Lord Jesus, I cannot get enough of You.

Monday 6-13-2016  (Martinez, Argentina) 

Scripture Reading:  1 Kings 13 - 14   2 Chron 12    Phil 3

S=Scripture  O=Observation  A=Application  P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S.  Phil 3:8-11 I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. NKJV

O.  The Jews gave great importance to their pedigree.  All the genealogies were carefully recorded. But the Apostle Paul is now sitting in a prison cell. He has given up his pedigree, his status as a devout Pharisee, his belongings, even his freedom... and counts them all as garbage just to be found “in Christ”... seeking to “know Him.”

A.  Somehow the small phrase stands out to me “that I may know Christ...” Did Paul not yet know Christ?  Christ had met him on the road to Damascus, filled him with His Spirit, called him to be a missionary... yet he expresses a deep desire to “know Christ”. I have known the Lord since the day of my salvation 79 years ago. He has anointed me with His Spirit, called me to be a missionary... but can I truly say that I “know Him.” I could shake a famous person’s hand and say, “I know him.”  Paul’s expression here shows a hunger for deep intimacy with His Lord Jesus Christ.  And I join him today in this desire.

P.  Lord, I have walked with You for many miles. I have stumbled and fallen. You have showed me mercy and have picked me up. I have heard Your voice speaking into my heart. But I cannot get enough of You. I want to “know You” intimately. Draw me nearer to Your heart.  May I press my ear to Your bosom and hear Your heart as is beats for the lost! Draw me nearer to You and come with me as, together, we reach out to call the “lost ones” to “know You” as well.  Amen. 

Ralph