| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Deep Discipleship” Our Bible verse for today: “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands concerning the word of life – that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us – what we have seen and heard we also declare to you … 1 John 1:1-3 (CSB) Our thought for today: “First-hand experience” Do you know God, or do you just know about God? In other words, have you simply learned information about Him or have you actually experienced Him? Head knowledge is of some value but it isn’t until our relationship with God is experiential – at the heart level, that we really come to know God. That is first-hand experience and it’s what the Apostle John was describing in 1 John 1:1-3 regarding his own relationship with Jesus. John knew Jesus at the heart level. John experienced God because John walked with God. He didn’t limit himself to learning things about God, instead he lived his life with God. Last Sunday evening, in our group session for our Bible study “Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God,” our discussion centered around experiencing God by joining Him in His work. We learned of how God opens our eyes so we can see where He is at work all around us, and that then becomes our invitation to join Him in His work. Then, once we do join Him in what He is already doing right there where we are, we get to experience Him in a deeper way. We come to know Him better and experience Him more because we joined with Him in His work. The members of our group told story after story about their own personal experiences with God by joining Him in His work. Some of those stories pertained to big things, like going on international mission trips, but most of the stories were not like that. Most of them were stories about helping a neighbor, or blessing and witnessing to a coworker, or other acts of kindness and compassion engaged in because God opened their eyes to a hurting and struggling person who simply needed a little attention. And person after person said “I received the bigger blessing.” Regardless of what they did for the other person, and regardless of how blessed and grateful that other person seemed to be, the person on the giving end reported feeling as if they had received the bigger blessing. Why? Why do we feel as if we receive the bigger blessing when we do things like that? Because we are joining God in His work to bless and minister to a hurting world and when we do, it enhances our own relationship with God. We experience Him in a deeper way because we are working side-by-side with Him. Also, it feels good. It just feels good to interact with God like that, and it feels good to know that the practice of our faith not only makes a difference in our own life, but it also makes a difference in the lives of others who get blessed and helped by us. When we join God in His work, we get first-hand experience interacting with Him in a real and tangible way. So, do you want to experience God? Join Him in His work. God bless, Pastor Jim (If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville |
| Copyright © 2023 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you requested to be included in the Daily Devotional email reader group. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571 |
- Comment
- Reblog
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
Oak Hill Baptist Church 