The Glory of God

The Glory of God
the manifestation and revelation of His love

The Hebrew word for “glory” is Kabod; it basically means weight. In science it would be the mass of an object of matter. It is the substance of a person or thing. For God, it is who He is, His character and power. We know that God is love, (1stJohn 4:16); love is God’s character and power. God’s glory manifests and reveals His love.

Moses asked God to see His glory. This was God’s reply, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion” (Exodus 33:19).

God told Moses to stand on a rock that was near Him. This symbolizes Jesus the Christ, our rock. And the Lord said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. (Exodus 33:21 – 22) To stand upon the rock is symbolic of coming to Christ and putting your trust in Him, your weight upon Him. As God’s glory passed by He put Moses in the cleft of the rock, symbolizing to be in Christ. It is God the Father who positions you in Christ, adopting you as His child. This is the place where God’s glory is revealed and received, the place we receive manifestations and revelations of the Father’s love and power.

And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6). The word merciful is the Hebrew word rachum, it means to be full of compassion. This is the first word that God used to describe His glory. It reveals much about God’s glory and character. I believe it reveals the highest form of love, the kind of love

God is. Rachum is only used in reference to God. I believe that this compassion, which only comes from God, is the agape–love which is described in the New Testament. Because of the New Covenant, purchased by the blood of Jesus, we can now experience this holy love of God through the Holy Spirit, (Romans 5:1-5). This love from God is fruit from the tree of life, (Revelation 2:4-7).

The word gracious in Exodus 34:6 means to show favor, mercy, kindness, and forgiveness; longsuffering means to be patient; goodness means to show loving kindness; truth means to be faithful and trustworthy. All of these characteristics are seen as characteristics of love in 1st Corinthians 13. They are also seen in the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in (Galatians 5:22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. The word fruit in Galatians 5:22 is singular, there is only one fruit of the Spirit, which is love. All the other traits mentioned are characteristics of love. Likewise, in Exodus 34:6 the first thing that God reveals about His character is that He is rachum-“full of compassion”. All of the other characteristics of Exodus 34:6 are contained in this compassionate love of God.

In Exodus 34:7 God reveals that He is just, even justice is a characteristic of love, love must be fair. God is the great equalizer. Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth; The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 40:4 – 5)

When we look to Jesus the knowledge of the glory of God is revealed. For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2ndCorinthians 4:6) The signs, wonders, and miracles that Jesus did were manifestations of the glory of God, manifestations of His love and power. This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. (John 2:11)
The needs of people are an opportunity to reveal and manifest God’s glory, His compassion.
When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4) As Jesus moved with compassion the power and love of God was revealed. And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. (Matthew 14:14)

Jesus promised that He would continue the works He did on earth, and even greater works, through those who believe in Him. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:12 – 13) If we stay focused on Jesus’ commands and move with His compassion we will manifest and reveal the glory of God on the earth, and in greater ways, so that God will be glorified. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:7–8)

As ministers of the New Covenant we are to reveal God’s glory, His compassionate and powerful love to a world in need. “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. (Isaiah 58:6-8)

And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isaiah 6:3) The whole earth is filled with the glory of the Lord now, but most people do not know it yet. However, the time is coming when the knowledge of the glory of God will cover the earth. For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea. (Habakkuk 2:14)
Most of the known universe is made up of unknown substances that scientists call “dark matter” and “dark energy”. They call it dark because they can not see it or detect it with any scientific instruments but they know it is there, and it has mass, because they can see the affects of it. It is interesting that this invisible substance in the universe makes up most of the mass (weight) in the universe. It holds celestial bodies of the universe in place and it also causes the motion of stars, planets, and galaxies.

