Here is the link to the sermon. You can watch it, which is great, and read the transcript simultaneously or do each.
https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/confident-in-love/
Here is the transcript:
Transcript_Confident_in_Love (2)
Sunday: God Hunt
I’d love to hear stories of times He assured you of His love, of His care for you, of the truth that you are truly His beloved child. If you have a different God Hunt, that’s fine too, but I’d love to hear stories of assurances of His love. I’ve told you so many of mine, but here is one of my favorites. I was newly widowed and lamenting, weeping, feeling abandoned by God, curled up in a fetal position in bed. “You promised You’d never leave me, but You have!” A memory came to me of trying to nurse my firstborn, who was so colicky he would not latch on, but just cried and cried. I was sooo frustrated. I was right there, with swollen breasts, waiting for him to realize I wanted to meet his need!
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Photo by Pexels
I sensed God saying to me like I had been trying to tell my baby: “What are all these tears about, my child? I am right here.”
1. Your turn to share a God Hunt.
Monday: The Text and The Opening
This encounter Jesus has with Philip reminds me of an encounter with God my brother-in-law, a Lutheran pastor had. Through the ministry of “Alpha” John came to realize he knew about God, but he didn’t really know him. He wept tears of regret for leading sheep without truly knowing God, and tears of joy for finally knowing Him and experiencing His love firsthand.
2. Read John 14:7-11
A. What stands out and why?
B. What was Philip missing? List the things Jesus tells him.
C. Was there a time when you knew about Jesus but didn’t really know Him? Did you think, like Philip, that you knew Him? What made the penny drop?
3. Listen or read up to 3:52
A. What stands out and why?
B. What was the gift we studied last week? Share one thing you will remember about it that helps you right now in the world.
C. Keller says this week is the greatest gift. What is it and why might it be the greatest gift?
D. How does this gift make Christianity different from all the world religions?
Tuesday: What is possible? Knowing God.
Listen up to 14:35 when he begins to speak about Jonathan Edwards.
4. What is being said, in a nutshell, in each of these texts?
A. Matthew 7:22
B. John 17:3
C. Jeremiah 9:23-24
Watch and or read up to 14:35
5. What stands out and why?
6. How does Keller say the average person would define a Christian?
7. What was his point about the words of the Father?
Wednesday: How Is it Possible to Know God? Part I.
Listen up to 27:23 when he asks “What does he mean by flintiness?_
8. Jonathan Edwards explains why people said “no one ever spoke like this man.” No one was ever both divine and human. List some of the contrasting qualities of Jesus.I’ll get you started:
Majesty but deep humility
9. What does Psalm 34:8 say and what does it mean?
10. Keller gave an example of two women who broke up with their fiance´s – one never got over it and one did. Why?
11. Can you give an example of a loss in your life over which you did or did not get bitter? Why did you react as you did, do you think?
12. He said “You can know the Bible and not know Jesus” but “You can’t know Jesus and not know the Bible.” Thoughts?
13. Test yourself on these ways (on a spectrum) to know if you truly know God. (He said there were four, but I only heard three.)
A. What is the prayer life like of one who really knows God?
B. Have you had experiences of God in your prayer life? (Gave example of Daniel Steele)
C. What long-term deep changes in your heart are you seeing? Or has your heart gotten flinty — hard?
Thursday: How Is It Possible To Know God? Part II.
Listen up to 30:56 when he mentions the three words “From now on.”
14. What are some of the things that might create a flinty heart? Do you think this has happened to you?
15. What will melt that spot?
16. What did he mean by “the unfolding of your Word gives light.” Give an example of how you have experienced this.
Friday: Why is this possible?
Listen to the end.
17. What are the three words and why are they significant? Why is this letting Philip off the hook a bit?
18. What was his point about his discussion with a woman after church who didn’t believe in Jesus — but said she believed in a loving God?
19. What did he say Jesus was really saying when He said, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?”
20. Do you think You really know God?
Saturday:
21. What is your take-a-way and why?
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Sunday: God Hunt
1. Your turn to share a God Hunt. – We have a couple friends who are dealing with rare cancer that they both found. We have been praying so hard for doors to be opened and for everything to fall in to place for both of these couples. Today in church we were singing and the Lord made himself known to me when we were singing Same God by Elevation Worship. Oh what a feeling it was to have Him with me today knowing two of my dear friend’s names could be inserted. Thank you Jesus for your presence today. Here is the link to the song. https://youtu.be/LawxIZE9ePE?si=ZUezvbxVPoL-E5yL
Thank you for sharing this beautiful song, Julie! Chills! So good!!
Amen!
1. Your turn to share a God Hunt.
This C.S. Lewis quote popped up on my Facebook feed: “Death opens a door out of a little, dark room (that’s all the life we have known before it) into a great, real place where the true sun shines and we shall meet. ”
2. Read John 14:7-11
A. What stands out and why?
Jesus is telling them in so many ways that He and the Father are One; If you had known Me, you have known My Father; You do know Him, You have seen Him.
B. What was Philip missing? List the things Jesus tells him.
Philip is missing that Jesus and the Father are One. 1) If you had known Me, you would have known My Father. 2) From now on you know Him and have seen Him. 3)He who has seen Me, has seen the Father. 4) I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. 5) I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does the work 6) Believe the Father is in me because of the works I do.
C. Was there a time when you knew about Jesus but didn’t really know Him? Did you think, like Philip, that you knew Him? What made the penny drop?
I knew Jesus, when I was a child, but I don’t think I comprehended the Trinity, fully until I was a young adult. I don’t remember the day, but I think it was through a Bible Study discussion.
3. Listen or read up to 3:52
A. What stands out and why?
Knowing all about God, informationally, is entirely different from knowing God personally in your heart and living your life for Him.
B. What was the gift we studied last week? Share one thing you will remember about it that helps you right now in the world.
The greatest gift given is the gift of eternal life. Jesus took our exile and homelessness, He took our sins and self-centeredness to the cross and died for all that we have done, that we may have a heavenly home, a secure place with Him, waiting for us in Heaven.
C. Keller says this week is the greatest gift. What is it and why might it be the greatest gift?
But the difference is, of course, we know that he really bore the real weight of death, the real separation. Now death only means reunion, not really separation.
D. How does this gift make Christianity different from all the world religions?
No other religion has someone who died for them.
Patti, I love the C.S. Lewis quote. That day when we meet our Savior face to face will be worth all the worldly trouble we face here.
1. Your turn to share a God Hunt.
I would like to share two, one in the past and another, recently.
a. I was driving to work that one morning and felt downhearted. The dark clouds only compounded my feelings, and I started crying while driving. I was afraid of the future, at a place where I missed my family in the Philippines, yet I knew I was where God wanted me to be. I prayed to God to show me His lovingkindness to get me out of the gloom.
Out of the blue, my thoughts went to the comfort food of liver and onions! I told myself that was crazy, but, Lord, wouldn’t it be nice if they were serving liver and onions for lunch at the nursing home that day? Slim “chance”, Bing, I told myself. And wouldn’t you know it? They were! I felt God’s smile at me.
b. I was dreading a visit to the oral surgeon for a molar extraction. All I could think of was the bad experience I had a long time ago with it. I prayed God would help me overcome my silly fears. Right after that prayer, I received a text from one of my friends with a picture of her 4-year-old daughter holding a piece of paper. On it were the words, “Pray for Bing”. My friend does a prayer journal with her daughters and that day, the prompt was to pray for the church. And Bessie chose to pray for me. Aawww…Lord, how you love me through your people.
What wonderful God hunts, Bing!! He is faithful!
Love your granddaughter’s note!
Oh Bing, both God shots are comforting to know that God does hear us and hugs us when we are down.
This was definitely a heartwarming example of our Savior’s love for us.
Sunday: God Hunt
1. Your turn to share a God Hunt.
—This is something I wrote around 15 years ago. I’ve shared it before here but it is truly the time in my life when I finally understood the reality of God’s deep and personal love for me.
