Benefits

Benefits of Knowing God

Daniel 11:32

"And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits."

When you say you know someone, you are inferring that you have developed a relationship with them. It is more than just a casual acquaintance that we are talking about, but we are talking about knowing someone because you have spent time with them. By knowing them, you are familiar with their likes and dislikes, you are familiar with their character, you understand and comprehend what they are saying and doing because you have spent personal time with them.

I would say that I know my wife and daughter. I know them because I spend time with them. Other than God, I would think that I understand them the best because I live with them. So, when I say I know my wife and daughter, I am saying I have developed such a relationship with them that I understand their likes and dislikes, their character, and understand what they are about.

In the verse above God says, "...but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits." Knowing God will only be accomplished by spending time with Him. If someone were to ask me what I feel is one of the greatest things that we lack in Christianity it is that people don't really know God. If they knew God, they would know what He likes and dislikes. If they knew God, they would be familiar with His character in that He is One Who will always be there for them to do what He says He will do. If they knew God, they would understand and comprehend what He says in His Word. If they knew God, they would understand His doings much more. The sad part is that most Christians just don't know God.

The reason many Christians don't know God is because they don't spend time with Him. Most Christians go throughout their day and never spend time reading His Word. You will never know God if you don't read His Word on a daily basis. Likewise, you can't know God if you don't spend time talking with Him. If the only time you talk to God is to ask Him to bless your food before you eat, then your knowledge of God is very shallow. Furthermore, if you know God you will meditate on Him on a regular basis. I contend that most Christians don't really know God, and that is why there are not many great works being accomplished. When a person knows God, there are two results, or benefits, to knowing Him.

First, they will be strong. The word "strong" is talking about being courageous. When a Christian truly knows God, they will be courageous for Him. They will be courageous because they know that He will be there for them to Help them do His work. When you know God, you will be amazed how stepping out by faith will not seem to be that hard. When people say they know God, but have a hard time stepping out by faith, then that tells me that their knowledge of God is very shallow. When you know God, your courage will be increased.

Second, they will do "exploits." This is talking about doing heroic acts. An exploit is David killing Goliath. An exploit is Gideon defeating the Midianite army. These men did these heroic acts because they knew God. When you know God, you will find that heroic acts will follow. Why do we not see many heroic acts in Christianity today? The reason is because there are so few Christians who really know God.

I ask you, do you really know God? If you do, then you will find that courage and heroic acts will be a part of your life. If you lack courage to do things for God, then I would encourage you to get to know God. A knowledge of God will build your courage, which will result in heroic acts.

Practice

The Importance of Practice

Daniel 8:12

"And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered."

One of the things I enjoyed when I was in high school was playing sports. When I played sports, one of the most important principles that I learned was the role practice played in the performance on the field or court. We were often told that our practice will determine how we perform. Practice is no doubt one of those things in life that the majority of people despise, but it is certainly the key that divides those who prosper and those who don't.

The verse above is part of the prophecy that God gave Daniel concerning the future. In this prophecy God made a statement about one of the characters in the prophecy when He said, "...and it practised, and prospered." God said later on in verse 24, "...and shall prosper, and practise,..."You will notice that practice came first, then prosperity happened, and then it practiced again.

This is the key to every area of performance. It really doesn't matter how well you perform, but how well you practice. Practice is the key to establishing patterns. Practice is the key to correcting mistakes. Practice is the key that establishes good habits and corrects bad habits. You will temporarily succeed without practice, but practice is the key to perpetual success. Let me point out from this passage of Scripture a couple of thoughts about practice.

First, practice should always come before prosperity. In other words, nobody should ever be allowed to enjoy the benefits of success without practice. Just because someone has talent does not mean they deserve to be on the field. It is not the performance in front of everyone that is important, but it is the performance when there are no crowds to cheer you that is important. Too many people love the accolades, but they don't want to put the effort into what it takes to get those accolades. Nobody deserves a position without practice.

Second, practice displays character. I think of a basketball star who once made a mockery of practice. He skipped practice which resulted in his coach putting him on the bench for one game. This man was one of the superstars in the league, however, this basketball star was broke at the end of his career. You may wonder what practice had to do with his finances, and I will tell you that his practice habits displayed his character. A persons poor character habits concerning practice will bleed over into their finances. A person with poor character will not think that practice is important. Always remember that character is more important than talent, therefore, practice habits reveal character level.

Finally, success does not remove the importance of practice. If practice led you to success, then practice after success will keep you successful. Herein is where many people fail. They succeed, then they stop doing what made them successful. If you want continued success, then you must continue to practice in private as if you have not yet experienced success.

Christian, your private life is important. Your private life reveals your character. What you practice in your private life will eventually be revealed in your public life. Don't ever take the practice time of life lightly, but always put as much effort into the practice time as you do in your time of performance. You may not have the talent that others have, but you can outwork them in the practice time, which will lead to greater performance when others are watching.

