Knowing Him-Knowing You
Sunday, June 14, 2020 Good morning, Lord V.O.D.: So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.—Genesis 1:27 M.O.M.: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 In a year: Nehemiah 1-3 Acts 2:1-21
Knowing Him-Knowing You
Peace-contentment-inner joy-the joy of the Lord. These are not to be sought after. They are learned day to day trial by trial. How do I know this? Philippians 4: 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Paul said he could do it all because of 'Him'. Paul knew that knowing the Lord as well as He could-seeking Him as much as He could-was the reason he could be content.
If our minds are fixed on Christ and following Him and worshipping Him, Romans 12:1&2, when the trials hit, we do not have to go running to the cross-we are there. Trials and pain only make the fact that we are close to the Lord sweeter. Yes, there may be times of anger and fist shaking at God; there may be time of crying out from real inner pain-but just on the back side of the screams-when we are getting the next breath-we already realize that God is there. He is right where He said He would be because He has never walked away.
Knowing Christ intimately means really knowing ourselves. Being truthful with God means that we have uncovered all we have tried to hide. Uncovering all that means that we have dealt with it and can move on. Seeking God means taking our weaknesses before the throne constantly and this truth is where the Holy Spirit moves and works in us and grows us.
Paul knew his own reactions to pain and knew well how God sustained Paul's own contentment because he had been there so often.
How well we know ourselves in Christ, then, depends solely on how much we seek God-on how deeply we know Him. This comes one step at a time-one thing, then, the next-good time or bad. Seeking God constantly means keeping our consciousness of Him in our lives fresh and vibrant and vigorous.
Paul said that he had learned the 'secret to being content' in every situation. How? He was seeking God as he entered each new situation. The secret is being faithful-constant faithfulness to the heart of God.
Have you discovered this secret? It is an ongoing, life in Christ, lesson. It takes this everyday and all day: Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
This will never change. No matter how 'mature' we become, we must still humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, take up our crosses and follow Him in obedience. There is no other way but the real way, the truth and the life.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven, Forgive me for complaining and seeking the wrong direction. I want to seek You and let all the other pieces fall into place. Merciful and nurturing God and Father! In the name of Jesus, Amen