READ | Philippians 3:7-11

God wants people to know Him more than anything they have ever known before. If He preferred anonymity, He would not have orchestrated the writing of a multi-author book about Himself. But Bible reading is just a first step. Knowing about God is different than knowing God. Anyone can learn a few facts about Him, but only a dedicated believer takes the time and energy to be His friend. Do you remember when you first met your wife or husband? Do you remember just how much you wanted to find out about her or him, their every little detail right down to the cologne or perfume they wore that made them smell so irresistable? Well that is how God wants our attention toward Him and not like the way we are with some distant cousin or those we call aquaintences.

First, we learn about the Lord from His Word. Now hunters and archers do you remember how you felt when you purchased that new bow? I know you know what I am talking about here as I did the very same thing. I dug thru every magazine artical I could find, every internet posting I could find so I could get to know my bow better than anything to become aquinted with it on a very personal level. After all I was going to use this bow from target shooting to hunting game. So I had to make sure my sights were just right. I had to make sure that my broadheads were just right. And I have to make sure my arrow shafts spline and weight is just right for proper flight to match my bow.

By reading the Bible, believers begin to accumulate facts about God’s character, principles, and ways of operating. Unfortunately, churches are full of men and women who stop at this step. They know a lot of religion but cannot share faith. They have not allowed themselves to know God as He would want us to know Him. They cannot give you a passionate experience in knowing God, because they have only allowed themselves to know God in casual manor.

The second step is to meditate on Scripture. That means thinking about God’s words and allowing the Holy Spirit to interpret them. How has God spoken to you thru His Word? The next time you read Scripture, don't just read the Word and simply put your Bible away. Close your eyes blocking out all distractions, and ask God to really reveal to you what you have just read.

Finally, we must apply what we learn. Suppose you read Psalm 46:1 which says, "God is a very present help in times of trouble." Then, when trouble shows up, you rely on Him for help. When He answers—and He will answer, although not always as expected—you learn something: God helps you by responding to your trust and dependence with a custom-made solution to your problem.