KNOWLEDGE OF GOD – WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT HIM
We can have knowledge about someone through the testimony of another like a friend or relative.
Share a Moment: Describe someone in the group that you met today without looking at them?
Jabez is mentioned one time in the bible and his prayer is one that many are familiar with. I remember when it seemed as if everyone was reciting this prayer after “The Prayer of Jabez” book came out by Bruce Wilkinson. It seemed as if what Bruce had to say about Jabez was more than what the Bible had to say about him. What did Bruce know about Jabez? Bruce never met Jabez. He wasn’t from the same nation or century as him. So how was Bruce able to write such a powerful best seller little pocket book that impacted my life? Bruce wrote about what he knew about Jabez based on what the culture and era Jabez lived, what was mentioned about his character, and what others said about him. Bruce could relate to Jabez…a man he never met.
Through the prayer of Jabez, we can hear the words of a common man, who is desperate but not demanding, righteous but humble. He was God’s friend, and not his enemy. Jabez was a man who knew God’s ways and he had a relationship with God his maker even though Jabez never physically saw God. What did Jabez know about God? He knew God would answer his honest request because he knew his relationship with God was righteous. Jabez also knew God’s nature to know the intentions of his heart.
We can have knowledge about God through the testimony from others.
This is one way that the Spirit of the Knowledge of the Lord is manifested. When you are able to read God’s Word and what He says about Himself, a bond happens. It’s when you are able to believe that God will do what He promised. Jabez knew he could call on God. Jabez may have heard about God through his family since he was a descendant of Judah. Jabez knew his name meant that he brought his mother pain – he would carry that identity for the rest of his life if….If only there was a way to fix it. Jabez prayed specifically to his need and desire. He knew the same promise for his ancestors would be his if he just asked. Guess what? God granted him exactly what Jabez requested.
It would seem as if Jabez’s prayer was selfish, but he was an honorable man. He was not asking for himself, he was asking for his generations to come. And Jabez knew his identity with pain, harm, hurt, or evil. (Depends on what translation you read) He wants pain, harm, hurt, and evil to be far away from him. Jabez knew his identity in God who heals and delivers. Jabez knew God and God knew Jabez by relationship, trust, and faith.
Let’s read: 1 Chronicles 4:10 - And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
By the way…why was Jabez’s request granted? He knew God knew the intention of his heart. When you know whose you are, you too will know that you can ask for what you really need. Not out of selfish ambition or gain, but according to the need. I believe the best part of Jabez’s prayer we can all learn from is the final words he says…keep me from evil. What would happen if only half of the request was granted? It’s about the personal relationship you have with the Father.
Example: Food Stamps and Gum. Even though I misquoted, I knew God would answer my request.
Ask Questions – Like a student who wants to know, not just one who wants information.
When you want to know something, you ask questions. What happens when we get older? We are discouraged from asking questions. We are supposed to know already. We give information based on what we have been taught. But do we really know? Do we want to know? I believe children with inquisitive minds are sponges. It is important to tell them what they need to know. They will repeat what you told them and believe it as truth because they trust you to guide them correctly.
Example: Little Emma was about 4 years old. I asked Emma if she had Jesus in her heart. She said yes. She said I love Jesus and he loves me because I asked him to come inside when I was little. Then I asked her, how did he get there? She picked up her shirt and pointed to her belly button. That was close enough.
When children ask a question, do you just give them an answer so that they can leave you alone? And if you don’t know the answer, do you help the child search, or do you just brush them off?
I know this can feel exhausting, but let's see how God deals with what we know. The book of Job is riddled with answers that sound lofty, helpful, or intelligent. Job’s friends gave advice without knowing the fullness of a situation from God’s perspective. I wonder how many times we have frustrated God with our questions. Especially when we ask Why? Why did this happen to me? Why am I going through this? Why am I in this situation? But the Lord doesn’t get tired of us asking Him questions. He does however prefer that you ask him questions that He wants to answer. He wants you to ask him questions you really want answers for. Asking why questions only get you the answers of information, but not change. Let’s practice by asking the Lord How? When? Where? Who? And What?