Jesus is called the brightness of God’s glory. Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Hebrews 1:3) The word upholding means to carry or move, it is Jesus that holds together and moves all things in the universe. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:17) The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. (Psalms 19:1)

The unknown substance that holds the universe together is the brightness of God’s glory. Man’s natural tendency is to label the unknown and the supernatural as “dark”. When Jesus walked the earth many people thought that His power to heal people, and the signs and wonders He did, were accomplished by Satan’s power. It is still true today, as God’s glory is being revealed in the earth through His servants, many people are fearful of it. People are being healed, set free, and demons are being cast out; signs and wonders of God’s love are happening. However, many are quick to judge that these miracles are the power of evil, not manifestations of God’s love.

It is true that we are in a time of increasing darkness on the earth. However, at the same time there is an increase in God’s glory being revealed through His servants. Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. (Isaiah 60:1–2)
Because of increasing darkness and increasing revelations of God’s glory it is critical to have spiritual discernment to avoid deception. If we remain in Jesus and keep the eyes of our heart focused on Him the Holy Spirit will give us the discernment we need. It is important not to judge manifestations of God’s love as being from Satan. Such deception is rooted in unholy fear, which is actually faith in the power of evil. Faith in God means to trust Him.

When supernatural manifestations of God’s presence happen there are two types of fear that a person can have, depending upon what is in the heart of the person. Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was. (Exodus 20:18 – 21)

Unholy fear causes you to distance yourself from God, holy fear causes you to purify yourself and come near to God. Those who know God, through experiencing His love, will press in past their fear into the glory of God’s presence. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. (1stJohn 4:18)

God’s love is a consuming fire. The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel. (Exodus 24:17) There is something else that happens when we behold God’s glory; transformation. Transformation can be both painful and wonderful. There are things in us that are consumed as we behold God’s glory. The things that remain are refined and purified. People will sometimes turn away from the glory of God because they are afraid to let go of things that can not survive the glory. People are also sometimes afraid of letting go of their identity and becoming a new creation. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. (2ndCorinthians 4:16)

To be transformed by God’s glory is sacrifice.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies (compassion) of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1–2) The word transformed is the Greek word metamorphoō it is where we get the word metamorphosis from. This is the word we use to describe a caterpillar being changed into a butterfly. It means to be changed into something new. It is the same word which is used to describe what happened to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration in Mark chapter 9.

When we are focused on Jesus the veil of our heart is removed so that we can behold the transforming glory of God. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy (compassion), we do not lose heart. (2nd Corinthians 3:16-4:1) We are transformed from glory to glory, from one manifestation and revelation of God’s love to the next.

Notice that we behold the glory of God through a mirror. That is because the glory we see is what is reflected from our own heart. That is why man can look into the heavens, which declare the glory of God, and only see “dark matter and dark energy” controlling the universe. The moon is like a mirror. One night I stepped out of my house and looked at the horizon the moon was very large and I could see the whole outline but only a tiny slice of the moon was reflecting the glory of the sun’s light. The Lord instantly spoke to my heart and said that is how much of my glory you reflect. I understood that I had only tasted a tiny amount of God’s glory but there was so much more He wanted to reveal to me.

The moon reflects the light of the sun; however, when the earth is blocking the suns light from shinning on the moon there is a shadow instead of light. The things of the physical world can block our perspective of God’s glory. Only when we focus on Jesus can we look at the glory with an unveiled face. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2nd Corinthians 4:6)

We are called God’s vessels of compassion who were created to receive revelation of His glory. That He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy (compassion), which He had prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles (Romans 9:23–24)

Jesus has given us the same glory, the same love, which the Father gave Him. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:22-24) The glory of God and the Father’s love is now within us because of the New Covenant.

This glory unifies Christ body of believers and sanctifies us to be God’s holy habitation.
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14–19)

In the passage above we can see that it is according to the wealth of God’s glory that we are strengthened with power through the Holy Spirit, receive Christ living in our heart by faith, and we become joined to the source of true love. We then go on to attain what all the saints have attained, that is knowing God through experiencing His love, so that we may be may be filled with all the fullness of God.

