Scripture of the Week

Ephesians 1:18

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Dear Theophilis (Beloved of God)

  The greatest achievement that man can attain is to know God. Everything flows from the measure of our knowledge of Him.

II Peter 1:3
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

  We're thankful for the benefits that come through that knowledge. But there is a further step to take for the ultimate benefit...

1 John 2:3
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

  If we truly know Him, then we will show evidence of that by doing what His Word says.

1 John 2:5
But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

  Another meaning for the word, perfected is to be fulfilled. What a confidence builder - to have God's great love fulfilled in us!

1 John 3:18, 19
¹⁸My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
¹⁹And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

  If we are genuinely doing His Word, we can be assured that we are of the truth and on the right path. That confidence pays off.

1 John 3:21, 22
²¹Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
²²And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

  What a wonderful way to live! Our redemption ny Jesus Christ is like taking a shower and knowing that all dirt of the world is washed away. All our shortcomings are gone and we step out clean. Then to stay clean we need to be clothed with righteous-ness and practice God's Word. Then our hearts won't accuse us and we'll have the believing to receive whatever we need.

1 John 5:13-15
¹³These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
¹⁴And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
¹⁵And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

  It is axiomatic, that if we have the confidence that God truly is attentive to us, it follows that He will provide for us. You cannot buy that confidence anywhere. It only comes from assured hearts that genuinely practice God's Word - not just not sinning, but going beyond that to God's ultimate goal for us; fulfilling His love - helping those in need, speaking God's Word to those in darkness and functioning in the body of Christ. Then we will not just know Him, but we will know that we know Him!

1 John 5:19,20
¹⁹And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
²⁰And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

  Yes this is life indeed - a life of walking for God based upon knowing that we don't just hold internally, but manifest!

Bless ya' real big,
Jon Nessle