“I doubted God’s love.
I doubted God’s love for me personally.
I believed God loved me as a part of the world because “God so loved the world”. I had no doubts about God and Who He is. I love his Word and I am in awe of Who He is and what He has done and is doing. But I longed for a sense that I wasn’t just one of the many. I always felt I was down the line in favored status. Yes I knew God loved everyone equally and unconditionally but I didn’t feel it. But a number of months ago as I was pondering my relationship with God as my father and wondering about that time when I will see Him face to face. How it would feel to have him look at me personally one to one. He gently showed me I doubted his love for me and that my doubt was sin. Amid tears I confessed my sin to him. Then over the past months He has been leading me to specific resources that validate me in the love he has for me. First it was a conference by Dee Brestin on her book “Idol Lies”. Then a little 25 day devotional booklet given to me by a friend called “Loved Beyond Measure”.
In our Sunday School class we have been studying “Knowing God” by J I Packer. He addresses the attribute of God as Love. And now I am part of this bible study from a book called “You Are Loved”.
God is amazing isn’t He?!
The background of my doubt came out of personal insecurities starting in my childhood and carried into adulthood influenced by circumstances and relationships. But nothing in my life has the right to excuse my doubt of God’s love for me personally. It is based in His Word and His Word is Truth.”
—In a way I came full circle because after God had poured those resources into my heart and life of His love for me I became involved here on the blog and at the time Dee was introducing her book “He Calls You Beautiful”. That time of study served to affirm me in my relationship with God and his love for me. I’ve never doubted His love for me since that time.
—This is my verse for the year 2024. 1 John 4:16
”So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.“
He certainly assured you many times of how deeply He loves you — and I’m delighted to be part of the journey!
Bev, loved how God showed you that you are deeply loved by Him.
What a wonderful God Hunt, Bev. I love how He led you to Dee’s books and this Blog. Your responses have touched my heart many times.
Monday: The Text and The Opening
This encounter Jesus has with Philip reminds me of an encounter with God my brother-in-law, a Lutheran pastor had. Through the ministry of “Alpha” John came to realize he knew about God, but he didn’t really know him. He wept tears of regret for leading sheep without truly knowing God, and tears of joy for finally knowing Him and experiencing His love firsthand.
2. Read John 14:7-11
A. What stands out and why? – We have to stand so strong in our faith and belief in Jesus. We can quickly forget who sent him and be blinded by the lies of Satan. We have to really know Jesus in a deeper way and not just know of him, like Dee’s brother-in-law realized. We can not waiver in our beliefs.
B. What was Philip missing? List the things Jesus tells him. – Philip was missing the presence of the Father in Jesus. He was not seeing that God was directing the path Jesus was on by word and deeds. He was missing the close connection that the Father had with Jesus to make them One.
C. Was there a time when you knew about Jesus but didn’t really know Him? Did you think, like Philip, that you knew Him? What made the penny drop? – Yes. I grew up catholic and did all the things I was supposed to do as a catholic. But that was where it ended. I knew of Jesus, but as I matured in my thinking I was seeing some things that didn’t make sense. Like why is it ok if you fill out paperwork and pay money that your marriage/divorce is ok, but before any of that, it’s not. This made me stop and think. I ended up leaving that faith and am now in a bible based, expository preaching church. I’ve grown by doing bible in a year commentarys and one really made me ‘drop the mic’. When he was talking about Jesus dying on the cross and the veil that was so large no human could have torn it, my husband and I both at the same time realized the Catholics are still living behind the veil. Jesus’ death on the cross allows me to go right to him and I don’t have to rely on someone remembering what I said to take it to him for me. This has freed me up so much and has helped me grow so much closer to Jesus.
3. Listen or read up to 3:52
A. What stands out and why? – Oh my, a vision or the true physical being of God through Jesus. I never saw that before. I would take his physical presence over a vision any day.
B. What was the gift we studied last week? Share one thing you will remember about it that helps you right now in the world. – Hope. I can know without a doubt that Jesus has reserved my spot in heaven with him. There is so much more for us as Christians because we have the hope to believe and trust in a God who loves us more than his own son and wants to be with us for eternity.
C. Keller says this week is the greatest gift. What is it and why might it be the greatest gift? – It’s Jesus in physical form. We don’t have to think that there is a God, Jesus was among them in physical form so they saw first hand that there is a God. Jesus came to earth in bodily form and could be seen and touched.
D. How does this gift make Christianity different from all the world religions? – Jesus is the only true God who came down to earth to walk among us. There are no other religions who can claim this fact. All other religion gods are in thought only.
Julie, I really appreciated hearing your testimony in answer to question 2 C. What a wonderful thing that God opened you and your husband’s eyes to the truth of what Jesus accomplished and that God tore the veil in two so people could come to Him.
From Julie:
All other religion gods are in thought only.
Monday: The Text and The Opening
2. Read John 14:7-11
A. What stands out and why?
—Jesus is saying to know and see me is the same as knowing God the Father. But yet Phillip asks him to show them the Father. I was so like Phillip in that Jesus was clearly demonstrating Who he was and the love he had for me but I still didn’t get it. I had His very words before me often in the scriptures, sermons, good Christian books and seeing Him in the lives of other believers. But I wanted to see the Father for myself. Supposedly something more tangible.
In verse 11 Jesus says “Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.” As I related in my Sunday God Hunt my verse for the year from 1 John 4:16 says:
”So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us….”.
Belief was a crucial part of knowing the love He had for me.
B. What was Philip missing? List the things Jesus tells him.
—“Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.”
Phillip was missing the faith needed to see God the Father present and at work in and through Jesus.
C. Was there a time when you knew about Jesus but didn’t really know Him? Did you think, like Philip, that you knew Him? What made the penny drop?
—I accepted Christ into my heart as a young child so there has never really been a time I lived my life apart from Jesus not knowing him but for much of my life I lived not knowing him very well. It has been a slow growth process over the years of coming to know Him well. And that has happened primarily through the Word and prayer. Kt is those two things that have made my faith grow.
3. Listen or read up to 3:52
A. What stands out and why?
—This reminds me it is important as to what we believe but more importantly Who we believe in.
John 14:1 ““Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” That’s where it all starts.
B. What was the gift we studied last week? Share one thing you will remember about it that helps you right now in the world.
—The gift is Hope. And it is that wonderful hope of Heaven that brings peace into our lives for this present time. The key is in what Jesus did. In going to prepare a place for us He was going to the Cross. By having a clearer understanding of how the Cross gives us hope we gain a deeper appreciation of so great a Salvation we have and an increased desire to share that hope with others.
C. Keller says this week is the greatest gift. What is it and why might it be the greatest gift?
—Through Jesus we can know the Father. Knowing God transcends just seeing God because in knowing Him it becomes an intimate relationship with Him. Really that is what Salvation involves. Not just seeing Who God is with our minds but knowing Him in our hearts. That deep level of personal acquaintance and intimacy.
D. How does this gift make Christianity different from all the world religions?
—It is all about a relationship with God. A relationship gained by faith in Him and dependent solely on Him. As Keller has said it is received and not achieved. We cannot do anything to obtain it. It is a gift.
All other religions require doing actions of some kind to obtain favor with its god or leader.
Man asks what are the works we can do for God but John 6:29 says “Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.””
2. Read John 14:7-11
A. What stands out and why? It is the Father living in Me. I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. What a difficult concept to understand the first time you hear it.
B. What was Philip missing? List the things Jesus tells him. He had been with Jesus a long time. The miracles Jesus had done
C. Was there a time when you knew about Jesus but didn’t really know Him? Did you think, like Philip, that you knew Him? What made the penny drop? Yes. I was just doing what church people seemed to be doing. Falling in Love with Jesus Bible study really helped me believe and trust there was more than just knowing Jesus was real and died for my sons
3. Listen or read up to 3:52
A. What stands out and why? Chapter 14 is a marvelous set of treasures hope, peace and knowing the Father through Jesus. I’ve never realized that.
