MY GREATEST QUEST IN LIFE:
TO KNOW GOD
I believe that of all the quests mankind seeks to complete but never can, is the quest to know God. By that I mean we can know God in part but we can never know him completely. I am convinced that just as God revealed Himself through nature to the Psalmist and people of old, so God reveals Himself to us today in various and yet incomplete ways
We can also get a glimpse of God through the tender and creative ways of mankind and yet even those glimpses are just that. We can even get a glimpse of God by reading the Bible as it unfolds His many attributes that causes our hearts to soar. One of those attributes that I believe is the greatest is found in I John 4:8. It simply says, “God is love.”
The strength of this word “love” can be defined as both noun and verb. For love not only gives us a description of WHO God is, it also tells us the spirit in which He ACTS. All that God does is love because that is who He is and that can not be any better displayed than when He saw our broken and sinful condition and sent His Son, Jesus, into the world. As it is recorded in John 3:16-17 “For God so loved he world that he gave his one and only Son, and whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but will have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
So it would be through the words, actions, miracles and death on the cross of Jesus Christ that we see God at work revealing His unconditional love for the world and for all of mankind. And while Jesus has ascended to heaven to be with His Heavenly Father the Bible teaches us God has sent His Holy Spirit to come and live in our hearts to guide our lives everyday.
But, the question remains, how can I know God better?
The first thing is to realize that He loves me. God loves me. God loves me and likes me even though I may not be lovable or likable. Stop for a moment and think about that simple truth, "God loves me." I will whisper that to myself. I am getting to know God.
Second, God not only loves me He wants to have a personal relationship with me. This is possible by simply talking to Him as I would talk to my best friend. No fancy words. All I need to do is talk. God will listen to me. I am getting to know God as my friend.
Third, I will need to take the Bible and read the Gospel of John. I don’t need to read it too fast only a few verses at a time. By reading slowly I will allow God’s Holy Spirit to speak to me through His Word. I am getting to know God through his Word.
Fourth, I can take a spiral notebook and write down few things I have just learned about God. As I do this I will begin to remember specific things about God. Sometimes as God’s Spirit speaks to me, I will be reminded of something I have already learned, but there will be other times when He will show me new truths as I get to know Him. The process is beginning to unfold for me.
Fifth, I will need to find a group of friends where I can study the Bible with them on a regular basis. I can share with them what I am learning and they can share with me. I will come to know God better by studying with others.
Sixth, I need to expose myself to the teaching and preaching of God’s Word through the worship of God. In worship, I will sing songs that help me to learn about Him. I will hear messages that will teach me his Word and His Will.
Seventh, as I am getting to know God, my heart will be receptive to not only believe in Him, but also to trust Him and surrender my life to Him. So today, I will begin the journey.
We invite you to join us at First Baptist in the quest of getting to know God. If you are in need of further spiritual counseling and would like to talk to a member of our pastoral staff, please call the church office at 706-595-4252 or email the church. We would love to talk and pray with you.
MY GREATEST QUEST IN LIFE:
TO KNOW GOD
I believe that of all the quests mankind seeks to complete but never can, is the quest to know God. By that I mean we can know God in part but we can never know him completely. I am convinced that just as God revealed Himself through nature to the Psalmist and people of old, so God reveals Himself to us today in various and yet incomplete ways
We can also get a glimpse of God through the tender and creative ways of mankind and yet even those glimpses are just that. We can even get a glimpse of God by reading the Bible as it unfolds His many attributes that causes our hearts to soar. One of those attributes that I believe is the greatest is found in I John 4:8. It simply says, “God is love.”
The strength of this word “love” can be defined as both noun and verb. For love not only gives us a description of WHO God is, it also tells us the spirit in which He ACTS. All that God does is love because that is who He is and that can not be any better displayed than when He saw our broken and sinful condition and sent His Son, Jesus, into the world. As it is recorded in John 3:16-17 “For God so loved he world that he gave his one and only Son, and whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but will have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
So it would be through the words, actions, miracles and death on the cross of Jesus Christ that we see God at work revealing His unconditional love for the world and for all of mankind. And while Jesus has ascended to heaven to be with His Heavenly Father the Bible teaches us God has sent His Holy Spirit to come and live in our hearts to guide our lives everyday.
But, the question remains, how can I know God better?
The first thing is to realize that He loves me. God loves me. God loves me and likes me even though I may not be lovable or likable. Stop for a moment and think about that simple truth, "God loves me." I will whisper that to myself. I am getting to know God.
Second, God not only loves me He wants to have a personal relationship with me. This is possible by simply talking to Him as I would talk to my best friend. No fancy words. All I need to do is talk. God will listen to me. I am getting to know God as my friend.
Third, I will need to take the Bible and read the Gospel of John. I don’t need to read it too fast only a few verses at a time. By reading slowly I will allow God’s Holy Spirit to speak to me through His Word. I am getting to know God through his Word.
Fourth, I can take a spiral notebook and write down few things I have just learned about God. As I do this I will begin to remember specific things about God. Sometimes as God’s Spirit speaks to me, I will be reminded of something I have already learned, but there will be other times when He will show me new truths as I get to know Him. The process is beginning to unfold for me.
Fifth, I will need to find a group of friends where I can study the Bible with them on a regular basis. I can share with them what I am learning and they can share with me. I will come to know God better by studying with others.
Sixth, I need to expose myself to the teaching and preaching of God’s Word through the worship of God. In worship, I will sing songs that help me to learn about Him. I will hear messages that will teach me his Word and His Will.
Seventh, as I am getting to know God, my heart will be receptive to not only believe in Him, but also to trust Him and surrender my life to Him. So today, I will begin the journey.
We invite you to join us at First Baptist in the quest of getting to know God. If you are in need of further spiritual counseling and would like to talk to a member of our pastoral staff, please call the church office at 706-595-4252 or email the church. We would love to talk and pray with you.