Knowledge and Trust, September 28, 2007 Attendance - 12

KNOWLEDGE AND TRUST

DO WE REALLY TRUST GOD?

Habakkuk tells of how he traveled the road from WHY to WONDER then finally to WORSHIP.
As GOD began speaking to Habakkuk, the change in the prophet was dramatic. He began to see with new eyes. Habakkuk 3:17-19
Habakkuk recognizes that times may be good or bad, and circumstances may change but none of these has anything to do with our praise and worship. Our adoration remains constant because GOD is constant.

The Secret of Inner Strength

The story of the trees in the forest: Some are uprooted during the storm and some trees draw on a deep strength from the very foundation and they continue to stand firm. Their roots only dig deeper, their bark only grows thicker.

What is the difference that other people keep praising GOD even when life becomes harsh and cruel? What is the secret?

Consider Habakkuk who passed from tragedy to triumph, from worry to worship, from preoccupation to praise.

WE WORSHIP WHOM WE TRUST, AND WE TRUST WHOM WE KNOW

Worship is only validated through constancy. We worship and praise GOD even when we are in the valley, when we are in the worst circumstances.
We reach this level of faith when we worship whom we trust and we trust whom we worship.
We can build trust by spending time with GOD. When we spend time with GOD we come to fully know HIM. When we fully know him, the trust gets stronger and stronger. This is the time that you are able to worship GOD in spirit and in truth.

It’s Not What You Know, But Whom You Know

We intensely focus on gaining knowledge about GOD that we miss the knowledge of GOD.

It’s the difference between reading about the vitamins and the taste of beef, than biting into a thick sirloin steak hot off the grill. It’s the difference between knowing facts about GOD and experiencing HIS powerful presence.
To trust GOD, we must know HIM. But to come to know GOD, we must first trust HIM, at least a little bit. Right?
To experience the fullness of worship, we must trust the ONE we worship. And to trust HIM, we must know him.

-Have you felt as if you knew all the facts about GOD but your prayers never passed the ceiling? -Have you ever realized that your quiet time/morning devotion has become a dry bible study rather than a warm visit to your heavenly father.

We need truth and theology. The right information is essential. But above all else, we need relationship.

Reading between the lines

The story of a young lady who loved to read.
-A friend gave her a book, a must read book.
-Initially she found it the worst boring book she read in her life time.
-She attended a party and fell in love with the host
-She later found out that the book was about making a conversation at the party
-The author of the book was the host
- She read the book again and this time, she found it to be the greatest book she has ever read.

It makes a great deal of difference to know someone rather than simply to know his words.

Why would you care reading Habakkuk, Corinthians, the four gospels, the letters of Paul?
You read them because you’ve fallen in love with the ONE responsible for those writings, and it makes all the difference, HIS loving inscription is in our hearts.

Get the Picture

The story of Count Von Zinzendorf, the greatest missionary who ever lived:
- One day he visited a museum of fine art.
- He remained in one spot for 5 hours looking at one artpiece.
- The curator of the museum got concerned and wanted to find out why the man has been staring on one particular piece of art.
- The curator found out that it was a painting of The Holy lamb of God. But what surprised him was that tears were rolling down the man’s cheeks.
- Underneath the painting was this inscription : IF HE CARED THAT MUCH FOR YOU, WHAT SHOULD YOUR CONCERN BE FOR HIM?

He was contemplating on that question for 5 hours. He was lost in the greatness and the love of Christ, who had given His all for him. He was worshipping deeply, profoundly and emotionally.

Count VON was moved because the subject of the canvas/art was already the dearest to him, his Lord, his Master, his great love and his closest friend.

The count knew how to connect with GOD and to praise Him wherever he might be.

Your worship hat must always be worn on your head. A beautiful sky, a friend's smile or a completed task could be all the reason you would need to take a moment in your day for the WONDER OF WORSHIP.

This might be a struggle right now. But trust HIM and you will Know that he is GOD who will not forsake you. Psalm 9:10

- Elmer, September 28, 2007 Attendance -12