B. What was the gift we studied last week? Share one thing you will remember about it that helps you right now in the world. That heaven is filled with love. How wonderful for my loved ones to now bask in that love knowing they are completely whole and accepted. Praise God.
C. Keller says this week is the greatest gift. What is it and why might it be the greatest gift? We can know God and see how great He really is. God is so vast and complex yet through Jesus we can know Him – see His power, His healing, His sacrifice and unfailing, never ending love.
D. How does this gift make Christianity different from all the world religions? God came to us and paved the way through death on the cross to give us free access to where He is. I don’t have to earn it.. It’s a free gift
1. Your turn to share a God Hunt.
I think for me, it has been that when I have been at my lowest point, He shows up. Every time. Without fail. He loves me so….♥️♥️
2. Read John 14:7-11
What stands out and why?
It’s as if Jesus is having to convince them that He is also the Father. They don’t get it!
B. What was Philip missing? List the things Jesus tells him.
If they know Him, they know the Father.
If they have seen Him, they have seen the Father.
The words He speaks are the Father’s words.
Just believe the Father is on me.
C. Was there a time when you knew about Jesus but didn’t really know Him? Did you think, like Philip, that you knew Him? What made the penny drop?
I thought going to church was enough. It wasn’t. When I came to actually know Jesus I was absolutely amazed at the knowledge. When I gave completely up his when I began to know Him.
Sadly Laura, I think a lot of people think like you thought, that going to church was all they needed to do. I know that’s how I was growing up.
3. Listen or read up to 3:52
A. What stands out and why?
Tim Keller talks about knowing the Father through Jesus. I’ve always known the scripture about only being able to get to heaven through Jesus, but for some reason this scripture is radioactive with me right now. To know the Father, I must know Jesus.
B. What was the gift we studied last week? Share one thing you will remember about it that helps you right now in the world.
The gift of hope. To never be troubled by what I see in the world. He is waiting for me, with my place by Him already prepared. Our world is becoming one that is upside down. People get away with crimes and no consequences. Horrible things like being punched in the face and not being put in jail. Then, they do it again. It’s not right. Jesus will make it right in the end.
C. Keller says this week is the greatest gift. What is it and why might it be the greatest gift?
It is love. Because we are required to love everyone if we are Christians. Even our enemies. It’s hard. We are loved by Him even when we don’t deserve it. 1 Corinthians comes to mind. Love is patient, kind, etc. With it we experience freedom and Christ Himself
.
D. How does this gift make Christianity different from all the world religions?
Other religions require the followers to do something to be rewarded. With Christianity, we are accepted and saved by grace. Thank You Lord!
I love when the scripture is radioactive with me. Amen Laura!
1. Your turn to share a God Hunt. I spent so much of my time with guilt and regret about how immature I was as a young mother, thinking about how I wish that I would have done things differently and blaming myself for any and all “shortcomings” that my sons have. One day I just felt God reassuring me that He knew how young and immature I was and the mistakes that I was going to make. He was the one who chose the time and circumstances that my children were born in. That He cares more for them than I do and He’ll do His will in their lives. It greatly eased my burden.
What a beautiful reminder that God is greater than our mistakes and works all things out for good.
I totally understand what you have said here Dawn. I was in my early 20s when my two older children were born and I also carried a lot of guilt over my immaturity and failings as a mother but God brought me to that same point. I had to acknowledge his sovereignty as to when my children were born and that they were born to my husband and I.
Oh Dawn — I so identify with your young mother guilt and LOVE what the Lord told you.
Oh, Dawn! How I relate to this! So thankful for our Heavenly Father! This is such a great reminder of how faithful He is! I was clueless, yet He was faithful! I prayed my way through those years.
I wasn’t young when I had my kids, but I sure felt as if I failed them both as a single mom. But God…
3. It’s possible to have information about God but not really know Him personally.
4. What is being said, in a nutshell, in each of these texts?
A. Matthew 7:22
Some were given the privilege to be able to act as Jesus acted. They did not know Jesus personally.
B. John 17:3
Knowing Jesus allows us to live eternally with Him in heaven.
C. Jeremiah 9:23-24
The only thing to boast about is God, not how wise or powerful I am.
Tuesday: What is possible? Knowing God.
Listen up to 14:35 when he begins to speak about Jonathan Edwards.
4. What is being said, in a nutshell, in each of these texts?
A. Matthew 7:22
B. John 17:3
C. Jeremiah 9:23-24
—The most important thing in all of life is “knowing” God. The only true God and His Son Jesus Christ.
Watch and or read up to 14:35
5. What stands out and why?
—Jesus told Phillip it is possible to know God. And that happens through the Words of Jesus. He gave the example of the soldiers who were sent by the religious leaders to arrest Jesus and came back without Him because they said “No one ever spoke the way this man speaks.”
Keller said don’t argue with people about Jesus or think about Jesus or ponder Jesus, read books about Jesus. Go to the page and listen to what he says.
I think of my close friend who was a professed atheist until she was 33 but began reading the Bible with an intent to dispel its credibility to a women’s bible study group and ended up seeing Jesus and becoming a believer. She never made it to the group with her arguments so no one else convinced her. Just Jesus with his words.
6. How does Keller say the average person would define a Christian?
—by saying “Somebody who goes to church services or somebody who believes certain doctrines or somebody who follows certain ethical rules.”
7. What was his point about the words of the Father?
—That Jesus was saying to Philip. “I want you to realize that when you read my words, when you really listen to my teaching in my words, that is how God is powerfully present and working in your life.”
The words of God were revealed in Jesus and that is the key to seeing God being revealed through him.
How many famous apologists read the Bible with an intent to destroy its credibility and were converted! I think of Nicky Gumble, Lee Strobel, Josh McDowell…
I was thinking the same thing Dee. So many try to show it as being false or a lie, but can’t find what they need to do it. I love that!
4. What is being said, in a nutshell, in each of these texts?
A. Matthew 7:22
You can say you know Me and do things in My Name, yet we never had a relationship and you never gave Me your heart. It was all a surface relationship, not as person relationship.
B. John 17:3
Jesus glorified the Father in all He did; His prayer to God: this is eternal life that all may know You, God the Father and Jesus the Son of God. You do not have eternal life unless you know God personally.
C. Jeremiah 9:23-24
A wise man does not glory in his wisdom, his power, or riches, but he should glory in Knowing God. The deep fulfillment and sustained richness are from knowing God. We are to be a beacon for God in our behavior, love, words and deeds and not a beacon for ourselves or our successes.
Tuesday: What is possible? Knowing God.
Listen up to 14:35 when he begins to speak about Jonathan Edwards.
4. What is being said, in a nutshell, in each of these texts?
A. Matthew 7:22 – We can know of Jesus, but we need to truly know him, like we know ourselves.
B. John 17:3 – We all need to know God and Jesus who was sent in our place to die for our sins in order to have eternal life. We can’t just know them in passing.
C. Jeremiah 9:23-24 – We can have all the riches in the world, but those things will never be enough to satisfy us. We need the love relationship with Jesus for us to ever feel like we have enough.
Watch and or read up to 14:35
5. What stands out and why? – I don’t have to think that I am not a strong enough Christian to really know Christ. The smartest and most knowledgeable can think they know him because they know His Word, but do they have the deep meaning of his word or just the top layer. I always say anyone can study and pass a test, but are you really grasping what you are studying. I think that is the key, we can’t just read His Word, we have to know it within our hearts and minds.
6. How does Keller say the average person would define a Christian? – They define Christians as someone who goes to church and believes in certain doctrine and follow certain rules that are ethical.