The glory of God is the manifestation and revelation of His love, in so many ways.

http://www.seekgod.org/message/gloryofgod.html

The Presence of God

We know that God is omnipresent, which means God is everywhere. David said in (Psalms 139:7-8 NKJV) Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? {8} If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. God is with us, His presence is very near us and as Christians He is in us. (Acts 17:27-28 NKJV) {27} "so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; {28} "for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' (Colossians 1:17 NKJV) And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. (Proverbs 15:3 NKJV) The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

Since God is present everywhere, when we talk about the presence of God we are really talking about the realization of God's presence, the perceiving of His presence, becoming conscious of His presence. (Genesis 28:16 NKJV) Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it." God reveals Himself to those that seek Him earnestly. (Deuteronomy 4:29 NKJV) "But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. As always God desires that we seek to come near Him and when we do then He reveals Himself to us. (James 4:8 NKJV) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

It seems that when we are at our low points in life and it feels that God is a million miles away then we turn our focus on Him and immediately we are filled with the presence of His peace and comfort. (Psalms 34:18 NKJV) The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. I believe that God is always quick to respond at our lowest point for two reasons first because He is the God of compassion and gets pleasure from His compassion flowing to us, rescuing us from despair. The second reason is because when we are at our lowest point we seek God with our whole heart and soul, He becomes our only focus, our only hope. (Psalms 46:1 NKJV) God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

We enter into God's presence by preparing our heart. As we come close to the Lord immediately the Holy Spirit reveals any unforgiven sin to us. Then we confess our sin to the Lord and accept His loving mercy and forgiveness. (Acts 3:19 NKJV) "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. The word refreshing means recovery of breath or revival, true revival begins with repentance, and then we become renewed and restored by the Holy Spirit, the breath of life. (Psalms 51:10-12 NKJV) Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. {11} Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. {12} Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

There is a wonderful joy in salvation that comes from our inner most being where God dwells in our heart. (Psalms 16:11 NKJV) You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. His refreshing brings love, peace, and joy that could only come from God even when we are surrounded by trouble on the outside we can enter into His presence and have rest and security. (Exodus 33:14 NKJV) And He said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

(Psalms 31:19-20 NKJV) Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! {20} You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues. The secret place of the Most High is the presence of God. (Psalms 91:1-2 NKJV) He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shade of the Almighty. {2} I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust."

After our sins are forgiven we can come closer into God's presence by thanksgiving, praise, and worship. (Psalms 100:2-5 NKJV) Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. {3} Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. {4} Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. {5} For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

Salvation through Jesus Christ gives us the right to enter into God's presence. Confession and repentance of our sins prepares us to enter into His presence. Thanksgiving unto God takes us in the gate and by praise we enter into His court. But it is love that unites us with Him. (1 John 4:16 NKJV) …God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. When we dwell in love we dwell in God and Him in us.

Walking With God - Divine Fellowship

(Genesis 5:22-24) And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. {23} Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. {24} Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

(Genesis 6:8-9) But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. {9} This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.

(Exodus 33:11-17) The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. {12} Moses said to the LORD, "You have been telling me, 'Lead these people,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, 'I know you by name and you have found favor with me.' {13} If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people." {14} The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." {15} Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. {16} How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" {17} And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."

(Leviticus 26:12) I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.

(Deuteronomy 20:1-4) When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. {2} When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. {3} He shall say: "Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. {4} For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."

(Psalms 16:7-11) I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. {8} I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. {9} Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, {10} because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. {11} You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

(Psalms 34:17-18) The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. {18} The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

(Psalms 89:14-17) Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. {15} Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD. {16} They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness. {17} For you are their glory and strength, and by your favor you exalt our horn.

(Psalms 91:1-4) He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. {2} I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." {3} Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. {4} He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

(Psalms 119:151) Yet you are near, O LORD, and all your commands are true.

(Psalms 145:14-20) The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. {15} The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. {16} You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. {17} The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. {18} The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. {19} He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. {20} The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

(Proverbs 2:6-8) For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. {7} He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, {8} for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

(Isaiah 43:2) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

(Jeremiah 7:23) but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you.

(Amos 3:3) Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?

(Amos 5:14) Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.