Strong Home

How to Have a Strong Home

Proverbs 24:3

"Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:"

One of the greatest needs in every age is strong homes. The home is the foundation of a church and nation. If a nation is to be strong, then it needs strong churches, and if churches are going to be strong, then they need strong homes. A nation will crumble when the home is weak. A church will struggle if the homes in that church are weak. It is imperative that the home be strong.

I am often asked by sincere individuals how they can make their home strong or stronger. There are some who were saved out of a rough life and they struggle to make their home strong. Then there are those who simply want to make their homes stronger. In both cases we can find the answer to a strong home in the first few verses of Proverbs 24.

First, to have a strong home it must be built. God says, "Through wisdom is an house builded;..." You will never have a strong home if you don't have a determination to build it. It takes time to build a home. You will never build a strong home if you don't dedicate your time and effort to build it. Too many people today are so busy with their careers and extra curricular activities that they don't give time to their home. I am not against you enjoying life, but if your home is destroyed, then what do your job and extra curricular activities do for you? You must decide to take the wisdom that you learn through the Word of God, preaching and advice from wise people and apply it so that you can build your home. Don't ever think that your home is just going to be strong because you go to church. It is strong because you decide to take the time and effort to build it.

Second, to have a strong home it must be established. God said, "...by understanding it is established:" A home will never become strong if the individuals in that home don't understand each other. In other words, communication between those in the home is important to establishing your home. If you don't take time to listen to each other, then your home won't be established. One of the greatest causes of problems in the home is a misunderstanding that is caused by a lack of communication. You need to take time to listen to each other so you can grasp an understanding of each individual. A home will never be established without an understanding of each other.

Third, to have a strong home there must be blessings. Verse 4 says, "And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches." One of the things that helps every home is learning each other and doing things to make each other happy. Let me ask you, how well do you know each family member? You should study each other so that you will know what you could do for them to let them know you love them. Every person in the home ought to do things to be a blessing to the others.

Last, to have a strong home it must be protected. Verse 5 says, "A wise man is strong;..." A home that has no rules to protect it is a home that is vulnerable to the attacks of Satan and the world. You must decide to have rules for your home, and those rules must be followed by everyone. You must protect your home if you want it to stay strong.

You home is important to the strength of your church and nation. Not only is it important for those, but it is important for the enjoyment of life. A strong home is not an accident, but it happens because someone decides to build, establish, bless and protect the home that God has given them.

Glorifying

The Glorifying Life

Ezekiel 36:23

"And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes."

God is very clear in the Scriptures that our life is to bring glory to God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." Whether at work or at home, you are to bring glory to God. Whether at church or in the world, you are to bring glory to God. Whether in private or in public, you are to bring glory to God. Your life is to bring glory to God in everything that you do. However, you will notice from the verse above that you bring glory to God through the life that you live. God shows us in the following verses how our life will bring God glory.

First, the separated life brings glory to God. Verse 24 talks about God gathering His people "...out of all countries,..." God expects Christians to be separated from the world. As a Christian you are not to be a part of the world. Yes, you must live in the world, but you don't have to be a part of it.

Second, the obedient life will bring glory to God. In verse 25, God talks about His people being clean from their sin. If you want to bring glory to God with your life, then you must clean your life up from sin. You cannot harbor sin in your life and bring glory to God. Though you may be able to hide it for awhile, eventually your sin will come out and will bring reproach to the name of Christ instead of glory to His name. Whatever sin you may have in your life, you need to be sure to get rid of it so that you can bring God glory each day.

Third, the happy life brings glory to God. In verse 26, God talks about "A new heart..." This is nothing more than having a spirit of joy and happiness. A Christian won't bring glory to God when they walk through life griping and complaining about what they don't have. You can be happy and joyful in spite of what you face in your life. When the world sees you have a happy and joyful spirit as you face your trials, they realize that there is something real about serving God. If you are one who struggles with having a good spirit and attitude, then work hard at having a spirit of joy and happiness so that you can bring glory to God.

Fourth, the Spirit-filled life brings glory to God. In verse 27, God says that He "...will put my spirit within you,..." It is impossible to bring glory to God without having God's Holy Spirit to guide and fill you. Christian, all throughout your day you should ask the Holy Spirit to fill you. Be cognizant of His presence in your life and yield to His leading so that you can bring glory to God.

Finally, the productive life brings glory to God. In verse 30, God talks about multiplying and increasing the fruit of His people. One of the greatest ways you can bring glory to God is to be productive both in the secular life and in the Christian life. God loves productivity. The world notices those who are productive. Nothing will help the world see that you can be more productive through God's help than by you living a productive life.

Christian, any of these lives by themselves will bring glory to God. However, when you make all of these a part of your life, you will bring the greatest glory to God. Those whom God has used the most are those who have made these areas a part of their daily life.