7. What was his point about the words of the Father? – I’m not really clear on this and not sure how to get it out of my head and written down here, but I think what he is saying is that the words of the Father are deeds and require no action, not unlike us, who when we speak we have to have an action behind it. The example of the turning on the light, we have to get up and turn it on, but when the Father says let there be light, Jesus is the light, no action, it just is…Not sure if any of this make sense at all. Looking forward to seeing what others say.
I think you got it, Julie!
Wednesday: How Is it Possible to Know God? Part I.
Listen up to 27:23 when he asks “What does he mean by flintiness?_
8. Jonathan Edwards explains why people said “no one ever spoke like this man.” No one was ever both divine and human. List some of the contrasting qualities of Jesus.I’ll get you started:
Majesty but deep humility
—strong commitment to justice, yet infinite mercy,
—tenderness, yet with no weakness,
—boldness without any harshness,
—humility without any uncertainty,
—unbending conviction,
yet totally approachable,
—insisting on truth, yet bathed in love.
—Power without insensitivity.
—Integrity without rigidity.
—Passion without prejudice.
9. What does Psalm 34:8 say and what does it mean?
—“Taste and see that the Lord is good…..”
It isn’t just a matter of thinking or believing God is good. It is the sensory experience of tasting and then “seeing” or knowing that God is good from your own experience.
10. Keller gave an example of two women who broke up with their fiance´s – one never got over it and one did. Why?
—It had to do with the one woman not truly “knowing” God’s love for her and when the fiancé rejected her the knowing in her head wasn’t enough so bitterness set in. The other truly had understood in her heart that God loved her and so when rejected that love sustained her through the heartbreak.
11. Can you give an example of a loss in your life over which you did or did not get bitter? Why did you react as you did, do you think?
—I’m having trouble pinpointing a loss small or large to relate because losses in life are many and varied but I would say bitterness has not been an ongoing aspect of my life because frankly God just simply doesn’t allow it. Any of the times I may have wallowed a bit in a loss He has always brought conviction in my heart to return to Him and trust his purposes. And the beauty of being in relationship with him there is always comfort to be found in his love when I had a loss.
12. He said “You can know the Bible and not know Jesus” but “You can’t know Jesus and not know the Bible.” Thoughts?
—It is a sobering thought. I’ve observed it and it isn’t pretty when someone only has a head knowledge. They tend to be hard and more self focused people. It is true that God’s Word is living and so it is an integral part of really knowing Jesus.
13. Test yourself on these ways (on a spectrum) to know if you truly know God. (He said there were four, but I only heard three.)
A. What is the prayer life like of one who really knows God?
—They increasingly pray more. It becomes the habit of their lives.
B. Have you had experiences of God in your prayer life? (Gave example of Daniel Steele)
—Yes, but I can’t really explain the sense of His presence to anyone else. It is that intimate experience of just “knowing “.
C. What long-term deep
changes in your heart are you seeing? Or has your heart gotten flinty — hard?
—I have and am growing in my love for others. I am not nearly as quick to write off hard to love and ungodly people as I was in my earlier life. I had an impatience and flintiness with such. God has tremendously softened that in my deeper understanding of his love for all.
Such a good post, Bev — and growth!
Love your answers to 13 Bev.
Watch and or read up to 14:35
5. What stands out and why?
God’s Words are power. God’s Words are deeds. He said let there be light and there was light. God spoke the world into existence. I love Keller’s story of John 7 and the soldiers, who went to arrest Jesus and came back empty handed. Keller:” The Words of Jesus reveal an extraordinary beauty and a shocking unearthly beauty that showed them who He was.” If we take the time to read God’s Word first hand it will penetrate our hearts and show us a picture of who God is. The power of Jesus’ Words leads us to see Him and if you see Him, you have seen Father.
6. How does Keller say the average person would define a Christian?
A Christian is often described as one who goes to church, lives by certain principles, and believes certain doctrines. Yet, there is no eternal life unless you know Jesus and God, personally.
7. What was his point about the words of the Father?
There is no knowing God, unless you have seen the Father because you have seen Jesus, by hearing His words. There is no personal relationship with Jesus or God, except through your heart. The power of God comes into your life, by listening to God’s words. Don’t expect a visual image to come visit you….web pages, books and seminars do not show you Jesus. Reading God’s Word in the Bible, will bring Jesus alive to you.
Patti, I like your answer to #7 and for me listening to ‘outside’ sources on God, helps me get my Bible to see what IT says.
8. Jonathan Edwards explains why people said “no one ever spoke like this man.” No one was ever both divine and human. List some of the contrasting qualities of Jesus. I’ll get you started:
Majesty but deep humility; Strong commitment to justice, et infinite mercy; tenderness without any weakness; Boldness without any harshness; humility without any uncertainty, yet towering confidence ; unbending conviction yet totally approachable; Insistent on truth, yet bathed in love; Power without insensitivity; Integrity without rigidity; Passion without prejudice.
Great, Patti! How is it going with your daughter Darcy there?
We are having a wonderful time, dear Dee. We have had fun dinners and coffee dates with her dear friends. Tonight, we are having Trish and Debbie for dinner. It has been a good and peaceful time. Looking at East Coast homes. 🙂 Love seeing my grown girls growing in the Lord. God is so good.
This makes me happy!
Wednesday: How Is it Possible to Know God? Part I.
Listen up to 27:23 when he asks “What does he mean by flintiness? – What I get out of Tim Keller’s explanation is that we may not have given our whole heart to God because of some hurt in the past. But when we meet him daily, our heart will fill up with more of God and his love and all those hurtful spots will melt away and be replaced by the Word of God.
8. Jonathan Edwards explains why people said “no one ever spoke like this man.” No one was ever both divine and human. List some of the contrasting qualities of Jesus.I’ll get you started: Majesty but deep humility – Strong commitment to justice/infinite mercy; tenderness/no weakness; boldness/no harshness; humility/without uncertainty; power/without insensitivity
9. What does Psalm 34:8 say and what does it mean? – “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” God doesn’t want us to just know God is good, he wants us to experience His goodness and love. He wants us to move from a head knowledge to a sensory knowledge so we can really feel his presence in our lives.
10. Keller gave an example of two women who broke up with their fiance´s – one never got over it and one did. Why? – The one who stayed bitter never really had the love of God in her heart, that thought just stayed in her head. She never grasped the sense of his arms around her in a hug. The other girl knew him deeply, down in to her heart, not just the head knowledge of knowing there’s a God. She felt him around her like he was physically with her.
11. Can you give an example of a loss in your life over which you did or did not get bitter? Why did you react as you did, do you think? – For me, other than the loss of loved ones, the loss that hurt the most was when my now deceased ex-husband cheated on me and my children. I just wanted to be married and have a family, but with the help of my pastor, and clarification on I Cor 7:12-16, I learned to let go and accept the love from God that I knew I was deserving of. The after effects took a bit, it was hard to trust and believe that others were not like him, but with prayer and knowing who loved me, I made it through and so did my boys.
12. He said “You can know the Bible and not know Jesus” but “You can’t know Jesus and not know the Bible.” Thoughts? – I think for me, this has happened in my life. I didn’t grow up reading the Bible, but I knew what it was, we had a very pretty one sitting on the coffee table. But once my knowledge started changing and I became more eager to really know, I started reading the Bible, I checked the box. That changed in to seeing things happen in my life (Jesus) that I know was not done by any human heart. I’ve gotten to the point in my life now that I dig deeper. I ask for wisdom before I study so I can find Jesus in what I’m reading. He’s everywhere in the Bible, so knowing him and what he’s done will surely help me find him in my reading. I need to get to the point that I’m reading with a purpose, not just reading. This will be the only way I will know Jesus and through him, His Word.
13. Test yourself on these ways (on a spectrum) to know if you truly know God. (He said there were four, but I only heard three.) – #1-people who know God have a more sustained, steady prayer life; #2-the more you know God, the more you actually have experiences of God in your prayer life; #3-the more you know God the more you see long term deep changes in your heart. On a spectrum I’m getting there. I can’t say I’m strong or where I need to be yet, but I do pray to thank Him for another day and of course when there are troubles. I pray for people more than myself, but I need to change this up and have a conversation with my ‘friend Jesus’. I have seen God answer prayers and I have seen a change in my heart. But I know I have room for improvement on all of these.