(Matthew 18:20) For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

(Matthew 28:18-20) Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. {19} Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

(John 14:21) Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

(John 14:23) Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

(John 15:4-15) Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. {5} "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. {6} If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. {7} If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. {8} This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. {9} "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. {10} If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. {11} I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. {12} My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. {13} Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. {14} You are my friends if you do what I command. {15} I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

(John 17:20-23) "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, {21} that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. {22} I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: {23} I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

(Acts 17:26-28) From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. {27} God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. {28} 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'

(1 Corinthians 1:7-9) Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. {8} He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. {9} God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

(2 Corinthians 6:16) What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."

(Galatians 5:25) Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

(Hebrews 10:19-22) Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, {20} by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, {21} and since we have a great priest over the house of God, {22} let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

(James 2:22-24) You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. {23} And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. {24} You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

(James 4:6-10) But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." {7} Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. {8} Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. {9} Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. {10} Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

(1 John 1:3-7) We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. {4} We write this to make our joy complete. {5} This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. {6} If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. {7} But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

(1 John 2:5-6) But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: {6} Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

(1 John 2:24-29) See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. {25} And this is what he promised us--even eternal life. {26} I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. {27} As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit--just as it has taught you, remain in him. {28} And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. {29} If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

(1 John 3:1-3) How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. {2} Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. {3} Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

(1 John 3:24) Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

(Revelation 3:19-21) Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. {20} Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. {21} To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.

GOD KNOWS YOU AND HE HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE

Exodus 33:17 NKJV) So the LORD said to Moses, "I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name."

(2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV) "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars."

(Psalms 34:14-15 NKJV) Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. {15} The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.

(Psalms 100:3 NKJV) Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

(Psalms 139:14-18 NKJV) I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. {15} My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. {16} Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. {17} How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! {18} If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.

(Psalms 145:8-10 NKJV) The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy. {9} The LORD is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works. {10} All Your works shall praise You, O LORD, And Your saints shall bless You.

(Proverbs 5:21 NKJV) For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He ponders all his paths.

(Proverbs 15:3 NKJV) The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

(Isaiah 43:1-3 NKJV) But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. {2} When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. {3} For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place.

(Jeremiah 1:5 NKJV) "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."

(Jeremiah 29:11-13 NKJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. {12} Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. {13} And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

(John 10:3 NKJV) "To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

(Colossians 1:16 NKJV) For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

(1 Peter 3:12 NKJV) For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil."

(Revelation 3:5 NKJV) "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

(Revelation 4:11 NKJV) "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."

Meeting God Changes Your Life

Reading God’s Word: Colossians 1:7–14

7Epaphras, our much loved co-worker, was the one who brought you the Good

News. He is Christ’s faithful servant, and he is helping us in your place. 8He is the

one who told us about the great love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.

9So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you.

We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what he wants to do in your

lives, and we ask him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. 10Then the way

you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good,

kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better.

11We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that

you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with

joy, 12always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance

that belongs to God’s holy people, who live in the light. 13For he has rescued us

from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into

the Kingdom of his dear Son. 14God has purchased our freedom with his blood

and has forgiven all our sins.

From Now to Eternity

Meeting God changes your life. Trusting God makes a lot of things possible that

were impossible before you met Him—like having your sins forgiven and

receiving the gift of eternal life. You may not “feel” what God is doing much of the

time, but you can be sure that He is working. Maybe you've heard people talk

about how Jesus changed their lives. He wants to bring about these same types

of changes in your life.

In the verses you just read, the apostle Paul asked God on behalf of the

Colossians for at least nine results. We are praying for the same in your life:

1. That you will understand what God wants to do in your life (v. 9).

2. That you will have wisdom that comes from God (v. 9).

3. That your life will be pleasing and honoring to God (v. 10).

4. That you will find more and more ways to do good for others (v. 10).

5. That you will know God better (v. 10).

6. That you will experience God’s power in your life (v. 11).

7. That you will receive the patience and endurance God wants to give you

(v. 11).

