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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Sunday, 3 March 2024:
Psalm 9:1 – I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
The habit of praising God publicly keeps you on track and points the Way to others.
Psalm 9:10 — And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
How well do you really know God? Not how well you know ‘about’ God, but ‘know’ God? Jesus came that we could truly “know Him who is true.” (1 John 5:20) In fact Jesus said that eternal life is knowing God – “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3) The better you truly know God, the more you will trust Him (faith), love Him, and obey Him and the more you will grow in the big three Christian attributes – faith, hope (faith projected forward), and love. Paul reminds us that among these three, love is the greatest, but he also tells us that love rests on faith – “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (1 Timothy 1:5) Love is the greatest mark of faith and true relationship with God – “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7) “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:8) The one who knows God and loves God, obeys God – “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (1 John 2:3, 4) Jesus said that his sheep not only know his voice, but they also follow him. (John 10) In fact, it is in the following that we grow in the knowing, trusting, loving, and obeying. We grow in our trust through personal experience in the faithfulness of God. Knowing God is not just reading about God, it is about walking with God and seeking Him with all of our heart. Knowing God is about relationship, not religion. Witnesses testify to what they have experienced first-hand, not about what they have heard about (that is hearsay). Our witness to others is only powerful when it is first-hand. Paul said, “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:8-11) “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2) Knowing God, trusting Him, loving Him, and obeying Him, is a growth process – “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)
Though we have a relationship with God, we must pursue greater relationship with God – “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22) So, how well do you know God? Do you desire to know him further? Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24) Today is a new day.
Psalm 9:13 — O Lord, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death.
How are you trying to solve your relationship problems and the injustices you are experiencing? Go to God. He controls everything including the hearts of people.
Psalm 9:17 — The wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget God.
What happens when a nation makes laws contrary to God’s laws?
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 3 March 2024: Today, focus on truly knowing Jesus. Walk with Him and talk with Him.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 