A teaching by Rev. Barbara Williams, President of the Ministry of the Watchman International
Week of January 1-5, 2024
MONDAY
Yet indeed 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.
Philippians 3:8-11
How does one know God? How does one know anybody?
There are many ways to know a person, but it is a given that one must have relationship with the person one endeavors to know. We must be interested in that person.
Why should we be interested in God? One reason is because He is God. We all want to be close to important, famous or glamorous people. God is all of these. He is Almighty God, so that makes Him All Important. He is full of awesome wonder, power and might… He is more than glamorous. He is glorious.
He has everything at His command, so He is worth knowing. He is definitely a Mover and a Shaker, so He is Famous, Powerful and Wonderful. I’m interested in having a relationship with Him. How about you?
If you are in need of healing, there is good news! Proverbs 4:20-22 SAYS:
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
So there is life and health in God’s word. Since God’s word is medicine, we must take it like we would a prescription. I suggest three times a day, like you would your food. Remember, healing is the children’s bread. Consider this your “dose” for today. Remember, read, and meditate three times a day the following:
Rx: Acts 10:38 ~ How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15
If you’ve never studied the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, we invite you to join us as we read through the Bible in a year. Read and meditate on these chapters this week:
January 1: Genesis 1, Matthew 1, Ezra 1, Acts 1
January 2: Genesis 2, Matthew 2, Ezra 2, Acts 2
January 3: Genesis 3, Matthew 3, Ezra 3, Acts 3
January 4: Genesis 4, Matthew 4, Ezra 4, Acts 4
January 5: Genesis 5, Matthew 5, Ezra 5, Acts 5
January 6: Genesis 6, Matthew 6, Ezra 6, Acts 6
January 7: Genesis 7, Matthew 7, Ezra 7, Acts 7
TUESDAY
Yet indeed 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.
Philippians 3:8-11
So how do we initiate relationship with God? How did you begin the last relationship with the last person you were interested in? You called them up.
We can call upon God. How do we call? In a number of ways. Those who don’t know Him at all will ask Him if He is real to show Himself by responding to their cry. Those who have some knowledge will call in time of need. Those who are in covenant will initiate contact through worship. Some may relate by appointment, daily fellowship and time with God. Some people talk to Him all day long. For some people God is the only companion and source of comfort.
All these have been true for most of us at some time. If you get my meaning, you know it’s important to call. Period.
WEDNESDAY
Yet indeed 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.
Philippians 3:8-11
After you have called on God, He invites you in to covenant with Him. This is the highest level of knowledge. This is God’s plan to reform us into His glorious image. We can be as He is now. We will know the power of His resurrection. We must also know the fellowship of His sufferings. We cannot know the former without knowing the latter.
This is another facet to relationship and knowing someone… the cost. Each relationship has a price. Some relationships may be easy, but they lack commitment. A covenant is based on commitment and vows.
THURSDAY
Yet indeed 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.
Philippians 3:8-11
Once the covenant is entered into, then the terms of the covenant will be in force. In each covenant, there is a stronger and weaker party. In our case with God, of course, He is the stronger. How awesome to think that the creator and Master of the Universe has come down to make friends with us.
To think that God calls us “friend”, and adopts us as His beloved children is the highest honor imaginable. We are much more than servants… we are friends.
FRIDAY
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
John 15:13-16
Being friends with God means loyalty to Him. The highest compliment that can be paid a friend is that he is loyal and faithful. Friends also love and serve one another. Jesus first loved and served us; He removed our sins and alleviated our suffering. When we are friends of God, we are giving back of what He has given us by loving Him and loving one another.
Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35). This is the greatest commandment. When we obey His command, we show our love for Him.
How do we resolve to know God? Through learning and obeying His command to love. We know Him by love.