Change the dialogue from Why am I going through this trial? to How am I going to grow to from this trial? When do you want me to intervene in a personal situation? Where do you want me to focus? Who do you want me to bless? What direction do you want me to go? Consider how God starts to ask Job questions. This was not a test of comprehension or because God was upset with Job. It was to get Job to think, not about his own situation, though it was traumatic. It was to let Job think that God has the answers to every single question He had asked. I love where God challenges Job with simple questions.
Let’s read: Job 38:19 God asks Job: Where is the way to the home of light? Do you know where darkness resides?
God Asked Questions – Like a teacher who wants you to know.
These questions were beyond Job’s comprehension, but God knew the answer. Sure, Job could have come up with an answer himself, but it is the Lord’s desire to share more than what is at the surface of the question. Sometimes I ask questions as a teacher not because I don’t have an answer, but to give those in the class an opportunity to share what they know. Then I can expound on the truths.
The spirit of the knowledge of God is the answer that has eternal truths. His answer doesn’t change. His knowledge surpasses your situation. When you begin to ask God questions, know that He already has the answer. Try to avoid asking the Why questions and ask God questions for answers you really want to know. He says ask of me and I will show you.
Example: My Brother's Divorce about the stars in the sky.
Share A Moment: Take a minute to ask the Lord what He wants you to know right now?
Believe: No other prerequisites are necessary.
The new and old testaments have one guideline to follow in order for anyone to come to the knowledge of God. The greatest secret about the Spirit of the knowledge of God is He wants us to know him. A child is capable of knowing the difference between good and evil. It is the one thing that is the hardest to do for those who are atheists or unbelievers. It was even hard for the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Nicolaitans.
Pharisees were members of an ancient Jewish sect, distinguished by strict observance of the traditional and written law. Sadducees were considered to be bivocational with roles in various political, social, and religious groups and the upper social and economic echelon of Judean society. The Nicolaitans were from the Early Christians who incorporated pagan culture into the church. Example would be like having a special holiday for the “love feasts” to honor Aphrodite.
See, all God wants us to do is to believe. To believe in Him, to believe His Word, to believe His Son, to believe in everything He has promised. Many scriptures point people to Jesus by telling them to believe. It wasn’t about getting cleaned up first or getting rid of bad habits, or going through 10 step classes before someone can be a follower.
There was the Torah first five books of Moses and Tanauk that included the books of the prophets and writings from the original Hebrew texts. This had God’s rules for life in this world. But man-made laws became so difficult to even those who wrote them broke them. There were strict rules, ordinances, doctrines, programs, classes, schools that had people work their way into (a man-made) salvation. These man-made rules found in the Talmud sounded like God’s commandments, but they took the Original Hebrew texts and dissected them to questions and answers from those considered to be sages. Today we call that type of writing commentaries. It was to be used as a resource, not as the Written Word of God.
Believe: Even before you see!
The simplest of all rules yet it was most difficult for legalists, religious, or intellectuals to follow was to Believe. Jesus said Believe, you only need to believe. Believe for what? Believe for your finances, believe for your healing, believe for your salvation, Believe for your family. Believe all that Jesus said he would do, He will do it for you. Jesus said if you don’t believe what I have told you, believe in what you have seen. Then the multitude came and believed.
In the book of Acts chapter 16 we are given the example of the jailer who saw Paul and Silas singing and praising God. When the earthquake shook the foundations and the doors of the prison were opened, the jailer asked, what must I do to be saved? In the same chapter, we read the answer.
I’ll read: Acts 16:31 Paul and Silas replied, get rid of your cigarettes, go get better clothes, wait until the bishop comes to town, go give all your money to us, go to the 10 step foundation classes so that you can know what to do to be saved. NO, that was not what was required.
