Known By God
Have you ever known all about a person without actually knowing the person? Like a favorite actor or athlete – you may know their date of birth, where they went to college, and maybe even their favorite restaurant, but if you were standing right next to them there would be a huge disconnect. The obvious reason for this is that the amount of information you have on a person will never be an equal substitute for actually knowing them. Far too often we do this exact thing with God.
God desires a relationship, and we tend to simply gather information.
No one would ever attempt to build a friendship with someone by requesting a four page essay on their likes and dislikes as if they were going to study them in order to ace a quiz. No, building a relationship happens by spending time together. Talking over Saturday morning coffee, having the family over for game night, spending time on the phone mourning the loss of a loved one– these are the intimate moments that create a relationship.
Journal: What are some ways that you can create relationship-building moments with God?
One of the reasons we often tend towards gathering information about God is because it is easier for us to be in control of what we intake that way. We choose which books we read, which podcasts we listen to, or even where and when we feel like going to church. This allows us to keep our walls up, but God is really after intimacy and vulnerability with His children.
Journal: Why do I have such a hard time being fully vulnerable with God?
For many of us, there is an innate fear of being vulnerable because we have been let down in the past. We have had promises broken by those we have trusted the most; but God is a good Father who loves His children in ways we cannot even comprehend.
“You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”—Luke 11:11-13 NLT
The Lord will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession.—Psalm 94:14 NLT
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.—Matthew 6:25-30a NLT
Journal: Write about a time when you have seen the provision of our Heavenly Father in your life.
It is a beautiful thing to know that even though God desires for us to have a deep, personal relationship with Him, we are the ones who receive the ultimate benefit. As we continue to let down our walls and grow in our relationship with Him, we get to walk in the fullness of all that God has for us. He created and redeemed us to be His children both now and forever.
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. -1Peter 1:3-5 NLT
Activation: Get creative with growing a relationship with God. Go on a walk or have a cup of coffee with Him. Branch out this week and do something to build a deeper relationship with Him.
Prayer Prompt: Pray that God will show you the areas where you struggle to trust in Him. Ask God to break down the walls you have built and to lead you into a continually growing relationship with Him.
God desires a relationship, and we tend to simply gather information.
No one would ever attempt to build a friendship with someone by requesting a four page essay on their likes and dislikes as if they were going to study them in order to ace a quiz. No, building a relationship happens by spending time together. Talking over Saturday morning coffee, having the family over for game night, spending time on the phone mourning the loss of a loved one– these are the intimate moments that create a relationship.
Journal: What are some ways that you can create relationship-building moments with God?
One of the reasons we often tend towards gathering information about God is because it is easier for us to be in control of what we intake that way. We choose which books we read, which podcasts we listen to, or even where and when we feel like going to church. This allows us to keep our walls up, but God is really after intimacy and vulnerability with His children.
Journal: Why do I have such a hard time being fully vulnerable with God?
For many of us, there is an innate fear of being vulnerable because we have been let down in the past. We have had promises broken by those we have trusted the most; but God is a good Father who loves His children in ways we cannot even comprehend.
“You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”—Luke 11:11-13 NLT
The Lord will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession.—Psalm 94:14 NLT
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.—Matthew 6:25-30a NLT
Journal: Write about a time when you have seen the provision of our Heavenly Father in your life.
It is a beautiful thing to know that even though God desires for us to have a deep, personal relationship with Him, we are the ones who receive the ultimate benefit. As we continue to let down our walls and grow in our relationship with Him, we get to walk in the fullness of all that God has for us. He created and redeemed us to be His children both now and forever.
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. -1Peter 1:3-5 NLT
Activation: Get creative with growing a relationship with God. Go on a walk or have a cup of coffee with Him. Branch out this week and do something to build a deeper relationship with Him.
Prayer Prompt: Pray that God will show you the areas where you struggle to trust in Him. Ask God to break down the walls you have built and to lead you into a continually growing relationship with Him.
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