A. What is the prayer life like of one who really knows God? – It’s a life that holds a conversation with God. Not just ask for things to get the prayer time out of the way, but to have a sit down conversation over coffee with Jesus. I need to not be afraid to come to him with questions and concerns, as we learned in the Lamentations study, it’s ok to let God know I’m not where I need to be and ask him for help to get there. I need to see that God is the only one who will love me unconditionally so I need to reach out to him more each day and talk to him like the friend he is.
B. Have you had experiences of God in your prayer life? (Gave example of Daniel Steele) – When I first glanced at this, I thought Tim Keller was quoting Danielle Steele LOL. I have sensed God telling me to not go on a trip once, where I would be driving by myself. I had been praying, and I’m not even sure where I was going, or what I was praying, but I do remember the sense that he was telling me not to go. It was a deep sense of ‘fear’ but I know he doesn’t give us a spirit of fear, but it just seemed like something may happen. Hard to explain, but I felt it was from God, so I did not go.
C. What long-term deep changes in your heart are you seeing? Or has your heart gotten flinty — hard? – I’m more hungry to see Jesus in my studies for one. I can see the good in situations more now and not think ‘wow is me, poor me’, not just for myself, but it helps others too when I see a different perspective on things.
Julie, You have a strong testimony in your answer to # 11. Thanks for sharing. It had to be so terribly hard. Praise God for getting you through.
Bing — so much of this post is just wonderful — your testimony, this opening comment:
What I get out of Tim Keller’s explanation is that we may not have given our whole heart to God because of some hurt in the past. But when we meet him daily, our heart will fill up with more of God and his love and all those hurtful spots will melt away and be replaced by the Word of God.
And Kathy Keller told Tim Keller to clarify with the congregation he was not talking about Danielle Steele the romance author. 🙂
Amen to Bev. Thank you for sharing your difficult experience so openly, Julie. So thankful the Lord and His Word, got you through this difficult time.
6. How does Keller say the average person would define a Christian?
Someone who goes to church, follows a doctrine, is involved is how people would define an average Christian.
7. What was his point about the words of the Father?
Because Jesus was divine and human, words (virtues or traits) are combined that are sort of opposites. High majesty, yet deepest humility, strong commitment to justice yet infinite mercy, tenderness without weakness, boldness without harshness, humility without uncertainty, passion without prejudice, etc. Normal humans only have one of the virtues. He is beautiful.
Thursday: How Is It Possible To Know God? Part II.
Listen up to 30:56 when he mentions the three words “From now on.”
14. What are some of the things that might create a flinty heart? Do you think this has happened to you?
—He says it could be anger that has a core spot in us.
Yes I have struggled with anger. In fact in the past when I was hurt by someone or something my first response tended towards anger.
A number of years ago my sister and I were together visiting our brother for a weekend and one evening his wife at the time treated us rudely and in an unkind way. We didn’t respond at the time but later went back to the room we were sharing together and feeling very hurt by it I was angry. But my sister who was equally hurt just sat down and cried. I realized then how differently we reacted to the very same offense. My sister cried and I got mad. Needless to say it left me with significant “flintiness”.
15. What will melt that spot?
—Keller’s answer is “A deep understanding of God’s unconditional love in Jesus Christ that you experience bit by bit by bit, and it starts to finally change it. Nothing else will reach that spot.” Also he said only a sustained prayer life with a repeated experience of God’s love, seeing Jesus and through seeing Jesus, really knowing God. I know that to be true personally because it became true in my own life. As Keller said bit by bit by bit that understanding of God’s unconditional love started to change me and melt that spot.
Years later and only a few days before that sister in-law passed away from cancer I was able to have a meaningful and precious phone conversation with her and express love to her. Believe me when I say that was only God.
16. What did he mean by “the unfolding of your Word gives light.” Give an example of how you have experienced this.
—He said “the more you know God, the more you sense God speaking to you through that book .”(the Bible). And he said “The more you see depths, infinite depths in the Bible, no matter how often you come back to it, you see new things.”
An example is hard to think of off the top of my head. Honestly it is often my experience at this point in my life to behold wonderful things out of the Bible because I am in God’s Word daily. That wasn’t always true of my life. But now in my later years I have come to love the Bible because it is where I really meet and experience God speaking to me. Ok for instance my verse for the year is 1 John 4:16
”So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.“
The first half of that verse has become my experience. Knowing and believing the love that God has for me. My word for the year is “abide” and as I abide in that love it has changed me.
God is so very very Good!! 💕
Interesting about your different responses to hurt with your sister — and your vulnerability is so good. Thank you, Bev.
Oh, Bev. Tears reading about your experience with the phone conversation with your sister in law. Thanking God for prompting your tender heart.
Oh Bev, your answers to 14 and 15, so from the heart and true and awesome how God melted those spots in time for you and your sister-in-law.
9. What does Psalm 34:8 say and what does it mean?
To taste and see that the Lord is good, is like savoring His Words.
This quote always reminds me of this idea: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” (The Little Prince)
10. Keller gave an example of two women who broke up with their fiance´s – one never got over it and one did. Why?
The woman who overcame the rejection of the breakup, did well because the love of God was real in her heart. She tasted and trusted His Word. Her relationship with God was the most important relationship to her.
11. Can you give an example of a loss in your life over which you did or did not get bitter? Why did you react as you did, do you think?
I am been crushed by the loss of my husband, yet I know that God had this all in His hands. I know I will always be lonely and miss my husband deeply, yet I know that God has a plan for the rest of my life. I pray that I can find community and draw others to Jesus, wherever He directs me. I pray to taste Him, through His Word and through prayer. He is faithful.
12. He said “You can know the Bible and not know Jesus” but “You can’t know Jesus and not know the Bible.” Thoughts?
If I truly know Jesus, I desire to know Him better through His Word and iron sharpening iron with other Christians in Bible study. There are people and leaders who know the Bible, but the love of their life is not Jesus; it may be prominence, money, career, even preaching that comes first; Jesus needs to come first.
13. Test yourself on these ways (on a spectrum) to know if you truly know God. (He said there were four, but I only heard three.)
The more steady and sustained is your prayer life if you truly know God. The more you know Him, the more you sense His presence in your heart. The more you know Him, the more you see deep lasting changes.
A. What is the prayer life like of one who really knows God?
Your prayer life is filled with praise prayers, as well as prayers of need. If you only pray when things go bad, you don’t really know God.
B. Have you had experiences of God in your prayer life? (Gave example of Edward Steele)
When I am living closest to God, I sense His love and care in my heart and in my life. If I am hurt and bitterness rises, I need to pray for Him to remind me that He alone is God and He alone is the judge of others, who may be hurting me. It is not my job. My life is to be seeking His plan and direction for my life, because I know is my heart that He is God and that He will sustain me.
C. What long-term deep changes in your heart are you seeing? Or has your heart gotten flinty — hard?
I pray so often that my heart will not get flinty. It is so easy in our society to focus on my own hurts. I pray that the Lord will help me to understand that I cannot be in charge or change the hearts of others. I pray that when I feel some sense of judgment or resentment, the Lord will stop me in my tracks and remind me how imperfect I am. (ouch!) And He does! Yet, I am so thankful He does that. Hardened hearts get harder and I don’t want to be that person.
Hope you will all read Patti’s responses to B and C. She has experienced severe hurt but really lives this.
Thank you, Dee, for your long time friendship, love and prayers.
Patti, It brings tears to my eyes as I think of your crushing loss of your husband last year. I can only imagine but I’m grateful God has Dee in your life to walk along side you through it. I noticed your comment earlier that you are looking at a cross country move. Praying for God’s good hand to be in the middle if that for you.