Acts 16:31 really says - They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household."
We are followers of Jesus because we believed. We know that there is more required, there is grace and time for sanctification. But first, we must believe. Believing is having a glimpse of knowledge but not having it all yet. It’s okay. That will come. But first, we must believe. When you believe, you are able to know the deeper things of God. The spirit of the knowledge of the Lord is to believe when you have not yet been able to see.
The opposite of believing is doubt. Doubt keeps us from knowing the truth of all that God really has for us. Start to receive His promises of love, healing, provision, everything He has just for you. Let us do a heart check. Is there anything stopping you from believing?
Example: The lady with a fat hand. She had a spirit of doubt.
Share A Moment: What did you believe for and saw the Lord answer?
Parables to the groups.
Anyone who knows me for a little while may think of me as someone who is friendly or puny. I have always used stories that share a little bit about a topic I may be speaking on when I speak to larger groups. Very few will private message me to ask me what I meant by a certain short phrase they may have heard during the message.
Yes, some have also been offended…imagine that…simply because they misunderstood, didn’t ask for clarification, or didn’t know me personally. Has that ever happened to you? I’m sure some of you can relate. The closer someone knows you the easier it is for them to relate to you or ask for clarification. Not to worry if you offend people by telling stories. Jesus did it too. Though it was not his intention, those who really wanted to understand asked Jesus to explain.
In John 16:25 we read - I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. An hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you this way but will tell you plainly about the Father.
And the disciples still didn’t understand that Jesus was not speaking in a parable. He was speaking from His heart about what was getting ready to happen to him. Just a few verses afterward, in John 16:29 His disciples said, Yes, now you are speaking plainly not in any figure of speech. It’s like now the disciples knew that Jesus knew all things, even their thoughts, and questions. Their mind was opened to the truth. After they knew what Jesus was telling them, they did not ask for interpretation anymore because they were given the spirit of knowledge of God’s purpose and did not question that Jesus came from God.
Truth for those who really want to know.
Jesus knew their thoughts, their fears, their heart. Every parable answered those questions. Those who really wanted to know asked for clarification. The Spirit of the knowledge of God in our lives can be noted not by how much we know, but rather by how much we know the Father. Jesus gives us the example of ministering to the multitude through stories that are relatable to everyday life. For the fewer that continued to follow and asked he gave clarification. And for the handful that remained, Jesus shared His heart.
Example: The parable of my friend who used the parable of the free ticket to a concert that she used to help me learn about salvation. I grew to know more about her and she knew more about me. She knew when I was sad or disturbed even if I didn’t tell her. I also knew more about her as I would spend time with her.
I don’t know about you, but I am learning the more I know about the story writers and storytellers, there is a deeper word of knowledge to grasp. It’s not to know what the author knows but to know the Author of the Word. That is our ultimate goal to give people the opportunity to know the Father, to know the Word, to know the Author of our faith.
How can we do the same? Share in parables for the multitude, then as those who want to know more, there is fellowship, Kononia. There is an exchange with knowledge of someone to knowing someone. Some will say, I know of God, but wouldn’t it be better if we would all say I KNOW GOD.
Prophesy - Speak Lord I’m Listening
Today with all the technology we have, we have access to so much knowledge. Could you imagine Noah getting direct orders from the Lord and then Google searching the word “acacia wood?” Noah would have enough information about the acacia tree to understand what it looked like. But if he started to research the word acacia wood, he could have learned more about it and maybe go to Wikipedia to learn just a little bit more learning the region this tree grew and how its structure was full of thorns, and how tall the tree was only to probably go on a rabbit trail because Noah may have wanted to know more about the honey-sweet smell of the wood, and get caught up in thought about all he learned and share with his friends on Facebook and messenger, only to find himself stuck trying to remember the full instructions as to what he was supposed to do with the acacia wood.
