Getting to Know God
The Bible teaches us that in this world we will have trials and tribulations, John 16:32-33. With what I have experienced within the last few years, I have come to realize the value of having a personal relationship with Jesus! In fact, it is our desire that all of our children come to that same decision of having, or strengthening their relationship with Jesus.
What is the first step?
I believe the first step in coming to that decision is you first have to believe that God is who He says HE is! I was raised, as well as all of our children, to believe and trust in God, the One that created everything. Even though I was raised to believe in God, I still had to come to the conclusion for myself that God is real. In fact, I honestly cannot understand one’s view that God does not exist. They are essentially asking us to believe that everything around us, the universe and all of its existence, was created out of nothing! I choose to believe in a supreme being whom created all things. It is very difficult to believe that everything we see around us just appeared from a “big bang”! I suppose I don’t have enough faith to believe in that. That is like believing that you can take the watch off your wrist, take it apart piece by piece, put all of those pieces in a paper bag, shake it, and dump the contents on a table and everything come together to make perfect time! First of all, someone would have had to design and engineer all of those pieces to exist, and then they would have to put it all together to create what we know as a watch that keeps time! I will admit though, I do not know all of the mysteries of God, our creator, but I choose to believe in the One who created the Heavens and the Earth and give us life!
Is knowing God, or believing in God enough?
To know about Him, and to believe He is who He says He is, is not enough. If you have ever been in a relationship with someone, you know that it isn’t enough for you to know who that person is and to know they exist. In order to get to know someone and develop a personal relationship, you have to get to know that person, or at the very least, want to get to know them. The same hold true with God. In order to develop that relationship with Him, you have to get to know Him. The best resource we have to know who God is, is the Bible. I will be the first to admit that as I am reading portions of the Bible, I do have questions. However, I am seeking the heart of God. And although I have questions as I read, my faith and trust are still in Him no matter what! I do believe from what I have read, that it is evident that man would have never been good enough or perfect enough to stand before a perfect God. That is where Jesus comes in, as our intercessor to the One who created all things! My prayer is that His presence will be made known to you all through His word and you will fall in love with the One who gave His life so that we may live!
My personal experience…
Fast forward to all the things I have gone through over the last few years, I can share my journey and how I have seen, what I believe, was God’s hand in everything, but I will save that for another time. However, like I mentioned before, I do not know all of the mysteries of God and don’t have all of answers for the troubles and trials we have in this earthly life, but I choose to continue believing in the One who knows all things and works everything out for our good! Romans 8;28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Conclusion
I would encourage all of you to get to know the heart of God and His purpose for sending His only Son, Jesus, And then study the life of Jesus and you will see and know more about the heart of God! Talk to God daily as you would if Jesus was physically sitting right here beside you. You don’t have to “pray the dictionary” and use all of those educated words to speak to Him. Just know who He is, and how mighty God is and humbly speak to Him. I can tell you that when I talk with him, I acknowledge, and I let Him know that I am not worthy and I am not deserving of anything! But whether I am up at 4 am, or driving down the road, or just laying in bed trying to go to sleep, I am constantly praying for my family! In everything I give thanks, for this is the will of God! 1 Thessalonians 5:18
I will say this… In my personal prayer time, I have walked throughout the house and knelt beside each of our children’s beds, and asked God’s hand and provision in each of their lives. I pray for your health, favor and most of all, God to make himself known to you!
I love you each and everyone one… The one God gave me to do life with, and the children He entrusted to our care! Austin, Alan, Anthony, and our precious bonus daughters, I am not a perfect dad by all means, but want you to know that your mom and I love you dearly!!
~ Love Dad!