Embracing God's Intimate Knowledge and Transformative Love

Devotional

Day 1: God's Intimate Knowledge of Us

God's intimate knowledge of us is a profound truth that can be both comforting and challenging. Psalm 139 reveals a God who knows us better than we know ourselves, perceiving our thoughts and actions before they occur. This divine knowledge calls us to live authentically before Him, trusting in His perfect understanding of our lives. It is a reminder that we are fully seen and known by God, who loves us unconditionally. This knowledge should inspire us to live transparently, allowing God to transform us and guide us toward His purposes. [46:35]

"O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways." (Psalm 139:1-3, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to be authentic before God, and how can you invite Him into those areas today?

Day 2: Discovering Miracles in Crisis

In moments of crisis, God often reveals the potential within us that we might not see. Stories like Angela Cavalo's miraculous strength and Darren Harrison's calm in crisis remind us that God equips us with strength and calmness, demonstrating His power and presence in our lives. These moments of divine intervention show us that God sees potential in us that we might not recognize ourselves. By trusting in His presence, we can face challenges with courage and faith, knowing that He is with us every step of the way. [44:49]

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent crisis you faced. How did you see God's presence and strength in that situation, and how can you rely on Him more in future challenges?

Day 3: Embracing God's Transformative Vision

God sees us as we are and as we were created to be, offering a vision of transformation that leads us from shame to Shalom. This journey involves embracing God's plan for our lives, which is too lofty for us to fully comprehend but is rooted in His love and grace. By trusting in His transformative vision, we can move from a place of shame to a state of peace and wholeness, allowing His love to guide us toward His purposes. [50:32]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel shame? How can you invite God's transformative vision to bring you to a place of peace and wholeness?

Day 4: Encountering God in Our Circumstances

The stories of Hagar and Nathaniel illustrate how God meets us in our circumstances, offering guidance and hope. Hagar's naming of God as "El Roi" and Nathaniel's recognition of Jesus highlight the transformative power of being seen and known by God. These encounters remind us that God is aware of our past, present, and future, and He has a plan for our lives that leads us from shame to Shalom. By recognizing His presence in our lives, we can find hope and guidance in our struggles and triumphs. [01:02:47]

"The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth." (Psalm 34:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt seen by God in your circumstances. How did that experience shape your understanding of His presence in your life?

Day 5: Living in the Light of God's Presence

As we live in the light of God's presence, we are called to reflect His glory and share His love with others. This involves embracing our identity as God's children, allowing His knowledge of us to inspire and guide us toward His purposes. By living transparently and authentically, we become reflections of His glory, sharing His love with those around us and living in the light of His presence. [01:09:32]

"For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness." (1 Thessalonians 5:5, ESV)

Reflection: How can you reflect God's glory and share His love with someone in your life today? What practical steps can you take to live more fully in the light of His presence?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound truth of being known by God, as illustrated in Psalm 139. This passage reveals a God who knows us intimately, perceiving our thoughts and actions even before they occur. This divine knowledge is both comforting and challenging, as it calls us to live authentically before God, who sees us as we are and as we were created to be. We delved into stories of individuals who experienced God's intimate knowledge and transformative power, such as Angela Cavalo's miraculous strength and Darren Harrison's calm in crisis, illustrating how God sees potential in us that we might not see in ourselves.

We also examined biblical narratives, including Hagar's encounter with God in the desert and Nathaniel's recognition of Jesus as the Son of God. These stories remind us that God sees us in our struggles and triumphs, offering guidance and hope. Hagar, who named God "El Roi," the God who sees, teaches us that God is aware of our past, present, and future, and He has a plan for our lives that leads us from shame to Shalom, a state of peace and wholeness.

As we reflect on these truths, we are encouraged to embrace the God who knows us completely and loves us unconditionally. This knowledge should inspire us to live transparently, allowing God to transform us and guide us toward His purposes. In doing so, we become reflections of His glory, living in the light of His presence and sharing His love with others.