Thank you, Bev. It has been a hard time, yet God is always good and I am so blessed to have Dee in my life, all these many years.
Patti, love all your answers. They help me to see just how loving and close God can be to us, when we let him in. Hugs to you my friend and wisdom to know where your journey is leading.
14. What are some of the things that might create a flinty heart? Do you think this has happened to you? Anger, a hardness of heart to not be hurt again, I think there was a time in my life that I was guarding my heart and not trusting people. Slowly God changed that and until thinking about this I didn’t realized I had done that.
15. What will melt that spot? The love of God and the enlightenment of His Word.
16. What did he mean by “the unfolding of your Word gives light.” Give an example of how you have experienced. Holy Spirit has drawn me to the words of light and freedom and a desire for them that I didn’t understand. Then through prayer with others He gave me freedom from guilt, shame and unforgiveness.
Judy, amen to the release you got from God in #16.
Monday: The Text and The Opening
This encounter Jesus has with Philip reminds me of an encounter with God my brother-in-law, a Lutheran pastor had. Through the ministry of “Alpha” John came to realize he knew about God, but he didn’t really know him. He wept tears of regret for leading sheep without truly knowing God, and tears of joy for finally knowing Him and experiencing His love firsthand.
2. Read John 14:7-11
A. What stands out and why?
I was like Philip for so many years and in more ways than one. I thank God, though, that there were many times when God would put an ache in my heart for something more than what this world can offer. Or what ministry can offer me.
B. What was Philip missing? List the things Jesus tells him.
What Philip needed was just “in front of his nose”. Jesus told him that the Father is in Him and if you know Jesus, you know the Father as well.
C. Was there a time when you knew about Jesus but didn’t really know Him? Did you think, like Philip, that you knew Him? What made the penny drop?
Yes and yes. I believe that the penny dropped for me because of Dee and this blog. I couldn’t remember the exact time; perhaps, it was when I was reading Idol Lies. The book brought to the forefront the idols I have been clinging to. I realized Jesus is all I need and that I never knew Him as I should. From then on, my relationship with Jesus is just like peeling an onion. “The more I get to know you, Jesus, the more I fall in love” as one song goes.
3. Listen or read up to 3:52
A. What stands out and why?
Knowing God is better than a vision of God. I was reminded of a dream that my Mom shared with me when she thought she was dying in the hospital. She said in her dream, my Dad was waving at her, and she kept saying to him, “Not yet”. Then, Jesus appeared and sat at the side of her bed and said, “Not yet”. My Mom lived another year after that before she passed away. I don’t remember if she told me what Jesus looked like. My mom was never the same after that in the sense that she was the most peaceful about life as she’s ever been.
B. What was the gift we studied last week? Share one thing you will remember about it that helps you right now in the world.
Hope. There is more to life than what is here on this earth. Jesus has prepared a place for me that is beyond my imagination. And the triune God will be there!
C. Keller says this week is the greatest gift. What is it and why might it be the greatest gift?
We can know the Father through Jesus Christ who came in the flesh. Because He came, a future with him and the Father is promised and fulfilled.
D. How does this gift make Christianity different from all the world religions?
No other gift came in the form of flesh and died for me so I can know the Father and His love.
Oh Bing, you bless me.
Oh, Bing! The story of your mom gave me good chills. God is so good and so personal.
Tuesday: What is possible? Knowing God.
Listen up to 14:35 when he begins to speak about Jonathan Edwards.
4. What is being said, in a nutshell, in each of these texts?
A. Matthew 7:22 It is possible to be doing something for God and be a successful minister or theologian and not know God. On Judgment Day, many will tell Jesus that they did miracles and prophesied but Jesus will say He doesn’t know them.
B. John 17:3 there is no eternal life without knowing God.
C. Jeremiah 9:23-24 If we are to boast, it is only because we know God.
Watch and or read up to 14:35
5. What stands out and why?
Jesus’ words reveal an unearthly person. When Jesus spoke, you start seeing Him.
6. How does Keller say the average person would define a Christian?
A Christian is one who goes to church and who follows certain doctrines or ethics.
7. What was his point about the words of the Father?
The words of the Father are His deeds. What He says is so.
Wednesday: How Is it Possible to Know God? Part I.
Listen up to 27:23 when he asks “What does he mean by flintiness?_
8. Jonathan Edwards explains why people said “no one ever spoke like this man.” No one was ever both divine and human. List some of the contrasting qualities of Jesus.I’ll get you started:
Majesty but deep humility
strong commitment to justice, yet infinite mercy
tenderness, yet with no weakness
boldness without any harshness
humility without any uncertainty
towering confidence, unbending conviction, yet totally approachable
insisting on truth, yet bathed in love.
Power without insensitivity.
Integrity without rigidity.
Passion without prejudice.
Divine and human
A lion and a lamb.
9. What does Psalm 34:8 say and what does it mean?
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed are those who take refuge in Him.
God used sensory language. not just head knowledge but sensory knowledge of God. He gave us our senses and reminded us of who He is through these senses.
10. Keller gave an example of two women who broke up with their fiance´s – one never got over it and one did. Why?
One had her cup full to the bottom and therefore bitterness couldn’t get into it. She had tasted the goodness of God and therefore could deal with the break-up.
11. Can you give an example of a loss in your life over which you did or did not get bitter? Why did you react as you did, do you think?
I have lost some friendships. For a time, the sense of loss catered to my idol of approval. But when I realized that Jesus is above all my losses and He loves me more than any friend could, the bitterness did not fester. Instead, God showed me how to continue to love my friend from a distance.
12. He said “You can know the Bible and not know Jesus” but “You can’t know Jesus and not know the Bible.” Thoughts?
The Bible is Jesus’ words to me. The more I spent time in it, the more I knew Jesus from the heart rather than my head.
13. Test yourself on these ways (on a spectrum) to know if you truly know God. (He said there were four, but I only heard three.)
More sustained prayer life; Have experiences with God in your prayer life; the more you see long-term deep changes in your heart; you get a sense that the Bible is a divine book.
A. What is the prayer life like of one who really knows God?
Prayer becomes like oxygen to the one who knows God-life giving and joy giving.
B. Have you had experiences of God in your prayer life? (Gave example of Daniel Steele)
Yes. As of late, I linger more in just being quiet with Him. and for some reason, I cry more thinking of the sacredness of the hour or the minutes I spend time with Him.
C. What long-term deep changes in your heart are you seeing? Or has your heart gotten flinty — hard?
I am not as easily offended by people as I used to. The initial hurt is continually being replaced with love for the other person. It happened today and God comforted me in a way that I knew He is good. and always will be.
8. Jonathan Edwards explains why people said “no one ever spoke like this man.” No one was ever both divine and human. List some of the contrasting qualities of Jesus.I’ll get you started:
Majesty but deep humility
I did this in number 7.
9. What does Psalm 34:8 say and what does it mean?
Taste what the Lord has for you. You will enjoy it!
There is a sensory-ness to it. Your heart senses the reality of good of God. It is an experiential thing.
10. Keller gave an example of two women who broke up with their fiance´s – one never got over it and one did. Why?
One never gets over it. The second one does. The first one has an abstract feeling of the love of God. She was bitter. The second one knew the love of God and had a sweetness on her life. Regardless of what happens in your life, this sweetnessq overcomes the worldly happenings.
11. Can you give an example of a loss in your life over which you did or did not get bitter? Why did you react as you did, do you think?
Our oldest son has not spoken to us in 3 years. I would say I am sad, but not bitter. In that time he has had a baby and we have never been able to see our young grandson. It is pretty awful to think of, to be honest. We are making a savings for the baby. Hopefully he will get it one day. I suppose I feel the way I do because I know Jesus now (not saying I know Him well) compared to when I didn’t know Him. But ever since I was 12, and He spoke to me at my dying dad’s bed, I knew He was always with me. So the events in my life were conducted by Him, and yes I have cried out to Him to change many of them, but know that He is in charge. I have accepted that He is guiding my life.
