Each week our study of Experiencing God has 5 days of study and then a review section for our weekly meetings to discuss any questions we may have had come up during our studies. I had this thought at the time and it has become more impactful for me since then.
Day 4 was titled "You Come to Know God". It was only a one page devotion for the day with no response section or summary statements like we typically have. As I first glanced I thought this was kind of an "off" day that meant I could do my God duty quick and get on to something else for the day. The focus of the lesson was to go through a list of names, titles, and descriptions of God and list ones that we have come to know Him by through our experience. It then asked us to spend an extended time in prayer for that day since we had less book time.
Day 5 was titled "Questions and Answers" and addressed the questions below:
- Why does God seem to work so slowly in my life?
- Why doesn't God give me a big assignment?
- What is happening when I obey and the doors close?
- How can I know whether the Word I receive is from God, my selfish desires, or Satan?
- Does God have one plan for my life for eternity?
Now I don't know about you, but when I get a lesson that's going to answer those questions for my life, I got pretty excited. That study was five pages of amazing answers and scriptural references to help us determine God's will for our lives. I got a lot out of that one and made a lot of notes. Everything was just fine.
Until that Saturday. I noticed that during the course of the day Thursday I felt much closer to God, much more in line with Him, and much slower to anger over irrelevant things that can sometimes get me worked up. I had been excited about Friday's study and marked the pages to save to reference back to since they were so informative. But I began to see and understand that while our head knowledge of God is important, that the most important part of us that He desires is our heart. You can know everything there is to know biblically or in books according to the world but if your heart is not in right relationship with God through prayer time with Him, it will be fruitless.
So continue studying God's Word, continue pursuing the goals He sets before you. But slow down enough to pray and listen to God, it will reap unimaginable rewards.
"Be still, and know that I am God." - Psalm 46:10
Day 4 was titled "You Come to Know God". It was only a one page devotion for the day with no response section or summary statements like we typically have. As I first glanced I thought this was kind of an "off" day that meant I could do my God duty quick and get on to something else for the day. The focus of the lesson was to go through a list of names, titles, and descriptions of God and list ones that we have come to know Him by through our experience. It then asked us to spend an extended time in prayer for that day since we had less book time.
Day 5 was titled "Questions and Answers" and addressed the questions below:
- Why does God seem to work so slowly in my life?
- Why doesn't God give me a big assignment?
- What is happening when I obey and the doors close?
- How can I know whether the Word I receive is from God, my selfish desires, or Satan?
- Does God have one plan for my life for eternity?
Now I don't know about you, but when I get a lesson that's going to answer those questions for my life, I got pretty excited. That study was five pages of amazing answers and scriptural references to help us determine God's will for our lives. I got a lot out of that one and made a lot of notes. Everything was just fine.
Until that Saturday. I noticed that during the course of the day Thursday I felt much closer to God, much more in line with Him, and much slower to anger over irrelevant things that can sometimes get me worked up. I had been excited about Friday's study and marked the pages to save to reference back to since they were so informative. But I began to see and understand that while our head knowledge of God is important, that the most important part of us that He desires is our heart. You can know everything there is to know biblically or in books according to the world but if your heart is not in right relationship with God through prayer time with Him, it will be fruitless.
So continue studying God's Word, continue pursuing the goals He sets before you. But slow down enough to pray and listen to God, it will reap unimaginable rewards.
"Be still, and know that I am God." - Psalm 46:10
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