Lesson 401: "Getting to Know Him"
The Apostle Paul wrote one of the longest sentences in the Bible; "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things, I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith". And then he adds; "I want to know Christ and the power of His Resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead" (Phil. 3:8-11).
If you spent only five minutes with a stranger would you know much about him? Doesn't it make sense that this same scenario would work with getting to know God? Not your sleepy, hurried, exhausted or frantic time but your very best, off the top time. "Do not be lazy but work hard, serving the Lord with all your heart" (Rom. 12:11). Love the Lord your god with all our heart, all your soul and your entire mind" (Matt. 23:37). Sit at His feet and listen to Him teach like Mary did (Luke 10:39). Hunger for the Word of God (Matt. 4:4) and after you pray, WAIT! "Lord, every morning you hear my voice. Every morning I tell you what I need and I WAIT for your answer" (Ps. 5:3).
Job prayed that God teach him while he was quiet and ready to accept where he was wrong (Job 6:24). James said the truly happy people are those who carefully study God's perfect law that makes people free and they CONTINUE to study (James 1:25). I don't think James meant five minutes but added that we must come near to God (James 4:8). You will discern what God wants for you only if you come out of the world long enough to spend time with Him (Rom. 12:2). Pray for guidance (Ps. 143:8), adoration (1 Chro. 29:11), confession (1 John 1:9), thanksgiving (Eph. 5:20) and supplication (Matt. 7:7).
Find a place and a time to be with God daily just like Jesus did (Luke 5:16).