He could have forgotten the dimensions of how wide he was to have the acacia wood logs and may have a small boat or a sunken ship. Is anyone else here happy that Noah didn’t have Google? So how did the Spirit of the knowledge of the Lord help Noah? Through the spoken word of God. This is known as prophecy. To prophecy means to relay the Spoken Word of God. Prophecy and interpretation are different but can function together.
Prophecy is a direct word. No interpretation is needed. Interpretation is when clarity is necessary. The confusion begins when people start trying to interpret what God is saying, instead of just saying what God is saying. If God says he likes chocolate ice cream, the word relayed should be God says He likes chocolate ice cream. Instead, there may some who relay the information incorrectly by saying God says he likes chocolate ice and cream, or God says he likes brown ice cream. Oh and what about the nay sayers who will debate that chocolate ice cream is not good for you. Warning: when you hear the Lord speak, don’t Google search.
How does the Lord speak? He speaks audibly; he speaks through his written word. He speaks through dreams and visions. He speaks through the prophets. In the book of
Numbers 12:6 - The Lord said to Aaron and Miriam, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, shall make Myself known to him in a vision. I shall speak with him in a dream.
But like Noah, God spoke directly to Moses. There are prophets and sometimes there is competition. Eeeke, did I say that! See Aaron and Miriam could also prophesy it was not uncommon but few could hear God. After hearing the Lord, Noah did not doubt. Moses did not doubt. They might have been afraid or didn’t feel adequate to do such a great task that was required but God did give them everything they needed to complete the task. What has the Lord said to you to do and have not yet done? Maybe while you are doing that one thing, God would enlarge your territory too.
How were they able to fulfill the prophecy? They obeyed God. They didn’t look for interpretation; they weren’t looking for what the other prophets had to say. They did what God told them. How many of us are guilty of looking for the next new prophetic word for the year? How many Google searches were there on what others were hearing or seeing? I am not against the knowledge of man, or what the Lord is showing them. But how much better would it be if we would be able to hear for ourselves. Can we say, Speak to me, Lord, I’m listening. I do not want to be a prophet who gets excited that you give me dreams and visions, but that you fulfill what you promised and make yourself known to me, face to face. What is the Lord saying to you today?
· Show Me Lord through Dreams and Visions
Example: Dream of Volcanoes of Fire and Water
Example: Open Vision of Heaven Revelation 4
You are called to share what you know.
If I told you apples were red, you would probably agree with me because you have seen red apples. If I said that apples were green, you would most likely disagree if you have never seen a green apple. But there are various colors and various uses for apples.
Why would it be necessary to know the various colors and uses for apples? It is so we can identify their purpose and best use. There are apples that are better for baking, and some apples that are better for apple juice. The spirit of the knowledge of the Lord allows us to know so many facets (fruits) of His Spirit. How does one know the spirit of God, look at the fruit? Is there love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?
If we walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in all respects. we bear fruit in every good work and we are increasing in the knowledge of God according to Colossians 1:10. If we live by the Spirit of the Lord then we are also guided by the Spirit of the Lord. If we are guided by the Spirit of the Lord then we are blessed with every spiritual blessing (gift) in heavenly places as mentioned in:
Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
Can we know love? Can we know Joy? Can we know Peace? The Spirit of Love, the spirit of Joy, the spirit of Peace is the Spirit of the Lord. A child can know love, joy, and peace and it blesses God to give us this fruit. Red apples, green apples, yellow apples, small apples, large apples. To gain the full knowledge of the Spirit of the Lord is to eat, taste, and see that the Lord is good. You have to know what to do with the apples (fruit). You have to know the importance of the Spirit of God in you. It blesses the Lord to give you the fruit and use it appropriately. What are you doing with your fruit?
Who have you shared your fruit with? How are you blessing someone with every spiritual blessing that has been given to you? The spirit of the knowledge of the Lord allows you to share the fruit you have been given. When you don’t share the fruit you have been given, when you don’t share the spiritual blessing, the fruit becomes rotten. Does anyone here want to be rotten fruit?