Key Takeaways

1. God's Intimate Knowledge: God knows us better than we know ourselves, perceiving our thoughts and actions before they occur. This intimate knowledge is both comforting and challenging, as it calls us to live authentically before Him, trusting in His perfect understanding of our lives. [46:35]
2. Miracles in Crisis: In moments of crisis, God often reveals the potential within us that we might not see. Stories like Angela Cavalo's and Darren Harrison's remind us that God equips us with strength and calmness, demonstrating His power and presence in our lives. [44:49]
3. God's Transformative Vision: God sees us as we are and as we were created to be, offering a vision of transformation that leads us from shame to Shalom. This journey involves embracing God's plan for our lives, which is too lofty for us to fully comprehend but is rooted in His love and grace. [50:32]
4. Biblical Encounters with God: The stories of Hagar and Nathaniel illustrate how God meets us in our circumstances, offering guidance and hope. Hagar's naming of God as "El Roi" and Nathaniel's recognition of Jesus highlight the transformative power of being seen and known by God. [62:47]
5. Living in God's Sight: As we live in the light of God's presence, we are called to reflect His glory and share His love with others. This involves embracing our identity as God's children, allowing His knowledge of us to inspire and guide us toward His purposes. [01:09:32]
** [69:32]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[40:31] - Introduction and Personal Stories
[41:25] - Angela Cavalo's Miracle
[42:55] - Darren Harrison's Calm in Crisis
[45:23] - Uncommon Reactions
[45:39] - Psalm 139 Reading
[47:02] - God's Intimate Knowledge
[49:07] - Hiding from God
[50:09] - God's Call to Restoration
[51:20] - God's Vision for Us
[53:02] - Reflecting on Psalm 139
[55:11] - God's Knowledge and Our Free Will
[57:19] - Transformation in God's Presence
[58:21] - Biblical Characters and God's Knowledge
[59:16] - Hagar's Encounter with God
[64:09] - Nathaniel's Recognition of Jesus
[67:25] - Living in God's Sight
[69:32] - Conclusion and Prayer

Sermon Clips

Well if you're Angela cavalo you summon the strength of 10 men and you lift that car 4 in off the ground which is enough to lift your son to safety some people call that hysterical strength it actually has a clinical name but I just call it a miracle thanks to Sarah catell for sharing that story. [00:42:20]

Harrison took control of the aircraft calmly informed air traffic control and despite the immense pressure of that very moment Harrison followed all of the air controllers' directions and successfully landed plane at Palm Beach International Airport saving the lives of every person on board and this demonstrated not only Harrison's remarkable ability to stay calm in a crisis. [00:43:28]

Oh Lord you have searched me and you know me you know when I sit and when I Rise you perceive my thoughts from afar you discern my going out and my lying down and you are are familiar with all my ways before a word is on my tongue you know it completely oh Lord. [00:46:04]

How does it feel to be known by a God who knows you better better than you know yourself a God who knows how many cookies you ate how many hairs are on your head or not a God who knows not only that your brother pulled your hair but what you did to provoke your brother. [00:47:51]

Now if there's anything in life that is useless and wasted it's the time we spend trying to hide from God who is all Knowing When God called out to Adam in the garden where are you it was not because God did not know Adam's location it was because God wanted Adam to choose to come out and meet him. [00:49:07]

God is still calling us out calling us out of hiding from him from hiding from others from hiding from ourselves God is still calling us to Restoration a calling that in the word words of the psalmist is too lofty for us to attain that same God who sees us in our shame also sees us or sees in us the courage of a rescuer. [00:50:09]

God who knows all sees us as we are and sees us as we were created to be all at the same time and this God of Psalm 139 is the same God who wants us to know that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us and that truth is too lofty for us to fully take in but it is God's truth. [00:51:20]

It's comforting to know that God sees the big picture he sees the big picture of world affairs and the plight of Nations and the workings of the universe but it's challenging alling to know that that same God also knows your thoughts before you think them and your steps before you take them. [00:55:56]

It's here in this place of the full acceptance of a Divine God that he uses his word to challenge us in a way that won't raise our hackles or stir up our resistance it's here in this presence of an all- knowing god that we can put aside our masks and our coverups to be safe to face the truth about ourselves. [00:57:19]

Hagar displaced and disrespected did something that no other person in the Old Testament ever does she gives God a name the name she gives him is Elroy the God who sees and this sets Hagar apart from any other encounter with God only Hagar gives God a name in all the other encounters with God. [01:00:56]

Nathaniel recognized El Roy the God who sees and Nathaniel responds to Jesus and says you are the Son of God you are the king of Israel so we have Hagar and David and Nathaniel hundreds of years apart but the same is true God sees God sees them intimately and personally and with transformative consequences in their lives. [01:04:09]

We serve the God who sees all things and who loves you enough to have sent his son to transform you and renew your mind and to teach you his ways God knows all your ways already and he knows what you need God knows your past and God knows your present and God knows what he has prepared for your future. [01:07:25]

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