24 lines
4.3 KiB
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24 lines
4.3 KiB
HTML
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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<div class="head">Day By Day By Grace</div>
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<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">April 21</div></div>
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<h2>Growing in Knowing the Lord</h2>
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<div class="block"><i><b>Grow</b> in the <b>grace</b> and <b>knowledge</b> of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Pe',3,18);">2 Peter 3:18</a>)</div>
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<p>The new covenant of <b>grace</b> (at its very core) is a covenant of <b>relationship</b>. God's <b>grace</b> enables us to <b>grow</b> in <b>spiritual intimacy</b> with our Lord. <i>"<b>Grow</b> in the <b>grace</b> and <b>knowledge</b> of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."</i> Here, <b>grace</b> is linked with <b>growing</b> and with <b>knowing</b> the <b>Lord</b>. As surely as grace was for spiritual birthing, grace is also for growing. The most strategic area of spiritual growth is progress in a <b>deepening relationship</b> with the <b>Lord</b>. Paul prayed in this manner for the saints: <i>"that you may have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him…and <b>increasing in the knowledge of God</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Col',1,10);">Colossians 1:10</a>).</p>
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<p>This process of growth necessitates consistent intake of the word of God. <i>"As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the <b>word</b>, that you may <b>grow thereby</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Pe',2,2);">1 Peter 2:2</a>). It is through the Scriptures that we learn of the grace of God. The word of God is <i>"the <b>word</b> of His <b>grace</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Act',20,32);">Acts 20:32</a>). Also, the word of God has the Lord Jesus Christ as the constant, primary subject. <i>"And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in <b>all the Scriptures</b> the things <b>concerning Himself</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Luk',24,27);">Luke 24:27</a>). The pervasive presence of Christ throughout the Scriptures is a vital truth for growing in grace, since grace is found in the Lord Jesus. <i>"For you know the <b>grace</b> of our <b>Lord Jesus Christ</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Cr',8,9);">2 Corinthians 8:9</a>).</p>
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<p>God's will for our lives is that we might live in His word. This allows us to grow in His grace that we might know Him better. This truth is to delight our hearts and change our lives. <i>"Thus says the LORD: 'Let <b>not</b> the wise man glory in <b>his wisdom</b>, let <b>not</b> the mighty man glory in <b>his might</b>, <b>nor</b> let the rich man glory in <b>his riches</b>; but let him who glories <b>glory</b> in <b>this</b>, that he <b>understands and knows Me</b>, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,' says the LORD"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jer',9,23,24);">Jeremiah 9:23-24</a>). So many people (sometimes, even the people of God) chase after human wisdom, earthly power, or material riches. God desires that He becomes the delight of our hearts and the goal of our life: <i>"that he <b>understands and knows Me</b>."</i> So, let us respond with joy to Hosea's call. <i>"Let us <b>know</b>, let us <b>pursue</b> the <b>knowledge</b> of</i> [the <b>knowing</b> of] <i>the <b>LORD</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Hsa',6,3);">Hosea 6:3</a>).</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear Lord God, I want to press on to know You. I do not want to pursue after human wisdom, earthly power, or material riches. Nothing compares to knowing You. By Your grace, through the light of Your word, let me grow in knowing You, Amen.</div>
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