Share A Moment: Do you know what you are called to do?
Sometimes we walk around not knowing who we are in Christ. We have been equipped with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places that is ours. You have been equipped with good fruit, to be able to do what God has called you to do. Some are prophets, some evangelists, some pastors, some apostles, some teachers, some writers, some singers, some carpenters, some bakers, some mothers, some caregivers, some nurses, some accountants, some missionaries, some ……
What is the purpose of fruit? To produce more fruit. Go therefore and make disciples. As we go through our day, we should know without a shadow of a doubt that every good and perfect gift comes from God and He will give us everything we need. No matter what is happening around the world, you are not powerless, you are not hopeless, you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength to be like Him, and know Him so that you can know God.
Share A Moment: What is holding you back from what God has called you to do?
Example: The woman who was healed with a back issue in Matehuala.
Acknowledge / Recognize / Testify
When I was growing up I really enjoyed going with my brother to sell little trinkets for a school fundraiser. The more he sold, the better the prize he would win. If he won, I won too. He let me share in his winnings. One of the goals was to win the biggest prize on the list. We ended up getting two prizes. One was a microscope and the other was a telescope. It opened my world of wonder and inspired me to look beyond my own physical world. With the microscope, I looked at tiny particles and life in a small drop of water. My eyes and attention were focused on this one speck of life. As I would study this form of life, I later was able to identify other forms of life that lived in that small drop of water. I couldn’t deny what I saw. I was able to identify and acknowledge every one of the life forms in the water by their design, form, and function.
With the telescope, when the conditions were right on a clear night and the moon was not visible, it made for great stargazing, planet searching, nebula naming by classification by the region of constellations. I could try to describe the beautiful spectrum of colors. You can probably imagine if you have ever seen through a telescope. It didn’t take long for me to start to recognize the objects beyond the night sky that many of the smaller specks in the distance beyond the telescope were thousands of galaxies. If someone wanted to search with me and use the same equipment and studies that I did to identify protozoa and amoebas in the small drop of water or explore the galaxies in the sky beyond the Milky Way, we could come to some similar conclusion together because we learned from resources like teachers, experiences, and books. We would know that we could not see living creatures in water with a telescope or galaxies with a microscope. So why do we do that with the church?
Example: When a Christian minister came over to our house and started to question my husband, the minister asked my husband if he was a Christian.
1 John 4:2 says - This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.
The spirit of the knowledge of God is also through His testimony of what He has done for you and your testimony of what you have done because of Him. Who do you say Jesus is? How did Jesus change your life?
We have been using microscopes to look into the hearts of the people in what specks of sin might still be lingering and forget that they are our Brothers and Sisters just like us (who used to or may still have specks of sin) Or we have been using a telescope to see churches from a distance and forget that there are galaxies of different churches, but we are all in the same universe / God’s Kingdom.
If they acknowledge Jesus, we know the spirit of God is in them too. May we use the same Spirit of God in us to acknowledge the Body of Christ without the tools of this world, but through the eyes of the Spirit of the knowledge of God. We can recognize the Spirit of God in someone through a “Kingdom Lens.”
As we grow we know more, we share more, we know more not just about God, but we know him. As Isaiah 11:2 says the spirit of knowledge will rest on Jesus and Jesus resides in us, so everything in Him, we have in us. We know that we will be like Him, co-heirs, co-laborers in the Kingdom of God.
Isaiah 11:9 says - They shall not be hurt or destroyed in all my holy mountain for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
Can you imagine all the children of God gathered together with no pain, no threats, no jealousy, no division? We don’t need a principle of knowledge or an image of knowledge, we need the Person of Knowledge. In the beginning, was God, yes Knowledge was in the beginning with God, just as wisdom, revelation, and counsel. So how do we know the spirit of the Knowledge of God? We know through relationships, trust, asking questions, believing, digging deeper, when reading the parables, we learn the truth of what is being spoken by Jesus. We know through listening to what the Lord is saying to you through visions, dreams, or another prophet.
