Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Step By Step

As I sent my daughter on the bus today I thought about how we learn about the things of God. There are many ways really. When we give our lives to Him, confess our sins, ask forgiveness, and ask Jesus to be our Savior, that is our first step. Of course we can learn directly from God.

Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,
16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

Paul was converted on the road to Damascus and spent three years with God, learning about Jesus as the Messiah. He knew the Jewish teachings and I suspect God showed to him how these are connected. But even Paul then went to see another apostle, Peter, and later James. This is something he also spoke about in his letter to the Ephesians.

Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Here we see Paul is telling us how to experience God and move toward knowing Him and knowing about Him. We do this every time we sing to Him and pray. Another way is to be around others like Paul did after he learned from God.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

We can rely on God to provide us a means to both be with Him and to learn about Him and our walk as a believer. We have many avenues, and as Paul demonstrates, using them all helps!

Prayer
Father, we exalt you as the Most High. Please help us to be more like Jesus. Forgive us when we do not follow Your ways. Guide us into a better understanding and wisdom about You and how we are to walk in Your grace, mercy, and truth. We love You. Please send us today the healing, deliverance, and provision we need. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.