December 29 – Aiming For What's Best

“ I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.  I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”   Ephesians 1:16-17  (NIV)

The calendar for this year is coming to its last days and we approach the close of this year.  It will be followed by a new calendar for a new year and this is a good time for us to think about what we want to experience during the new year.   Reading the words of a prayer the Apostle Paul sent to believers in Ephesus we have a good guide of some of the things we might seek to attain as we continue through each day.  Paul's prayer can be our prayer for ourselves and our family, friends and church.  We trust each one who follows this blog has experienced the true blessing of knowing God and that you would like to know Him better.  God is so great and we all have much to learn about Him.  As we learn each day in the next year we are promised help by the Spirit of wisdom and revelation.  No matter how many years or few days we have known Him, let's pray as Paul prayed here, to know Him better.  Nothing is better to aim for than that. 

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Please take a moment to share with friends.

January 3 - Wisdom and Revelation

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)

These words by the Apostle Paul are from a prayer he wrote and sent to the Christians in Ephesus. Paul's habit was to keep praying for the believers in that city.  Paul's request on behalf of his Ephesian friends was that God would give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in order that through that they would grow to know God better.  They were believers who knew God but like us all, needed to continue to know God in a deeper way. This prayer is given to us in the Bible and applies to our lives as well if we have believed and come to know God. We too want to know God better. Our promise is that through the Holy Spirit we can receive wisdom and knowledge of God. We can each ask God to give us wisdom and revelation and to teach us by His Holy Spirit more and more of God's great truths for our Christian lives each day. 

October 1 – More to Learn Everyday

“Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” Exodus 33:13 (ESV)

Moses was far along in his life when he prayed these words to God. It was a crucial time for Him. He had experienced many close encounters with God but Moses knew he still had more to learn more from God and that he needed God. Moses needed guidance and direction and he sought that from his God. No matter how long we have walked with God we haven't learned everything about Him yet. There is more for us to learn so we can pray as Moses did. We can ask God to teach us His ways. Moses knew that God would hear and He hears us too and He might use many different means to show us what he is like. When he teaches us we will know Him and as He keeps on teaching we will keep on learning to know Him. There is nothing more important for us to learn.

February 11

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)

Yesterday our verse was from the words of a prayer which the apostle Paul said he was praying for the Christians at Ephesus. Today we look at a few more words of that prayer. Paul was anxious that his Ephesian friends would grow in their knowledge of God. He said that he kept asking for this. He didn’t pray this prayer just once or just once in a while, He kept on praying over and over again that they would know God better.  And why would this be a prayer to be prayed over and over? It is because our God is so great and because there is so much to learn about Him. Yes, you and I need to keep learning to know our God in heaven. This can be our prayer today. Let us be open for Him to teach us more so that we may know Him better. Let us apply our verse to ourselves and ask God to give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation.

February 1

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.” 1 John 4:16 (NIV)

The Bible has much to say about God’s love for His people. That’s because God is anxious for us to know that He loves us. It was for this that God sent His Son to live here on earth. It was His way of showing us His love. He knows that it is important that we know of His love. It makes a difference in our lives. Human nature is that way. It responds to love demonstrated by another. But knowing is not enough. We must make use of that knowledge of His love by relying on it. That will make an even bigger difference. Let’s respond by relying and depending on that love. Whatever is your situation today expect God to show His love by responding to your need.

January 27

“Who, then, are those who fear the LORD?  He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.” Psalm 25:12 (NIV)

There are many things available to those who trust in the Lord. One is guidance in times of decision. God has plans for each of His followers and He is anxious to help us fit into His plans. So that’s why we can depend on Him to guide us in our decisions. Actually, the decisions which we make from day to day – even those which may seem minor to us – are all a part of the trend of our lives. They are just like steps along the way. Our God wants to show us every step that we are to take. The promise is for us, and we show our reverence for God by asking for his guidance. If we follow it, we will end up where He wants us – in the center of His will.

January 8

“Those who know your name trust in you,
 for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10

Maybe you’re wondering what David meant when he spoke of knowing God’s name. You are probably aware that there are people who know about God and have heard His name, but still don’t believe in Him or pay any attention to Him. Well, that is not the kind of knowledge David meant. He goes on to say that to know God’s name really means to know by experience what kind of a God He is. So when we hear His name we are reminded immediately who he is – reminded of his faithfulness to all who turn to Him. To know Him that way prompts us to trust Him, doesn’t it? That’s what this verse is telling us.