Know God
Are You a Friend or a Fan?
What if the Gospel of Jesus was an invitation to know God?
-Donald Miller, Searching for God Knows What
Getting to know God can sometimes be confused with becoming a fan of God.
Are you a God fan?
When I was growing up, I was an Amy Grant fan. I owned most of her albums and could sing the words to many of her songs. My concer T-shirt was worn until it was worn out. Christmas came, and I watched her special on television. I read all about her in CCM Magazine.
If asked, I could tell you a lot of things about Amy. Okay, I'm still a fan.
Funny thing, though. I'll bet if I knocked on her door tomorrow, she would not invite me into her house.
Amy doesn't know me, and as much as I may know about her, I don't know Amy.
Hmm. I remember a similar story in Matthew 7:21-23.
Jesus said that there would be many who would claim a connection with him, but he would not know them, and they would not enter the kingdom of heaven.
If you don't know God, you're not invited to his house.
What if you know God, but you're just not letting him get too close?
You get the idea that knowing God is different than believing in God. You have a relationship with him.
How close is that relationship?
Are you falling head over heels in love, getting to know his character fully, or memorizing doctrine and principles to sound spiritual at church?
I don't know why we are so quick to miss this, but God really does love us. He doesn't want us to worry and stress.
Let down that "church-woman" guard, fall into his arms, and tell him everything. He wants us to rest and lean upon him, trusting fully in his grace and power.
You can only have that kind of trust in someone that you know well, and you cannot get to know him if you are too busy serving him or studying about him to sit with him.
All of those church commitments and responsibilities are great; just don't let them get in the way of your relationship with God.
Would you let your husband get away with that?
What if your husband did not give you the time of day for a couple weeks at a time because he was too busy reading and studying about marriage?
I don't think you would be flattered if he traced your family history or studied your interests but he never bothered to sit with you and talk about it. You won't be impressed that he knows your favorite dinner if he never shares a meal with you.
Relationships are relationships. Getting to know someone requires you to give them a time of undivided attention.
If you want to know God, you will have to give him the same. You might even become his friend.
How do you preserve your quiet time?
Sometimes it is very hard to preserve our quiet time. Do you have ideas and tips on how to do this? Share them here.
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Discipleship Resources
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Drawing Women Closer to the Heart of God, DVD By Beverly LaHaye / Word Entertainment Inc |
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When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference By Carolyn Custis James / Zondervan |
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My Utmost For His Highest, Classic Edition, Mass Market Paperback By Oswald Chambers / Barbour Publishing |
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The Practice of the Presence of God By Brother Lawrence / Baker |
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O2: Breathing New Life into Faith By Richard Dahlstrom / Harvest House Publishers |
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The Beloved Disciple: Following John to the Heart of Jesus By Beth Moore / B & H Publishing Group |
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The Beloved Disciple: Following John to the Heart of Jesus (abridged on 3 Compact Discs) By Beth Moore, Sandra Burr / Brilliance Audio |
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John: 90 Days with the Beloved Disciple By Beth Moore / B & H Publishing Group |
Discipleship Resources
|
Drawing Women Closer to the Heart of God, DVD By Beverly LaHaye / Word Entertainment Inc |
|
When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference By Carolyn Custis James / Zondervan |
|
My Utmost For His Highest, Classic Edition, Mass Market Paperback By Oswald Chambers / Barbour Publishing |
|
The Practice of the Presence of God By Brother Lawrence / Baker |
|
O2: Breathing New Life into Faith By Richard Dahlstrom / Harvest House Publishers |
|
The Beloved Disciple: Following John to the Heart of Jesus By Beth Moore / B & H Publishing Group |
|
The Beloved Disciple: Following John to the Heart of Jesus (abridged on 3 Compact Discs) By Beth Moore, Sandra Burr / Brilliance Audio |
|
John: 90 Days with the Beloved Disciple By Beth Moore / B & H Publishing Group |
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