Don’t be Afraid

Don’t let fear keep you from doing what you know is right.

Knowing About Jesus

“I get paid as a lawyer to collect information and memorize facts, and I’ve gotten really good at it. What I realized about my faith is that I was doing just that, collecting information and memorizing things about God. I collected pictures and gathered artifacts and bumper stickers about Christianity, and I talked about knowing Jesus like we were best friends, when actually, we really hardly knew each other at all. And I memorized Bible verses and the names of the books of the Bible in order and the sequence of a bunch of events as well as who was there. At some point I had to confess that I was stalking Jesus. I was actually creeping myself out a little and I realized I was probably creeping God out too. So I decided to stop.” – Bob Goff, Love Does

Trump

One of the reasons hearing from God is such a difficult topic is that people use the words “God told me” in far more situations than He actually did. The phrase is so overused that it not only clouds the issue but too often closes minds to the possibility. “God told me” can be used to trump almost anything. Often it even contradicts God Himself. You can see how disconcerting this could be. The important thing to keep in mind with this is that though God is unique and wants that kind of relationship with us, He will never violate who He is. You will never hear something from Him that would go against His nature or ask you to violate His Word. So you can see how important knowing Him is.

How real is God?

Over the next several days let’s take a look at some of the varying degrees we allow God into our lives. Everyone has a perception of God and that view affects us immensely. I know God’s desire is for our understanding of Him to increase no matter what we believe today and that He wants this understanding to grow into knowing Him on a very personal basis. It’s possible for our connection with Him to be the deepest and most honest relationship we could possibly know. So let’s see where we are with God as well as where others may have Him so we can draw closer while helping those around us get nearer too.

God’s Voice

My friend Jackson explained knowing God’s voice the other day. He said, “It’s like knowing my mom’s voice. I know her so well and have spent so much time with her that of course I know it’s her. Hearing God is just like that. We can know Him so well there is no doubt that it’s Him.” I admire your son Janie, he brings you honor.