8. That you will be filled with joy (v. 11).

9. That you will be more and more thankful as you better understand what

God has done for you (v. 12).

Meeting God Changes Your Life  

Does this seem a little overwhelming to you? That’s OK. Right now you’re just

getting a glimpse of what God wants to do in your life, but getting to that place

will take some time. Look at that list again. Is there anything there you wouldn’t

want to be true of your life? Of course not! Realize that God made all these

things available to you as you grow spiritually. Note the thought expressed in

verse 13. If you've invited Christ into your life you have been declared a citizen

in Christ’s kingdom. You were held hostage in the kingdom of darkness, but

now you are free in Christ.

Your time from now to eternity will involve learning what it means to be a citizen

in Christ’s kingdom. Now there’s a life worth living!

Think about these questions as you read Colossians 1:7–14:

What changes do you want God to make in your life?

How does it make you feel to know, once you’ve accepted Christ, that

you’re a citizen of heaven?

Apply It

Are there parts of your life that are particularly challenging right now? God wants

you to have faith and know that He is in control of your life, but that can be

overwhelming and difficult to understand when you’re just starting to know what

faith is. If you already have a Christian friend, ask them to pray for you and help

you understand what God is doing in your life. If you don’t know another

Christian, try to find a new Christian friend. And above all else, keep asking God

to give you the faith you need to trust Him.

Express It

Reading and thinking about God’s Word is all about letting God speak to you.

Praying is all about you talking to God. It’s not a ritual or just repeating something

you’ve memorized. Prayer is talking to God from the heart. If this is a new habit

for you, stop for a moment and ask yourself, “What would I want to say to Jesus

Christ if He walked up and sat by me right now?” Go ahead and tell Him those

things, and ask Him those questions. That’s basic prayer.

http://www.backtothebible.org/index.php/Meeting-God-Changes-Your-Life.html

Bible verses that illustrate God's love for you.

 

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies (Psalm 36:5).
How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings (Psalm 36:7).
Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love (Psalm 48:9).
But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever (Psalm 52:8).
But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Psalm 86:15).
Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever (Psalm 136:26).
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness" (Jeremiah 31:3).
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17).
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends John 15:13).
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love (John 15:9).
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35-39).
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved (Ephesians 2:4-5).
Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:2).
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:4-5).
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:9-10).

God Forgives

(2 Chronicles 7:13-14 NKJV) "When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, {14} "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

(Psalms 25:16-18 NKJV) Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me, For I am desolate and afflicted. {17} The troubles of my heart have enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses! {18} Look on my affliction and my pain, And forgive all my sins.

(Psalms 31:24 NKJV) Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.

(Psalms 32:1-2 NKJV) Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. {2} Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.

(Psalms 85:2 NKJV) You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people; You have covered all their sin. Selah

(Psalms 86:5-7 NKJV) For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. {6} Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; And attend to the voice of my supplications. {7} In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me.

(Psalms 103:2-4 NKJV) Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: {3} Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, {4} Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

(Psalms 103:10-13 NKJV) He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. {11} For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; {12} As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. {13} As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him.

(Psalms 130:3-5 NKJV) If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? {4} But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. {5} I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope.

(Isaiah 1:18 NKJV) "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

(Isaiah 55:6-7 NKJV) Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. {7} Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

(Daniel 9:9 NKJV) "To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him.

(Matthew 6:12 NKJV) And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.

(Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV) "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. {15} "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

(Matthew 18:21-22 NKJV) Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" {22} Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

(Luke 7:47-48 NKJV) "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." {48} Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

(Luke 23:34 NKJV) Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots.

(John 3:16-17 NKJV) "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. {17} "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

(Acts 5:30-31 NKJV) "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. {31} "Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

(Ephesians 1:7 NKJV) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

(Ephesians 4:32 NKJV) And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.

(Ephesians 5:1-2 NKJV) Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. {2} And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

(Colossians 1:13-14 NKJV) He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, {14} in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

(1 John 1:9-10 NKJV) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. {10} If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.