worshipping and praising our living Lord and enjoying His companionship.

My eyes are wide-awake, my senses are alert and my mind is totally engaged throughout the night watch. I am in very good company. Jesus also prayed all night, “Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12 NKJV

Prayer ~ Lord, as I ponder You on my bed, and reflect on You in the night watches, put Your desires in my heart, lead me according to Your will, inspire me to help those in Your body who are hurting and pour out Your Spirit upon me anew.

Thought for the Day ~ I stay awake throughout the middle night watch and enjoy personal time with my living Lord who dwells within me.