I Know the Man

by Kathy Lay

This Week's Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:16, "So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!" (NLT)

Devotion:
A friend of mine had a conversation with a young man who recently gave his life to the Lord. Her eyes sparkled as she told me about his transformation and involvement in church activities.

Apparently, he watches The Passion of the Christ from time to time. My friend told him that she doesn't want to see it again because of the brutality and blood. Then the young man said something like this: "Yeah, the first time I watched it was with my parents and they just wept. I didn't get why at the time--I mean it was definitely brutal--but I didn't understand why they were so moved. But now when I watch it, I know why: I know the man now."

I know the man now.

What powerful words. I love the "now" part, as in that was then; this is now. He once was lost, but now he's found. Things are different now that he knows Christ personally.

Isn't it wonderful to see our own then and now's? To look back and see where you were when Jesus first caught your heart and compare it to where you are now in your relationship with him? Have certain viewpoints about this man, this Jesus, changed because He's personally shown you aspects of Himself through your adventure together?

There was a time when we just didn't get it, but now--well, now, we know the man. And that makes all the difference.

Father, we praise you for the relationship you make possible through Jesus. He's the way to You, He's the truth, and He's the life. Thank you for drawing us to You through him and that we can say with confidence that we know the Man now.

Application:
Think of all of the ways that Jesus has made Himself known to you. In what ways can you pursue knowing Him more? If you don't know the man and want to, click here.

Power Verses:
2 Peter 1:8, "The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."(NLT)
John 17:3, "And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth" (NLT).

Deep Beyond the Surface

by Kathy Lay

This Week's Verse: Hosea 6:3, "Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him! Then he will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring." (NLT)

Devotion:
Are you a people-watcher? It can be fun to sit and conjecture about the individuals walking by. You might observe, “That man is very well-dressed, but he doesn’t carry himself with much confidence.” Or, “That woman must be very proud of her body; she’s showing so much of it!”

These first-glance superficial speculations are just that, pure speculation. That well-dressed man may have just finished a bad interview. The scantily-clad gal might be seeking attention she’s not getting at home. The truth is, it’s difficult to learn much at all about people—especially what’s in their heart—based on a surface encounter.

The same is true with God. A superficial relationship will not reveal His heart. Warming a pew for an hour a week isn't enough. He has a profoundly deep and wonderful bond planned with each of us, but knowing Him personally is foundational for it to develop.

Has God seemed distant lately? Maybe even unreliable? Consider whether you have been spending enough time learning at the feet of the Teacher. This week’s verse indicates that learning about and knowing Him will bring Him to you.

Ask the Lord along on a walk so you can get to know each other. Study the Word and seek Him out at all times. Cultivating a cherished rapport with the Master opens the gate for Him to become as dependable as the seasonal rains and sunrise. Tuck that promise away in your own heart today as you open it up to mingle with His.

Lord, show us more and more of You. Put a desire in our hearts to seek Your ways with an intensity unlike any of us has seen before. Steady and guide us as we dive below the surface and explore the depths of You.

Application:
Specifically ask God to show you more of Him before you delve into the Word. Become involved in a Bible study.

Power Verses:
1 Samuel 2:12, "Now the sons of Eli were worthless men; they did not know the LORD." (NASB)
Jeremiah 31: 34, "And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,' says the Lord. 'And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.'”(NLT)
Hosea 2:20, "I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, And you shall know the LORD." (NKJV)