Day 259: Know It All?

1 Corinthians 8:1-3

Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.  Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much.  But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.

Knowledge is one thing, it makes us feel important and smart. However it is not everything. Knowledge does not take the place of love. I love this scripture because it points out the fact that we sometimes think we know it all. We sometimes think that having knowledge of who God is and the word of God takes the place of having an actual relationship with Him. We use our knowledge of the word to make ourselves superior to others.

For example, I’ve talked to many atheists who have read the bible back and forth, some of them even went to seminary or have degrees in theology. Yet they do not know the love of God. I have had people try to use their knowledge of God’s word to try to convince me that He isn’t real. Crazy right? I would always end up saying, you know so much, but you know nothing at all. Meaning they were very smart and versed in all things theology, but the love of God cannot be found in theology books. They read the bible not as spiritual food but as a way to enhance their own intelligence.

I can quote a scripture from remembrance, and tell you where to go in the bible for certain things. I can give you assurance that I know what I’m talking about, I went to theology school, I’ve read the books passed the classes. I can tell the Hebrew meanings of things, but at the end of the day, does it really matter if I cannot tell you about my relationship with God. Does it matter if I cannot tell you about the love of God and how His word is like a love letter to us, His children? Does it really matter how intelligent I am and well versed I am in the bible if it has taken no root in me? It doesn’t  love is much more powerful than my knowledge. My knowledge can only go so far. I can read as many theology books, attend a million conferences, get a Phd in theology but if I don’t have a relationship with God I have nothing. If I am not walking and living in love what am I doing? I don’t think God cares if I can quote a thousand scriptures off the top of my head (I’ can’t) if I am not living by what it says.

I think sometimes we get caught up in the aspect of wanting to know everything about God. Wanting to know the history of the bible, and definitions. We want to know more, but if that want or desire for knowledge is driven by the need to feel and look important it’s useless. There are things to know about God that cannot be found in a book. There are things we can only understand through the Word of God, revelations given to us directly through and by Him. We grow in our faith because we are drawn closer to the Lord everyday that we wake up, we pray because it is how we communicate with our heavenly Father, it is how we keep the relationship going. Having a relationship with God is built on more than just knowledge, it’s built on love, and through this love we find strength. It’s like saying that a relationship is more than just sex, or physical stuff. There are layers to the person we are in a relationship with, and the more we know about them the more we fall in love with them. I mean eventually if we are in a relationship with someone just for the physical stuff it’ll burn out pretty quick. What I’m saying is, we can have all the knowledge in the world but we’ll always want more. Living our lives or basing our relationship with God solely upon what we know will burn out eventually. We will always want more, we will never be satisfied with what God has given us, because that desire to want more knowledge is constantly burning within us.

All this to say, we don’t know it all and that’s actually more than okay. It’s good. In our lack of knowledge we find that we draw closer to god because we want to know Him. Not because we want to boast about how much we know about Him. Knowing God and knowing of God are two completely different things.

Response/Prayer Time

Respond in whatever way you feel led. Whatever spoke to you most about today respond to that and then pray about it. Have an honest conversation with God. Allow him to search your heart and check your motives.

I love you and Hope you have an amazing day or evening! Be sure to share this with someone and come back tomorrow for Day 260!

Day 226: Unpacking Romans 12- Recap!

This week we started a new series, 'Unpacking Romans Twelve'. We are not done with the series just yet, we will continue with it into next week. However we will still do our weekly recap. So, here it goes.

Day 219: Renew Your Mind 

We started the week off with Romans 12:2, speaking about renewing our mind and changing our mindset. We talked about how when we become Christians, the way we think and the way we view the world and everything in it also changes. We talked about being likeminded with Christ. Other scriptures we focused on today were, Isaiah 55:7-9 and Matthew 22:37.

"If our mind is not renewed our life cannot be renewed. If we are still moving and thinking the same way we did when we were in the world, how are we ever going to grow in Christ. A worldly mindset does not work in a Christian body."

Day 220: One Body, Different Functions

Today we focused on Romans 12:3-8. We talked about how we are all one in Christ, yet we are all different. We talked about how we use our differences to come together to elevate the body of Christ. We also touched on how we are all equal and we are not to look down on anyone.

"We are one in Christ and nothing should divide us. We are meant to function together as one body. Yes, we are different, but we are also one in the same."

Day 221: A True Christian

Today we focused on Romans 12:9-10, we talked about the makings of a True Christian. We talked about how we are too often caught up in being a "good christian" that the truth behind our christianity fades becomes it becomes more of an image to keep up, instead of a lifestyle. We talked about being genuine and not showing fake love to people in order for us to look good as a Christian.

" A lot of times, our motives have a lot to do with how we act and ultimately how we treat each other. We have to ask ourselves why we do things sometimes, what our motives are. Are we doing something for someone because we really love them or because it will make us look or feel good?"

Day 222: Going after God

Today we focused on Romans 12:11-12, we talked about chasing after God. One of the big themes we discussed today, is knowing the difference between wanting God and needing God. We talked about how we must want God more than anything else. We discussed really having a passion for God. Other scriptures we referred to was, Jeremiah 29:13.

"One of the things I’ve learned within my almost twenty-five years of living is, need gives up drive, want puts passion behind that drive."

Day 223: Hospitality

Today we focused on Romans 12:13, and you guessed it, we talked about hospitality. We talked about how as Christians we should make all people feel welcomed and loved. We talked about how also the church should be more hospitable when it comes to welcoming strangers, or sinners.

"We must learn to welcome people with open arms and make them feel like they are loved, like they are a part of this beautiful community God has created. We never know what people are going through and one hospitable act from us could literally change the course of someone’s life."

Day 224: Bless Those Who Curse You

Today we focused on Romans 12:14, and we talked about soft answers. We talked about praying for the people who prey on us. We also talked about how those very people need our love the most and how they are probably trying to cover up their own hurt. Another scripture we focused on today was Proverbs 15:1.

" So many times I think that when we are called to turn the other cheek, or bless those who curse us, it is just as much for them as it is for us. While our faith might be being tested someone is being healed. It’s much deeper than just getting the last laugh or proving that you are mature."

I love you and I hope you have, had, or are currently having an amazing and beautiful day. We will continue this series tomorrow, be sure to come back then for Day 227. I love you!