BEING KNOWN BY GOD

-as much as we want to know God more, God also wants to know us more thoroughly and accurately

-we may claim tt we know God, but does God really knows us?

there is a possibility tt in our pursuit, us wanting to do great things for God... we also have to be known by God

a person known by God

1. has identity in Christ

-one has a name, whereas the rich man name is unknown

   -this difference cos of the identity

-wealth of the rich man does not prevent him from going to paradise... but his identity

-well known on earth, but completely nameless in heaven

-dont get self-worth by works, esteem by being better than others

   -its is not sustainable... we will fall into a trap that we will feel a failure if we did not accomplish anything...and this will destroy us

one who has his/her identity remain intact even if we pursuit success

2. choose to submit and obey God's will

-do we submit the situation or do we choose to take control over the situation on our own?

   -if we are arrogant, it will not please God

a person loved by God is one who still trust and love God even if prayers is not yet answered

-Jesus chose to submit fully to God

-Jesus chose maturity over miracles

-Jesus chose to stay instead of running away

3. cares for the poor and the marginalized

show compassion to others is regarded as God as doing for Him (doing on His behalf)

showing kindness is the least we can do to show tt we are the child of God

-the Pharisees look down at the poor

-give out of compassion, out of genuine kindness...

-not give to sneer at others, out of pity

OVERCOMING FEAR AND DOUBT

-with Jesus, we dont have to stay in darkness

   -not we dont have to face darkness

1. act as if its not there... put up a brave front to show tt we are not weak

2. vent all emotions unreservedly, publicly

3. pray through our emotions when we are going through a crisis

   -tell God exactly how we feel.. bring it to God's presence and let God work through our heart

not only the situation David is facing, there is an attack on his faith in God

David prayed through his fear and get to a place of trust and peace in God

-when David is feeling at his lowest, he realized "but God".. meaning God is not finish with him..

-there is another side of it

   -theres a purpose to every situation

   -we and God maybe looking at the same crisis, but we dont see the same perspective as God

perspectives David sees

1. God's shield of protection only works when we face and not run away from danger

-shield is useful only when we go to war

   -God's shield is not for us to get out of a crisis

      -its a protection for us in a crisis

   -protected in God means tt all bad things tt happened will still be used by God

   -God's protection works only when we are ready to face our crisis

2. relocate our glory and see God's salvation plan

-all the things David had built were all taken from him

   -kingdom, son, identity, faith

-not only to face fear but why are we afraid and anxious

   -David put his security on things tt are finite and unstable

    -David realize tt only God's approval is impt... only then he obtained peace

obeying Christ is difficult and uncomfortable but tts how God's protection work

-the opposite of fear is love! not bravery

-crisis is unavoidable in life