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TRULY KNOWING GOD Scripture: Jer 9:23,24 NLT “This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power,or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!” What is Prayer? - Pouring out our heart to God - God revealing himself to us is called Revelation. I Sam 3:21 I Sam 3:19-21 (MSG) The Lord continued to revel himself thourgh His WORD. “Samuel grew up. God was with him, and Samuel’s prophetic record was flawless. Everyone in Israel, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, recognized that Samuel was the real thing—a true prophet of God. God continued to show up at Shiloh, revealed through his word to Samuel at Shiloh.” I Sam 1:20 She named him Samuel, explaining “I asked God for him” (MSG) “Before the year was out, Hannah had conceived and given birth to a son. She named him Samuel, explaining, “I asked God for him.” I Sam 4:1 And Samuel’s word came to all Israel Samuel asked and received the word of God. Then he reflected it through his words and life. For him, it was a way of life. Praying or conversing with GOD should not become a monologue but a dialogue. Num 12:6(NLT) And the Lord said to them, “Now listen to what I say: “If there were prophets among you, I, the Lord, would reveal myself in visions. I would speak to them in dreams.” God talks about the quality of his conversation with Moses. The quantity of prayer time doesn’t guearantee quality. Unless we are intentional in our time alone wiht God we don’t progress in our prayer. Exo 24:2 NLT Treat God special and you will be treated special by God. “Only Moses is allowed to come near to the Lord. The others must not come near, and none of the other people are allowed to climb up the mountain with him.” How is your relationship with God? Is i special compared to all other relationships? Exo 33:11 NLT “ Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting” Moses everyday had a special time in a special place with God and the Lord would speak to him as one speaks to a friend. Psalm 25:14 (MSG) God confides in those whos fear Him. “God-friendship is for God-worshipers; They are the ones he confides in.” TWO TYPES OF DISCIPLES 1. Disciples loved by God John the beloved disciple. It is an open secret to all. 2. Disciples known to God alone I Cor 8:3 NIV, Job1:8 NLT Job is known to God and been noticed by devil. Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.” N.T Eg: Acts 19:15 NLT Paul is famous in heaven and recognised by devil on earth. But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” Jeremiah 9:23, 24 NLT This is what the Lord says:“Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom,or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken! Do we truly know him? Do we know him in person and intimately? When we truly know him we will have nothing to boast. Num 12:3 NLT The more we know about God, the more humble we will be. (Now Moses was very humble—more humble than any other person on earth.) TO KNOW 1. NAKAR(heb) used 50 times in the Bible. It means ot know, request, recognise, pay attention to, to be acquainted with. Gen 27:23 (NIV) Isaac did not receive him (Jacob as Esau) But as he was about to bless him he pressed him, “You’re sure? You are my son Esau?” “Yes. I am.” Basically it means physical appreciation through the senses – sight, touch, smell, hearing etc Ruth 2:19 “the man who took notice of you” Naomi asked her, “So where did you glean today? Whose field? God bless whoever it was who took such good care of you!”Ruth told her mother-in-law, “The man with whom I worked today? His name is Boaz.” Ezra 3:13 No one could distinguish People couldn’t distinguish the shouting from the weeping. The sound of their voices reverberated for miles around. 2. YADA (heb) is used 1040 times in Esentially Yada means 3 things. a) To know by observing and reflecting Gen 8:11 Then Noah knew that the water had receded frm the earth. b) To know by firsthand experience Gen 42:33 This is how i will.... are honest men. By testing and trial ... heart pkays an important role in Deut 8:2-5 v5 – A loving father ‘s discipline c) Yada also means a knowing which one to reflect and learn Gen 12:11 “I know what a beautiful woman you are” Gen 20:12 Both had common dad and different mom. Here the knower has actual involvement with the subject/object of his learning. Gen 39:6 owner Potipher know only about food Gen 4:1 NKJV/NLT Fruitfulness is the result of intimacy or abiding. Abraham knew Sarah everyway possible nad he received a child in his likeness. Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord.” Gen 18:17-19 God knows enough about Abraham and confides in Him “To know” God is to have an intimate experiential knowledge of him. Psalm 95:10 Such knowledge about God can be hindered by a wrongly disposed heart. James 4:7-10 NLT “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. “ Psalm 73:28 NKJV “But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works. “ May God help us to get closer to Him in prayer. Let us know Him in person and intimately as never before. |