One morning while we were enjoying breakfast together, Stan mentioned that Jesus is recorded as having asked a lot of questions. After I agreed with what he said, I asked Stan if he had mentioned that for any particular reason, of course knowing that he had!
“Because,” Stan replied, “of the impact one of Jesus’ questions had on changing a neighbor’s casual faith walk.”
“Changing a casual faith walk?”
“Yeah,” Stan said. “My neighbor told me that for way too long, he approached his faith walk in a pretty casual way in that he didn’t take it very seriously. He went to church pretty regularly, prayed when he wanted something from God, rarely opened his Bible, and never attended any sort of Bible study, those sorts of things.”
“That probably describes a lot of people,” I ventured.
“I think you’re right,” Stan agreed. “Maybe more of them should do what my neighbor did, focus on a question Jesus asked Philip.”
“What question is that?”
“Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me?”
“Oh,” I said. “Tough question!”
“You’re right,” Stan replied. “It is a tough and penetrating question. One that I, you, and the rest of us need to take seriously. How well do I know Him?”
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Bible verses to consider:
Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip?” John 14:9.
And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. John 17:3.
And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding, in order that we might know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way for life eternally with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will sped eternity in your presence, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity I don’t pursue knowing you as well and as deeply as you have available. Please forgive that foolish approach of seeking to live this new life without knowing you as well as possible.
Help me follow every step of your lead so I know you as well and as deeply as possible for as long as you keep me here. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Do you know God in the sense that you have accepted His free and gracious provision of life eternally with Him, the life that begins here and will continue forever? If no, why to you choose to remain separated from Him both now and forever? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with pursuing knowing God in Christ as well and as deeply as possible? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need in order to know Him as well and as deeply as possible. Spend time on this in prayer, reflection, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to being part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?