Informed to be Transformed…
I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.
Philippians 3:8
Quiet Time…Devotional…DAWG…I know it’s just semantics but my experience tells me names matter. For many years I was encouraged to have a “quiet time” early in the morning, which was usually so quiet I was falling back asleep. “Devotional” seems so one sided, more like I’m there to let God know I’m all in for Him, which is good but I tended to approach this time much like a classroom where I was being informed, there to learn more about God.
My DAWG is more of a statement that spending time with my Father is an intentional event in which I am faithful to show up and He is faithful to make that time fruitful. It is a time where I make myself known to Him and He responds by making Himself better known to me. More than learning about God, I experience Him.
It’s one thing to know God is love but a very different thing to know the God of love.
Our personal worship of God each day is that time when He makes known to us His Character, who He is and allows us to grow in deeper understanding of how to experience His presence in the midst of the realities of our day.
Charles Spurgeon…a follower of Christ almost two centuries ago talked about this, I think he got it right.
Knowledge of Christ will be a personal knowledge. I cannot know Jesus only through another person’s acquaintance with him. I must know him myself, in all the realities of my life.
Knowledge of Christ will be an intelligent knowledge. I must know Him as His Word reveals Him. I must know…
His natures, divine and human.
His offices
His attributes
His works
His shame
His glory.
Knowledge of Christ will be a “whole heart” knowledge. An ounce of heart knowledge is worth a ton of head learning.
Knowledge of Christ will be a satisfying knowledge. When I know my Savior…He is that bread whereof if a man eat he shall never hunger.
Knowing Christ is Grace Energizing…fueling us to want to be known by Him and to know Him more. The more I get, the more I want! Our Father is so faithful to change us in these times alone with Him. As we continue to know Him better, the fruit of this time is we are transformed…we are strengthened…for all of life…trials, doubts, sorrows, joys, encouragements, successes.
He invites us as FORGE Men to meditate in His word about Him until we…comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge! He then changes us to be conformed to His image… Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, and then sent into the world…that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and complete!
FORGE Men, being transformed together…Kelley
