CAN I REALLY KNOW GOD
“He came to the very people he created— to those who should have recognized him, but they did not receive him.”
John 1:11 TPT
Someone else unaware of the presence of God.
Family drama – dishonest took inheritance – brother wanted to kill him
Stopped in journey. Sleep
Stairway from heaven to earth – message from heaven
All the families of the earth will be blessed thru his seed. (Jesus)
“What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go…… I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.” Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!” But he was also afraid and said, “What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God, the very gateway to heaven!” The next morning Jacob got up very early. He took the stone he had rested his head against, and he set it upright as a memorial pillar. Then he poured olive oil over it. He named that place Bethel (which means “house of God”), although it was previously called Luz.”
Genesis 28:15-19 NLT
לוז
The verb לוז (luz) means to turn aside of away. Noun לזות (lazut) means deviation or crookedness. Noun לוז (luz) describes almond wood.
There’s no archeological evidence that almond trees grew there.
Evidence that as a Canaanite city it was crooked and deviant.
Canaanites practiced Molech and Bael worship – which called for infant sacrifice in fire
The city continued to be known as Luz to the Canaanite inhabitants until the time of the Judges (Judg 1:23-26). Bible Gateway
You might miss Him if you don’t know Him
Looking for something else.
Knowing about Him is NOT the same as knowing Him
How can I know God?
I get to know Him through
- Jesus
“Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you?”
John 14:9 NLT
Where do you see Jesus?
2. The Word
the will and ways of God
““You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.”
John 5:39-40 NLT
3. The Body of Christ
Ephesians 1:17 I pray that the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would impart to you the riches of the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of revelation to know him through your deepening intimacy with him. (TPT)
4. Talking to HIM with an open heart
- Acknowledge and bring your cares, mistakes, doubts EVERYTHING to Him
- Acknowledge your beliefs
Not hiding anything from HIm
Strengthens your relationship with God
- Acknowledge and bring your cares, mistakes, doubts EVERYTHING to Him
- Acknowledge your beliefs
If you are in the dark about decisions.
Build on your beliefs
Start with GOD
Believe He IS
Believe He is with you. Now.
If you are born again, also believe He is IN you.
Hebrews 11:6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. (NLT)
Doubt hinders/stops God from being able to do what He would do to fulfill His own word.
Unbelief that kept the children of Israel out of the land God had promised them
In the light you see light. – Ps 36:9
Look for Him. Just because there’s a fire, a storm, its dark, doesn’t mean He’s not there.
Luz
Your life
The world
God is in this place.
Instead of asking him to come, start saying I know you are here.
Believe He is and Believe He loves you.
Prayer
Philippians 3:10a And I continually long to know the wonders of Jesus more fully… (TPT)
Additional Resources
https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Luz.html