Degrees of Knowing God

In this Book, "True Christianity", Pastor Paul Caram brings out that there are many degrees of knowing God:

1.) As a Servant - This degree is the lowest and is a casual and superficial relationship. God does not want us to stay servant because a servant only knows his master from a far and does not know where his master goes or what he does. God wants us to have a servants heart, but not to be a servant in your relationship with Him. He wants us to move on and know him more.

2.) As a Friend - This person has a closer relationship with God. He knows the mind and purpose of another. Abraham was closed "the Friend of God" and that is what our next step should be. God wants us to be His friend because He wants to share His mind and hidden secrets with you. Also, a friend is able to intercede for another.

3.) As a Bride - This is the closest relationship. The fullest and is more intimate than that of a close friend. As you progress on in your relationship and become a bride you are able to know the mind of God without Him speaking.

We are called to go beyond the mechanical relationship of being a servant. Friends are much closer to the Master and perceive clearly what He is saying and doing. As a bride, you are able to know the very heart of the Master. Our Lord cannot be satisfied with us if we do not continue to grow into spiritual maturity!

GOT STRENGTH?

This evening was day three for our class on "True Christianity" and one thing I wanted to bring out in this book that He taught us, was on strength. Especially sense I cannot live one day without the strength of God in me! I want to share this with you so that you can understand strength and the necessity of True Strength, which comes from God alone!

What exactly is strength? 

      - Wisdom,

      - humility,

Being able to handle failure is a sign of strength (not giving up even though it gets tough).

- It’s not being ruined by success 

        * don’t allow yourself to become over confident

- The ability to cope with reproach 

        * be not governed by those who reproach you

          - The ability to face the lose of something

          - The mark of TRUE STRENGTH is to not be easily turned to the right or the left

          - Having a right response to difficult and long delays

          - conquering fears 

                  * fear takes away faith and strength. 

                  * The wrong fear can paralyze us! 

                  * God wants us to overcome fear because it will keep us from entering into the fullness that He has for us and our inheritance.

          - Properly handling injustice/hurt 

                  * God is more interested in how we handle our self and attitude then anything else

          - Our dependence is on God 

                  * strength is not depending on our own strength

          - To be whole hearted

          - Fruits of the Spirit

I do hope that this makes sense and shows you your need for Gods continue strength each and every day! 

God Bless

~ Introduction ~

I finished the introduction to Pastor Paul Caram's book, "True Christianity". Wow...I don't know about the rest of you, but there was so much in there.
~ I never thought of people crying in heaven from regret. I always was thinking that everyone was Happy. It really made me think more about making sure that I hit the mark that God has for my life. Sometimes this can get overwhelming. I know that we have to remember that there are steps to get to that ultimate goal. As the Apostle Paul said," I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling." I want to win Jesus!!!! I want to fulfill all that He has purposed for my life and not miss anything.....I WANT TO WIN HIM! I don't my crown to be given to someone else because I missed the mark.
~ I was made to bring HIM pleasure....that is my purpose....I have a PURPOSE...it can be simple or hard. It depends on what I make it......

Introduction

The book "True Christianity", written by Dr. Paul G. Caram is part one of a four-part series for christian maturity.  It's a guide for christians to use to help to bring us to glory.  It emphasizes the TRUE priorities in life, focuses on what we can take with us when we leave this world, and looks beyond God's blessings to find His heart.

The Introduction to the book starts off with talking about our eternal heavenly inheritance, and what we could potentially have IF we just submit to the Holy Spirit working in our lives.  We go through tests and trials here on earth and they all are for the purpose of perfecting us and making us more like Jesus.  In the Bible the Israelites did not enter into their earthly inheritance because they did not allow the Holy Spirit to work in them, they had failed every test and trial.  The inheritance is given to the overcomers.

Entering into the Rest of God 

1. Reaching our destination - passing the test.  Once the trial is over and we have fully learned our lesson, there is a rest.  We will move forward and closer to God.

2. Experiencing the spiritual sabbath - stop doing things our OWN way. 

3. Marriage - under a protection and guidance of another.  God is our Protector! 

The Journey of the Children of Israel from Egypt to Zion has seven stages and they are likened to our own journey in life.  The journey of christianity:

1. Passover - salvation

2. Unleavened Bread - feeding on the pure Word of God

3. Read Sea - water baptism

4. Mount Sinai - being filled with Holy Spirit

5. Death of Moses - from wilderness to promised land

6. Over Jordan - cleansing, circumcision

7. At Zion - ultimate rest, full presence of God.

 

Knowing God

There were 2 questions Paul asked Christ when he met Him on the Damascus Road.  These 2 questions focus on the heart of christianity.

1. "Who are you Lord?" - We need a relationship with Him in order to Know Him.  There are different degrees of knowing someone.  Casual acquaintance, Friend, or an Intimate friend (like a spouse).

2. "What do you want me to do?" - There is a call and a purpose for everyone's life here on earth.  It is very important that we fullfill our course on earth that we were put here for.  Can you imagine the horrible feeling of standing before God and not having any real good excuse for not doing what he had asked you to do?!  We will be asked to give an account for our life before the throne of God.  We will have nothing to show for our lives. 

We were created for God, to fellowship with Him.  We have a lonliness inside us that can only be fulfilled by God, human love is not suficient enough to fill that void.

Our christianity is like a building being built brick by brick with every choice and decision that we make.  In order to have a good solid walk with God in our christianity, there MUST be a Good Foundation.  It starts early in our walk and must be done with care and careful preparation.  Everything we do must be thought out and prayed for, so that we do the right thing.  Otherwise down the road it will come back to bite us and will be much harder to fix than if it was just done right the first time.