You have to know what Father says about you. You are blessed with every spiritual blessing. You should be able to recognize the Spirit of God that acknowledges Jesus has come in the flesh. When you do recognize and know you can help draw that person closure to Jesus by sharing more. Don’t discount your brothers or sisters just because they are not where you are, go where you go, learn the way you learn. Help them! Opportunities of grace and mercy are available.
Example: A prophetic word was spoken over me, and someone else said it was for them.
Share A Moment: What is your testimony about what you experienced through the prophetic voice, vision, or dream?
There are no boundaries to the Spirit of the Knowledge of God. It is limitless, it can’t be bottled, can’t be sold. Let the Lord continue to show you, teach you, he will allow you to know Him more. And just when you think you know…the Lord shows you a more excellent way. Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! He fine-tunes us into the image of Christ.
Do you want to be free from hesitation, free from man’s opinion, free from unbelief, insecurities, and doubt…Do you want to know the voice of God? Do you want to have a KNOW. Know the Truth! HE IS TRUTH, HE IS JESUS, GOD’S SON YOU GOTTA KNOW YOU GOTTA HAVE HIM and nothing else matters until you do know. When you know this, nothing can change your mind.
GOD’S KNOWLEDGE – WHAT GOD KNOWS ABOUT YOU.
He knows we will want a sign.
In the book of Mark chapter 8, we read Jesus had just performed a great miracle with feeding four thousand people with seven loaves of bread and a small handful of fish. The crowd ate and were satisfied. Just after the people were finished eating, Jesus gets with his disciples and goes to a region where Pharisees were ready to test Jesus. The Pharisees who knew the scriptures very well.
Instead they wanted to catch Jesus to do miracle. Miracles were not uncommon to see during those days, but something about the intention of the Pharisees was wrong. It was that even if a miracle was performed, they still wouldn’t believe. Can you imagine Jesus’s frustration. He could have talked back to them and said, A sign from heaven has already been given to you, as mentioned in Isaiah 7:14 The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Instead we read in Mark 8:12 and 13, Jesus sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.
God knows we want a sign in order for us to believe, but even if you did get your miracle would it keep you wanting more miracles? Couldn’t we just come to God with our whole heart with no bartering, if you do this than I’ll do this bargins. God is not a game show of let’s make a deal.
So what if you can cast out demons and see people recover, so what if people got slain in the spirit or that you can speak in tongues. It’s not to say that it is less important, it is to say that God knows our heart. Before doing miracles, we should test our own heart making sure our intentions are pure before the Lord. Let’s read the consequences of doing miracles out of pride or selfish recognition. Matthew 7:21-23 says - On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers' Anyone remember what happened to the sons of Sceva?
The spirit of knowledge is to know the Lord more than what He can do for you or through you. Remember that anyone can cast out demons, anyone can do miracles, but not everyone should if their heart is not right. The sign we will have is described in Luke 10:19-20 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
God knows it’s hard to let go.
Have you ever been gracefully broken? What does it feel like? God knows how hard you have worked at your job to make sure everything you did was as perfect as could be. God knows how hard you worked on your marriage. God knows how hard you prayed for your children. God knows how much you really wanted that promotion. God knows how much you qualified for the leadership position at church. God knows when you had to give it all up to serve Him wholeheartedly. But when we let go of even the things God does give us, He has a greater reward waiting.
