DIVINE: Growing and Knowing God (Week 14)

 Hello, everyone! (No, in case you're wondering, I haven't sent anything out for the last few weeks. )

We're getting ready to conclude this first part of our DIVINE: Transformed by Knowing God series. My hope is to pick up the study again in the fall with more lessons that will continue to help us know God more deeply. Like I shared in the first study, there will never be an end to our journey of knowing God. We will never know everything or experience every aspect of God. There will always be more to know and there will always be more ways for us to grow. In this last email, I'm taking some time to reflect on this journey so far of growing in the knowledge of God.

Reflection on Knowing God - Why this study?

1. We want to grow. 2 Peter 3:18 (NLT) says, "Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen." Sometimes we grow quickly, but most of the time lasting growth is slow. Do you feel like you're growing slowly or quickly these days? Do you feel encouraged or discouraged by how you're growing?  

2. We will grow to be more like Jesus as we know Him more, not just as we try harder. Colossians 3:10 (NLT) "Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him." Are you trying to be more like Christ or more like other people you admire or the "perfect you" that lives in your imagination?

3. We experience God's grace, peace, power, and provision as we KNOW HIM. 2 Peter 1:2-3 (CSB) "May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." Why do you think knowing God is supposed to make such a big difference in our lives?

4. We know God more as we depend on Him. Proverbs 3:5-6 (CSB) "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight." Our job is to TRUST and seek to KNOW GOD, God's job is to straighten out our paths. Where do you have the hardest time trusting the Lord instead of relying on your own thoughts and ability to figure things out?

Knowing God will help us experience God's Presence, Pleasure, Promises, Plan, Perspective, Provision, Purpose, Peace, Protection, Power, Perfection, and Purity.  And Patience.

Lord, God Almighty, please help us know You more. Help us know your presence, peace, and provision as our faithful, loving Shepherd. Let us know your pleasure as our Creator who made us with a plan and a purpose that we would know You and help others know You. God, our Deliverer, as we wait for you to answer our prayers, help us cling to your promises as we trust in your power, your protection and your perspective. Creator God, transform us more and more into the image of your purity and perfection as we KNOW YOU and YOUR LOVE and GOODNESS. And give us patience as we wait for the growth to come. In Jesus' name, amen.

SISTER CIRCLES THIS MONTH:

Want to join a group of sisters to talk about what we're learning and grow together? Join us...

TOMORROW Sunday 6/13, 9:30am at church

Wednesday 6/23, 10:00am at church

We'll be taking a break from the weekly studies for the summer. Stay tuned for further announcements about gatherings and other ways to connect with each other!

In His Love,

Melissa

If you've missed any posts from the DIVINE: Transformed by Knowing God series, you can find them all here.