I introduced our new series last Sunday, August 17th, The Bible & Jesus Revival. Someone mentioned to me that they grew up in a religious, God-minded home. He said this past week’s message touched him, because he grew up with great information about the Bible but lacked a personal, intimate relationship with the Author, the Holy Spirit.
I remember receiving an autographed copy of a George Foreman book. My friend had George write my name ”To Rod…” It was such a special gift—straight from George Foreman himself, the former heavyweight boxing champion and creator of the George Foreman Grill 🙂. But imagine if I had actually met George Foreman in person—to hear his voice, shake his hand, and watch him write my name in his book! That would’ve been WOWZAH AWESOME!
That picture reminds me of something far greater. My deepest heart’s desire is for all of us to grow mānoa in our personal, intimate love relationship with our Godhead: our Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit—through His Word. Many of you reading this have already experienced God personally and intimately, so you know what it means when His Word comes alive and breathes life into your soul.
One of my prayers for us as God’s family is found in 2 Peter 1:2:
“May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.”
We are all called to grow in knowing God. That growth doesn’t happen by accident—it takes time, study, meditation, and prayer. That’s why I want to encourage you in using the ABC’s of good Bible observation. These are simple but powerful tools that I believe are crucial for deepening our knowledge of God.
And then, in verses 3–4, Peter writes an astounding, life-transforming truth about what happens as we grow in this knowledge of God:
“By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”
As we grow in our relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we also grow in our obedience to Him. And here is the promise: God has already given us everything we need—yes, everything!—to live a Godly life! To live this Godly life, God desires us to learn and grow in knowledge and intimate, mānoa love with Him! So incorporate the ABC’s in your devotional time with God and His living Word!