Example: Giving it all to God or Having it all taken from you. Freddie, was a successful musician in a famous tejano band. Because he was on tour a lot, he did not know his wife was having an affair. Though Freddie worked very hard for the big house, nice vehicles, best clothing money could buy, no amount of money was going to bring those things back. He didn’t care about the things anymore, he cared for his marriage. He tried working it out. Then he started coming to church. He gave his heart to Jesus. He was bitter at his situation because he said he had given up everything to serve God. I asked him what did you give up? Or was it taken away. It’s different. I asked Freddie if he was willing to let go of everything for a new life in Christ. When he understood, his life was changed. He started using music to worship the Lord, he didn’t get the big house back, but he got peace, he didn’t get the nice vehicles back, instead he bought a bus for the church. He didn’t dress fancy, instead he would dress in street clothes to reach the lost. See when Freddie finally let go of what he was holding on to, God blessed him beyond his imagination.
Share A Moment: Describe a time when you had to let go of something, how it made you feel, and then what you received in return.
He knows what you need to succeed.
In February 1996, I had been about 5 months in the Lord. I started asking the Lord serious questions, He told me to read Jeremiah 29:11, so I read…
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, and I stopped there and asked the Lord, I know you know the plans you have for me, but what are those plans? The Lord said READ ON. So I read on, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. And again, I stopped and asked the Lord, I know you know the plans you have for me, but I want to know those plans.
I know no one here is stubborn like me, so the Lord said in a more stern voice, I SAID READ ON. So I read, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. I didn’t have any more questions about God’s plans for me.
Then he showed me his plans for me:
Example: When the Lord called me into ministry in 1998: All that you see belongs to me, I have entrusted to you….
But then I saw him answer the plans to prosper me:
Example: Medical ministry to Panama
Children’s Home Ministry in Guatemala
Building Casitas in Mexico
300 Bishops and Clergy Conference in Uganda
As if that wasn’t enough, I saw the Lord keep me from harm/death and live to tell and write about it. Oh my God is so good, I saw him give me hope when I was going through a dry season in my life,
Example: Look up at the stars when it was cloudy. When the storm clears Hope is still there.
The Lord gave me a future; I would never have had the opportunity to imagine. See, I know he already gave it to me. I haven’t seen it yet, but I believe His word. I know His character. I know He is a rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him. I know He is for me and not against me. I know I am victorious no matter what I may go through. I am not saying it’s going to be easy. I am not saying that I am going to like everything that is going to happen. But I know that God knows, and that’s all I need to know.
God knows you up close and personally. Yada!
I am not much of a television watcher, but I remember years ago I would hear someone use the Hebrew term: Yada. The people would use it in a sequence as in yada, yada, yada. Does anyone know what it really means? See in the context of the sentences it has been used slang to mean, yes I know, I know, I know. Or yeah, go on to the next thing, or and so forth, so forth, so forth, as in there is extra information, or fill in the words with empty talk.
Let’s look at the word yada. It means to know, up close
Genesis 4:1: And Adam knew Eve his wife and she conceived and bore Cain. In 1 Kings 1:4 And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not. He knew of her, but did not know her intimately. Again we see in the New Testament in Matthew 1:25 that Mary was betrothed to Joseph and knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS.
Yada also means to know in a loving manner, personally.
Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. This is what the spirit of knowledge that the Lord imparts to us today. Jeremiah 1:5 the Lord says “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
What do you need to know? You need to know…God knows you! He knows your needs! He knows when you rise and when you sleep. He knows the number of hairs on your head. He knows the questions you will ask before you ask them. Ask them anyway. He knows your heart. He knows your thoughts. He knows your shame. He knows your guilt. He knows your fears. He knows the number of your days. He knows what you hide. He knows when you hide. He knows where you hide. He knows why you hide. He knows what makes you cry. He knows your voice. He knows your dreams. He knows your desires. He knows everything about you. He knows where your children are. He knows where your keys are. He knows where your treasures are. He knows. He knows why you are here TODAY!. He knows what you need RIGHT NOW! He knows your name.
Jeremiah 24:7 And I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.
Psalm 46:10 - Be still and know that I am God.
Jeremiah 33:3: The Spirit of Knowledge AKA HOLY SPIRIT says, Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. YET!
Share A Moment: Take some time to reflect on when God was up close and personal with you.