Joe’s devotion is in the White House Connection newspaper this week!
http://www.connectionwh.com/so-you-want-to-know-god–cms-3169
If you would like to subscribe to receive the hard copy of the newspaper, sign up at the link below: The newspaper is free for 3 years and is delivered every Tuesday. The website does not state if you have to live in White House, TN to receive the newspaper. http://www.connectionwh.com/store.php
Many people say they want to know God and/or God’s plan for their life. However, they may not realize what resource they need in order to find the true image of God. Jesus said to Philip in John 14:9 that if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father. Hebrews 1:3 and Colossians 1:15 says that Jesus is the image of the Father. John 1:1 and 1:14 says that Jesus is the Word (Bible). If Jesus is the image of the Father and He is the Word, then we should get to know the Word or Bible in order to know Him. If you want to know God then go to His Word (not the opinion of people), because His Word reveals who He is; His love, His character and how He interacts with people. Psalm 119:105, says that His Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our Path. Isaiah 55:8-9 says that His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Moreover Psalm 25:9 says that God will teach His ways to those who are humble. Therefore, we can know God and His ways.
If God reveals Himself to the humble and we find Him through humility, then we need to practice humility? Humility is choosing to give up your plans for someone else’s, in this case your plan for God’s plan. Jeremiah 29:11 says that God has a plan for your life, and that plan is for good and not evil, to give you a future so that your expectation will not be cut off. However, as stated above, you will never know God or His plan for your life unless you walk humbly before God. One way of thinking about humility is to consider the analogy of driving a car. If you are in the driver’s seat you most likely are deciding where to go and where to turn because you are in control. However, if you were to get out of the driver’s seat and let someone else drive, they would make those decisions. That is what God is asking you to do. Get out of the driver’s seat and let Him make the decisions for your life.
Why should you let God make the decisions? Psalm 32:8, says that He will instruct you and teach you in the way in which you should go, and that He will guide you with His eye. For this reason alone, because He can see much further than you, it is in your best interest to let Him lead. He wants to make your life safe and sound, but He can only do that if you follow Him. Jesus said in John 10:10, that the thief (Satan) comes to steal, kill and destroy, but He came that you might have life and have life abundantly. 3 John 2 states that He wishes above all things that you prosper, that you be in health as your soul prospers. If God wants you to be safe and prosper, then He will lead you to the right places that bring health, safety and prosperity. That is what David said in Psalm 23; He leads me into green pastures, He leads beside the still waters, He restores my soul, etc… If you choose to stay in the driver’s seat, you will be making all the decisions and you may or may not make the right ones. However, if you invite Jesus into your life, let Him in the driver’s seat, and get into and obey the Word you will begin to know His overall plan for your life and live in peace knowing that He is directing your steps and protecting you, Psalm 34:7, Psalm 91:1-16.
ACTION: Follow these simple steps to get to know God and His plan for your life:
Get Born Again (or rededicate your life) – tell God that you are sorry for running your own life and that today you are getting out of the driver’s seat and getting in the back seat, accepting Jesus as your Savior; John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10, Romans 12:1, Acts 4:12, 1 John 1:9, Psalm 25:9, Proverbs 14:12
- Read the Bible every day and humble yourself before God (stay in the backseat), Matthew 6:33, Romans 10:17, Psalm 119:105, 130, Jeremiah 29:13, John 8:31-32, Matthew 23:12.
- Do what you read in the Bible, if it says “give thanks in everything”, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, then give thanks in everything. If it says “overcome evil by doing good”, Romans 12:21, then overcome evil by doing good, etc… James 1:21-22, John 14:21
- Hide the Word of God in your mind. This is the only way that you will walk as an overcomer in this world. Romans 12:2, Psalm 119:9-11, Joshua 1:8, Revelation 12:11, Proverb 4:20-22
- Get involved in a church that will encourage you to get into the Word and teach you how to apply the Word of God to your everyday life; Hebrews 10:24, Hebrews 5:11-14, John 14:21, Luke 8:21
- Follow the Lord in water Baptism; Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Romans 6:1-11
- Receive the Holy Spirit; He is your Helper and He will lead you into ALL truth, Luke 11:13, John 14:15-17, 14:26, John 16:13, Acts 1:8, Ephesians 5:18
To confirm what is written above, a study of “Bible engagement”, LifeWay Research surveyed churchgoers and found that while 90 percent “desire to please and honor Jesus in all they do,” only 19 percent personally read the Bible every day. Only 19%! So it should not be surprising that the Barna Group did a separate study and found, “less than 20% of people who attend church actually feel close to God on even a monthly basis.” Over 80% of church goers DON’T feel close to God. Do you see the correlation? 19% of churchgoers regularly read their Bible daily and less than 20% of churchgoers feel close to God! This is NO coincidence. This is why few Christians know the will and plan of God for their lives (Matthew 7:13-14). If you want to be close to God and know His plan for your life, read the Bible daily and be obedient to what It says by applying the Word of God to your life!