12. He said “You can know the Bible and not know Jesus” but “You can’t know Jesus and not know the Bible.” Thoughts?
Where do you see Jesus? Is he just a historical figure in your head? When He becomes a reality then you really know Him. The Bible explains who He really is and what He portrays.
13. Test yourself on these ways (on a spectrum) to know if you truly know God. (He said there were four, but I only heard three.)
The more you know God, the more you have a…
1 – steady and sustained your prayer life.
2 – sense of His presence on your heart.
3 – deep lasting change in your life.
4 – trust in the Bible.
A. What is the prayer life like of one who really knows God?
Constant, not ending, and knowing His presence is with you.
B. Have you had experiences of God in your prayer life? (Gave example of Daniel Steele)
Yes! I have prayed and God has answered me right after I prayed. It was crazy. I know His love , His presence during or right after praying.
C. What long-term deep changes in your heart are you seeing? Or has your heart gotten flinty — hard?
I can see myself getting better at loving and accepting and being less judgmental. I am trying to be more accepting of others who are not like me.
Oh Laura – such a sorrow to be separated from your son and grandson. May the Lord who brings down walls bring down this one!
Laura, I too am sorry about the estrangement between you and your son and his little one. My advice is to just keep praying. I have seen first hand it can take some years for God to move and break a hard heart but I know He never ever does not hear and somehow answer the prayers of a Mother’s heart. ❤️
Oh, Laura. How you love your son so much even if it is not reciprocated by him! And yes, it is a comfort to us to know that God is always with us and He is in charge.
My heart aches for you and the loss of communication of your son and grandchild, Laura. It hurts so much. Our Father sees it all and I pray that He gives you comfort and peace, in spite of the pain. It is a complicated generation for sure. Amen to Dee and Bev. The Lord can break down walls and He hears our prayers.
Laura, I know just how hard this is. One of our sons did not speak to us for a couple of years and we were not invited to the wedding. Such a major event and we were not there. My husband and son were very close, so I know this broke his heart too. We are now back speaking and involved in their lives, even though we are in Tennessee and they are in Indiana. I will be praying for reconciliation to come to all of you.
Thank you everyone. This estrangement is really between my husband and him. My husband was extremely hurt and won’t forgive. So if you could pray for him as well as our son, it would be much appreciated. Soften hearts Lord. Thank you.
I have been at a Christian conference the past two days and haven’t been able to post much. God has been here! Last night we saw the most beautiful auroras!! My first time ever seeing it and it was amazing. Check tonight where you live. The geomagnetic storm is a level 4 and is showing all the way down to Florida!
https://spaceweather.com/
https://services.swpc.noaa.gov/images/aurora-forecast-northern-hemisphere.jpg
Our amazing Lord at work again!! Just look for strange clouds and if you take a picture for some reason you can see it better. Our magnetic field interacting with the solar wind. So cool!
Friday: Why is this possible?
Listen to the end.
17. What are the three words and why are they significant? Why is this letting Philip off the hook a bit?
—“From now on”.
The time had come for Jesus to die and as a result of what he was going to accomplish on the Cross meant it would open the door in our lives to see him and really know him. Phillip at that point in speaking with Jesus had no idea what he was about to do for him so in having no idea Phillip couldn’t truly know Him.
18. What was his point about his discussion with a woman after church who didn’t believe in Jesus — but said she believed in a loving God?
—She had relegated God to just being a loving God and didn’t view Jesus as necessary to dying on the Cross for our sins and didn’t think it was necessary to believing in Jesus to believe in a loving God.
Keller pointed out that it costs God to love us because He is not only loving but holy as well and he hates evil and since we are all complicit in evil He couldn’t love us until somehow the penalty for our sin was dealt with. His point is that God did his part through Jesus to take away the barrier of sin between us but we have to do our part by recognizing exactly what It cost God the Father and especially Jesus the Son to really come to know God. To really know God.
19. What did he say Jesus was really saying when He said, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?”
—He said Jesus was saying “Father, I can’t see you.” He was experiencing being cut off from that intimate unbroken connection and constant communication of a perfect prayer life.
I have never heard before the thinking that probably even in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus had been cut off from his Father’s presence. That makes a lot of sense. Being cut off from his Father was excruciating to the place of sweating drops of blood. But even in that an angel came to him and ministered somehow to get him to carry through to the Cross.
20. Do you think You really know God?
—Oh Yes! I can’t fathom or bear the thought of life without God my Father and Jesus my Savior and the precious Holy Spirit.
God, my Amazing God!!
Thursday: How Is It Possible To Know God? Part II.
Listen up to 30:56 when he mentions the three words “From now on.”
14. What are some of the things that might create a flinty heart? Do you think this has happened to you?
Anger, Hurt, and rejection. Yes, but God continues to show me His love through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross.
15. What will melt that spot?
God’s unconditional love.
I just saw and read a 2017 TGC review of Sally Lloyd Jones’, “The Jesus Story Book Bible” with this quote from her: “You have to know you’re loved first. Rules don’t have the power to change your heart; God’s love does.” God’s “never-ending, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love.” Sally Lloyd-Jones
16. What did he mean by “the unfolding of your Word gives light.” Give an example of how you have experienced this.
Seeing new things, wonderful things that I have never seen before. I have felt “penny droppings” and seeing the Bible as Jesus’ story more clearly from Genesis to Revelation.
These verses from Romans 12 (v. 2, 9-10) have been helping me lately to overcome hurt feelings. I had bleeped through this before. Is my love for that person who has hurt me sincere? Am I devoted to others in love?
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will… Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Love how you slow down where you may have “bleeped” through before!
Saturday:
21. What is your take-a-way and why?
—I have come away this week with a deeper appreciation of what it really means to “know” God. As my verse for the year says “You (I ) have come to know and believe the love God has for us (me)…..” 1 John 4:16
We live in a deeply self focused culture that says know thy self and follow your dreams. You deserve better! We have a loving God but don’t need Jesus. But what a privilege to know God because Jesus was crucified for my sin. And all my sins are forgiven and cleansed by the blood of Jesus.
I have a newer friend and neighbor who hasn’t grown much in her faith and has no church background at all recently indicate to me she felt I talk a lot about Jesus. She was kind of saying it was annoying her a bit. I laughed in my own spirit thinking I could take it as a compliment because there was a time I certainly was not brave enough to talk that honestly about my need and the need of others to have Jesus in their lives. I really believe over time she will understand.
Bev, isn’t this the truth? “We live in a deeply self focused culture that says know thy self and follow your dreams. You deserve better! We have a loving God but don’t need Jesus. But what a privilege to know God because Jesus was crucified for my sin. And all my sins are forgiven and cleansed by the blood of Jesus.”
I appreciate your boldness in talking a lot about Jesus and your confidence that over time your neighbor will understand.
I love all your answers, Bev. I would take your friend’s comment about talking a lot about Jesus in the best way! What could be better than to have Him at the center of our conversations! 🙂
Could be a sign God is at work in her heart!
Friday: Why is this possible?
Listen to the end.
17. What are the three words and why are they significant? Why is this letting Philip off the hook a bit?
From now on…Philip did not know that Jesus was going to the cross. We can know the Father because what separates us from Him-sin, has been paid for.
18. What was his point about his discussion with a woman after church who didn’t believe in Jesus — but said she believed in a loving God?
We have a loving and holy God. I believe these attributes need to be in perfect balance with one another. He so loved us and does now want us to be separated from Him. But because He is holy he cannot “see” us because of our sins. In His love for us, He sent Jesus to die for our sins so He can see our righteousness in Him.
19. What did he say Jesus was really saying when He said, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?”
“ I cannot see you, Father.” He is saying that He cannot see God because our sins (darkness) separated Him from the Father.
