How to Know Jesus and Make Him Known

How can we know Jesus more intimately?

During my early years of being a Christ-follower, I missed an important aspect of the Christian life.

Christ not only desired that I know Him as Savior and Lord, but also that I continued to grow in knowing Him more intimately on a daily basis.

Because this is the only way to let Christ live in and through my life, and for others to see Jesus in me.

Eventually, this became my mission statement for my speaking, writing, and blogging ministry:

To know Jesus more and make Him known.

To really know someone, we spend time with that person. For instance, we know our spouse and children more than anyone else.

Who we live with, we grow to know more each day through two-way communication and interaction.

Know Jesus

These same simple principles hold true to K.N.O.W. Jesus.

K – Keep our relationship alive and well. Cultivate our love relationship with Jesus as if our life depends on it. Because most of the time, dear friend, we will find this to be the case. A growing and vibrant friendship with Jesus makes a world of difference in the ups and downs of life.

N – Never stop investing time. My adult son recently moved halfway across the country. It drove home the point to continue to connect with him. We frequently text, call and FaceTime. We also started a family group on Marco Polo so all of us can send and receive videos.

Make it a habit to spend time with Christ. Connect with who Jesus is by reading the Bible and getting to know the words Christ spoke, the way He prayed, and the words spoken about Him. Never move away from Jesus emotionally or spiritually.

Spend time with Christ. Connect with who Jesus is by reading the Bible, getting to know the words Christ spoke, the way He prayed, and the words spoken about Him. Never move away from Jesus emotionally or spiritually. Share on X Read More…

When We Fill Ourselves With Things That Expire

Have you ever thought about how all that life has to offer are things that expire? None of them last forever.

So it’s no wonder we are chasing the next best technology device or fashion or eatery or the things of this world that quickly fade in fulfillment.

There’s nothing wrong with this stuff in and of itself. But it’s about how we fill ourselves, with them or God.

Even though we are wired for God’s filling, we learn to self-fill. We attempt to fill ourselves with life’s stuff and substitutions for God.

But there are problems with our self-filling techniques. 

Things That Expire: Everything Life Offers

Maybe you or your church collects non-perishables for local food banks. Items with a long shelf life for the underprivileged. 

Poor in spirit, we have intangible needs that never expire. Like grace, love, mercy, joy, peace, and hope. Although they seem abstract, we actually take hold of them when we go to God.

Because unlike things that expire, God manifests these characteristics in our lives. And they never run out, run dry or have expiration dates.

Yet, when we turn to life’s stuff to bring us fulfillment, such as the perfect body, aspirations, accolades, or material possessions, it only temporarily fills empty spaces, never empty souls. Real fullness is not dictated by anything life offers but revealed in Jesus.

Jesus is eternal and He never expires. 

There are expiration dates on life's stuff. It only temporarily fills empty spaces, never empty souls. Real fullness is revealed in Jesus. Jesus is eternal and He never expires. Share on X

Christ exchanges our empty for His full: our lack for His bounty (Psalm 65:11), our shame for His mercy (Ephesians 2:4), our sorrow for His joy (Isaiah 35:10), our weakness for His strength (2 Corinthians 12:9), and our worry for His peace (John 16:33).

Things That Expire: Substitutes for God

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Valley Promises From God Himself

What if we knew God had valley promises just waiting for us to claim and cling to?

Because sometimes we travel on a journey we never chose. A valley experience.

And we never made reservations, packed our bags, or headed off in that direction. 

Besides, my heart’s GPS is wired to stay on the mountain top. Isn’t that what we secretly or openly wish the Christian life promised? 

Still, we often forget God’s glory and presence dwells wherever we are, and in whatever we go through. Further, the Bible says we will have trouble in this world, valleys to walk through. It’s not “if” but “when.”

Perhaps, you relate to valleys of emotional suffering, physical pain, heartbreak, tragedy, grief, spiritual warfare, or other.

During one of my valley experiences, the Lord revealed a comforting message of truth for any and all valleys. 

And it comes from two phrases and two passages in the Bible. These are valley promises.

(1.) Even though. Psalm 23.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (ESV)

David, a shepherd, led, rescued, and cared for sheep. In Psalm 23, he relates the job description to God’s care of us.

The provision of green pastures and still waters showcases the Lord’s goodness (verse 2). Restoring souls and leading in righteousness spotlight the Shepherd’s mercy (verse 3). So, we won’t lack anything on the spiritual journey, including in the valleys (verse 1).

But David mentions less-than-pleasant moments and hard days. The valley of the shadow of death, evil, and the presence of enemies. Since we live in a fallen world, there’s no guarantee of valley-free living.

Yet, the Lord guarantees He is with me “even though” I find myself in the valley (verse 4). And He’s with you.

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22 Truths About God to Embrace in 2022

Embarking on a new year always brings mixed emotions for me. I look forward to new experiences, possibilities, adventures, and all the things in life worth celebrating. On the flip side, the world is still in a troubled and hurting state. And I wonder what the path holds on up ahead. Maybe you relate. But what if we simply and intentionally embraced truths about God?

Embracing what we know is true about God strengthens our heart, gives understanding and peace to our minds, and keeps us focused on spiritual things.

So let’s look 22 of these truths for our new year.

Truths About God That Make Him God

(1.) The One true God. Oh, there are other gods. But there’s no other god like our God. “For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” (Isaiah 46:9b)

(2.) Living. Jeremiah compares man-made idols to the living God. “But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God.” (Jeremiah 10:10) How sad and foolish when we bow to idols without breath. Or, believe in gods who are dead.

(3.) Creator. Genesis 1:1 tells us in the beginning God created…. God existed first. Then He created everything else, all of creation, and humans in His image. 

(4.) Holy. The Blue Letter Bible shares, “God is holy means there is no trace of evil in his character. Only God is holy.” Further, “There is no one holy like the LORD.” (1 Samuel 2:2a)

(5.) Sovereign. God rules as the supreme authority, doing what pleases Him (Psalm 115:3), His kingdom rules over all (Psalm 103:19). 

(6.) In control. “For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?” (Isaiah 14:27)

(7.) Majestic. “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! (Psalm 8:9)

(8.) Almighty. “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’” (Revelation 1:8)

God's the One true God. Oh, there are other gods. But there’s no other god like our God. Isaiah 46:9, ESV: For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. Share on X Read More…