20 - Connecting w/ God
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
CONNECTING with GOD
Day 20 | THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORD
CONNECTING with GOD
Day 20 | THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORD
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORD
Hebrews 11:6
“But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.” (AMP)
For the Follower of Jesus one question often comes to mind: “Lord, how can I please you?”
The question is a good one inasmuch as we want to CONNECT with the Lord, come to know Him better and find ways to invest our lives in pleasing HIM.
So here, the writer of this terrific book of Hebrews gives us at least a partial answer to the question: “Lord, how can I please you?”
The TPT version says it this way: “And without faith living within us it would be impossible to please God. For we come to God in faith knowing that he is real and that he rewards the faith of those who give all their passion and strength into seeking him.”
The Greek word here for “impossible” is “adynatos” meaning NOT possible. The emphasis here is on HE, the TRUE God. Genuine faith does not mean simply agreeing that God exists, but that the God of Scripture is the ONLY one and true God that does exist. Not believing that God exists is essentially calling God a liar… “Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son.” (1 John 5:10)
So obviously none of us would ever want to call God a liar, and we DO want to please God, have a relationship with Him and be connected for all eternity, so HOW do we have faith and grow that faith?
Romans 10:17 says “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”
If we want to grow our faith, we need to spend time in God’s Word (aka the Bible).
If you’re not a fervent Bible reader, let me suggest starting with one of the Gospels – pick one – Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. In those pages you’ll read about the life of Jesus. When you finish, you might like the Proverbs – which are as practical today as when Solomon wrote them thousands of years ago.
Remember… “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Prayer: Lord, I DO want to be pleasing in Your sight. I DO want to enjoy your favor, your blessing, your rewards and your presence in my life. Help me to do the things I can do to draw closer to You. Your Word is truth, help me to spend more time in Your Word, seeking Your direction and looking to YOU during these challenging times. Amen.
Hebrews 11:6
“But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.” (AMP)
For the Follower of Jesus one question often comes to mind: “Lord, how can I please you?”
The question is a good one inasmuch as we want to CONNECT with the Lord, come to know Him better and find ways to invest our lives in pleasing HIM.
So here, the writer of this terrific book of Hebrews gives us at least a partial answer to the question: “Lord, how can I please you?”
The TPT version says it this way: “And without faith living within us it would be impossible to please God. For we come to God in faith knowing that he is real and that he rewards the faith of those who give all their passion and strength into seeking him.”
The Greek word here for “impossible” is “adynatos” meaning NOT possible. The emphasis here is on HE, the TRUE God. Genuine faith does not mean simply agreeing that God exists, but that the God of Scripture is the ONLY one and true God that does exist. Not believing that God exists is essentially calling God a liar… “Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son.” (1 John 5:10)
So obviously none of us would ever want to call God a liar, and we DO want to please God, have a relationship with Him and be connected for all eternity, so HOW do we have faith and grow that faith?
Romans 10:17 says “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”
If we want to grow our faith, we need to spend time in God’s Word (aka the Bible).
If you’re not a fervent Bible reader, let me suggest starting with one of the Gospels – pick one – Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. In those pages you’ll read about the life of Jesus. When you finish, you might like the Proverbs – which are as practical today as when Solomon wrote them thousands of years ago.
Remember… “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Prayer: Lord, I DO want to be pleasing in Your sight. I DO want to enjoy your favor, your blessing, your rewards and your presence in my life. Help me to do the things I can do to draw closer to You. Your Word is truth, help me to spend more time in Your Word, seeking Your direction and looking to YOU during these challenging times. Amen.
Posted in Connecting w/ God