20. Do you think You really know God?
No, I don’t really know Him fully. And yes, I would like to know Him more. And He is drawing me to Him daily.
I am listening right now to Michael W. Smith singing this song:
“Draw me close to you I lay it all down again To hear You say that I’m Your friendYou are my desire No one else will do’Cause nothing else can take Your place To feel the warmth of Your embraceHelp me find the way Bring me back to You.
You’re all I want You’re all I’ve ever neededYou’re all I want Help me know You are near.”
Great song to go along with this day’s study Bing. Draw me close to you God.
Thursday: How Is It Possible To Know God? Part II.
Listen up to 30:56 when he mentions the three words “From now on.”
14. What are some of the things that might create a flinty heart? Do you think this has happened to you? – You stay bitter and hurt; you tell yourself you can’t give it up, you can’t open your heart any more because you’re afraid to let people in.
15. What will melt that spot? – A sustained prayer life and the closeness of God that he has shown you love in the past when trials and hurts have come your way. We need to remember what he has done so we can receive it all again.
16. What did he mean by “the unfolding of your Word gives light.” Give an example of how you have experienced this. – That each time we go in to God’s Word, and read scripture, even if it’s something we have read before, we will see something new, get a new glimpse of God and who Jesus really is and what he has done for us.
From Julie:
14. What are some of the things that might create a flinty heart? Do you think this has happened to you? – You stay bitter and hurt; you tell yourself you can’t give it up, you can’t open your heart any more because you’re afraid to let people in.
Friday: Why is this possible?
Listen to the end.
17. What are the three words and why are they significant? Why is this letting Philip off the hook a bit? – These words show that Jesus is about to die for us, the time has come for him to take on our sins and step in to our spot. This is the only way was can truly know him and be with the Father. The Father cannot be with sin, so we were washed clean from all sin. Philip had no idea what Jesus was about to do for him, he really didn’t understand and know Jesus deeply at this point.
18. What was his point about his discussion with a woman after church who didn’t believe in Jesus — but said she believed in a loving God? – She didn’t really know how far Jesus went for us. She didn’t know that Jesus had to take our place in order for us to have a loving Father. Her loving god did nothing but love her, our loving God, gave up his only son to have our sins put upon him so we could be closer to his Father. We took Jesus’ place along side his Father and he took our place on the cross. This love goes much deeper than a love that is a feeling from one’s heart.
19. What did he say Jesus was really saying when He said, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” – This was a new take for me and oh my. From the garden, Jesus was starting to not see the Father that had always been with him. Even though Jesus’ prayer life was sustained and strong, the sin he took from us, turned it around where he could no longer see his Father, but we now could.
20. Do you think You really know God? – I think, I’m much closer to him now than I was even last year. But to say I have grasped everything he has done for me, I still have learning to do. I can say, the more I dig in the more heart knowledge I’m getting in who Jesus really is. God loves us so much, but we can’t just know it, we have to really feel it and see it each day. The small little trials and hurts I’ve come out of, when I look back now, I can see it was only because God was walking beside me. These little trials, I know will turn in to major hikes with God. Thank you Jesus, for taking my place on the cross. How sad it must have been for you to not see your Father any more, but let me have sight of him. Amen.
17. What are the three words and why are they significant? Why is this letting Philip off the hook a bit? From now on Jesus was talking about His death Because Philips didn’t understand what Jesus was going to die for him. It’s only when I understand Christ’s extreme payment for my sin that I can start to understand how wide and long and how wise and deep is the love of Christ.
18. What was his point about his discussion with a woman after church who didn’t believe in Jesus — but said she believed in a loving God? That believing God is loving falls so very far short of who God is and what it cost Him to be loving. Because God is also just and that justice demands a penalty for sin. God in flesh paid that price,
19. What did he say Jesus was really saying when He said, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” For the first time in er Christ was separated from God because of the darkness of my sin.
20. Do you think You really know God? No, He is infinitely greater than I can grasp.
Judy — let me put that question differently, for indeed, your answer is true, but here is what I was really asking:
Do you think your relationship with God is formal, mechanical — or personal, organic, and intimate. Are you trying to change by yourself, or are you abiding in the Vine?
My relationship with God has been hard last 2 months. Not non existent but I can’t always get my heart where I want it to be. I’m trying to focus in more on relationship. Prior to that I would have said it was fairly intimate. In March my better half passed and 2 days later a longtime close friend. I have been glad I have had yours and Patty’s comments about the struggle. This week unwillingly I attended a funeral for a 41 year old man who left behind wife and 4 children. She was able to colead worship for funeral. That helped also because it was planned to be joyful. The song we left with on our lips and in our hearts was Lord You are good and Your mercy endureth forever. One of guitarist used Johnnie s guitar to bring a joyful noise to the Lord.
Oh Judy — how we need to pray for you. Losing a spouse is an earthquake.
Father, please be The God of All Comfort to Judy, her husband, provider, counselor, and friend. I ask this in your Son’s name.
Oh Lord, loss is so hard and yet Judy has felt it in many ways. Help her Lord, feel you near her. She needs your loving arms around her to guide her back to you. Bring her peace that only you can bring Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Judy, I’m so sorry you lost your husband and friend so suddenly. That must be hard. Praying for your peace. ♥️🙏🙏
14. What are some of the things that might create a flinty heart? Do you think this has happened to you?
Anger, maybe due to a lot of injustice. You have been hurt and you are afraid to commit now. Yes, I have been hurt and struggle in my relationships somewhat.
15. What will melt that spot?
God’s love, if the central spot can be affected by it.
16. What did he mean by “the unfolding of your Word gives light.” Give an example of how you have experienced this.
Reading, knowing, and trusting the Bible helps us to live good lives. I think of how our bodies are a temple that God gave us, for which we are to care. Treat the body with respect. It is a temporary dwelling. It makes me remember to not eat too much, drink too much, adorn too much, etc. My grandma was smart when she said to me, “Everything in moderation.”
Saturday:
21. What is your take-a-way and why?
God’s love has a price tag- the death of his Beloved Son. I was purchased through His blood therefore I can be confident in His love for me. And even if Jesus is no longer in bodily form here on earth, He and the Father are in me through the Holy Spirit to guide me and to continually show how much I am loved.
21. What is your take-a-way and why? My take away is how great God’s love is for us, and to be more consistent in genuinely resting in Him and not just going through the motions
My take-aways from this week: I am pondering why Keller says that this week is the greatest gift. The greatest gift really must be to know God, and His Son, Whom He sent. I imagine when Jesus was speaking to Philip and saying ‘don’t you know Me?” that the gift wasn’t that Jesus was standing right in front of Philip and Philip got to behold Jesus, who is very God, with his own eyes. I’m sure a lot of people saw and beheld Jesus, maybe had conversations with Him and maybe shook His hand, but never knew Him. The greatest gift God can give us is the privilege to KNOW Him, to offer Himself to us to be known, and that we can come to know His great love for us.
I also liked the example Keller gave of the woman who was able to forgive because the love of God was real to her, not in an abstract way like the woman who became bitter. God’s love became like a “sweetness at the bottom of her cup”, with the metaphor, for me, of the sweetness of His love being in the bottom of my heart and therefore, not letting any bitterness go down too deep. This really made me pause the first time I listened, because the other day I was asking God how am I to really know and believe You love me when (and I gave an example of someone close to me who says they love me, hurt me with their tone of voice and words) this person hurt me, and as I was recalling the disagreement, I could feel the emotions of hurt in myself. After hearing Keller, I thought, well, the hurt feelings I experienced are more real to me than God’s love. OH. I have to confess that I am a person who has a hard time letting go of past hurts and can find myself with often deeply buried and hidden resentments that resurface long after the offense. I want to be free from that.
Keller’s final point about “from now on”. Philip would soon know what Jesus would do for Him. I must read, meditate, and ponder what Jesus did for me to melt the flinty areas of my heart.