Good morning dear brothers and sisters!
Let’s take a look together at an amazing Scripture from Philippians 3:7-10. This expresses my heart as I know it does yours. It says,
- I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of KNOWING CHRIST JESUS my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with Him…I want to KNOW CHRIST and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead.
Today, we have access to a Resurrected Jesus. And when we embrace His presence, our weaknesses are transformed into strength, our tears turn to joy, and our lack turns into abundance. When we behold Him through prayer, the study of His Word, and through praise and worship, the Holy Spirit transforms us into His image and lineness. We can KNOW the power of His Resurrection!
Psalm 16:11 says,
- You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
We will experience joy when we KNOW HIM. Joy isn’t based on external circumstances. It comes from within our recreated human spirit. It’s a supernatural power that enables us to do all things. The Scripture declares in Nehemiah 8:10 that the joy of the Lord is our strength. If we don’t walk in His joy by KNOWING HIM, we won’t be strong in the Lord. We’ll feel exhausted and worn out by life. But when we meditate on His Word, we’ll reap joy from what we know. I want to exhort you that you can experience the presence of the Lord every day ~ I do and it’s wonderful!
We can also experience the power of His Resurrection right now! Mary Magadalene’s weeping was turned into joy (John 20:13-18). Jesus’ disciples changed from being fearful to having peace (John 20:19-26). I’m family, we are so blessed to believe in Him, although we have not yet seen Him (John 20:27-29).
KNOWING GOD is the key to trusting Him with all your heart. Psalm 9:10 (AMP) says,
- And they who KNOW YOUR NAME [who have experience and acquaintance with Your mercy] will lean on and confidently put their trust in You.
Getting to KNOW GOD better is no different from getting to know a friend better. The more you spend time with them, the more you open your heart to them. You listen to them and make an effort to bless them and do what makes them happy. This is the same with the Lord!
God’s arms are outstretched to you today, inviting you to come to Him and experience what you were created for: KNOWING HIM.
In John 17:3, Jesus said when He was praying to the Father,
- And this is the way to have eternal life – TO KNOW YOU, the Only True God, and Jesus Christ, the One you sent to earth.
By meditating on scriptures that talk about the character of God – His love, mercy, compassion, kindness, and goodness – you will find yourself drawing closer to Him. KNOWING GOD more and more will build your ability to trust Him with your whole life.
Desiring to KNOW HIM more,
Lisa Gordon
Assistant Pastor
Jesus City Church