*I wrote the following to my CCF Devotional Leaders, in response to the devo that was sent to our fellowship today. The original devotional is posted below my message.*
Good devo today, ladies 
I agree with what’s written, however, knowing Blackaby… I thought I might share with you some of my own thoughts on these issues:
- How do we come to ‘know’ God?
- OR consider, how do we come to ‘experience’ God? (I don’t think “experience” has ever been used in Scripcture in referring to our relationship to God.)
- How do we define “quality time“? (also another word not used in the Bible)
I find that according to God’s Word… we have 2 ways in which God reveals Himself to us–the only 2 means by which we know Him:
- First, by the creation, preservation, and government of the universe, since that universe is before our eyes like a beautiful book in which all creatures, great and small, are as letters to make us ponder the invisible things of God: his eternal power and his divinity, as the apostle Paul says in Romans 1:20.
(All these things are enough to convict men and to leave them without excuse.)
- Second, he makes himself known to us more openly by His Holy and Divine Word, as much as we need in this life, for his glory and for the salvation of His own.
I quote the above from the oldest confession in the reformed church, the Belgic Confession.
I ask because there are some who find surfing the web to stay atuned to the happenings of God’s Church, reading up on theology, watching/listening to good expositional preaching, Bible study, etc–to be “quality” time in seeking to know God (myself included, LOL). I don’t find such to be of lesser “quality” than sitting in the middle of the wilderness admiring His beauties.
I just mean to say that in today’s time, a lot of people believe that experiencing God–apart from reading/studying/meditating on His Word–can be considered quality time with God. I used to think that, do that… sit outside, waiting for God to speak in the quietness and solitude. I’m not saying that He doesn’t use those times/environments to reveal Himself to us, but when a “voice” is heard and when we ‘experience’ God in this way… there is room for error, a big room to hear ourselves & things we want to hear–rather than what God says.
I think we should always measure our experience of God & the Spirit’s manifestations, against the Word of God–what God has said, and what He says today. No human experience of the Holy Trinity should ever contradict God’s Word. As Scripture is the sole authority for life and faith, the Holy Spirit never speaks independently of or contrary to what is set forth in the Bible, nor will our personal spiritual experience ever be a vehicle of Divine revelation.
Anyways, that’s only my opinion… albeit a bit conservative. I’m just trying to be careful as Biblcal as possible as I delve mor einto the Charismatic realm.
I leave you with a bit more to ponder on “quiet time”: http://www.challies.com/archives/001958.php
Soli Deo Gloria,
Alex Leung
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On 8/17/06, CCF Committee wrote:Â
Good morning/afternoon/evening =)Â Â Â
I trust that most 4th year students are up already, since they must be EXCITED about choosing their final year courses…or I guess finalizing them 
Now this week’s devo was taken from Henry and Richard Blackaby’s Exepriencing God Day-by-Day devotional book.
Knowing Christ
“You search the Scriptures, for in them you eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” John 5:39-40     Â
Bible study will not give you eternal life. You could memorize the entire Bible and be able to discuss minute issues of biblical scholarship and yet fail to experience the truths found in its pages. It is a subtle temptation to prefer book to the author. A book will not confront you about your sin; the Author will. Books can be ignored; it is much harder to avoid the Author when He is seeking a relationship with you.
The Pharisees in Jesus’ day thought God would be please with their knowledge of His Word. They could quote long, complicated passages of Scripture. They loved to recite and study God’s Law for hours on end. Yet Jesus condemned them because, although they knew the Scriptures, they did not know God. They were proud of their Bible knowledge, but they rejected the invitation to know God’s Son.
Can you imagine yourself knowing all that God has promised to do in your life but then turning to something else instead? You may be tempted to turn to substitutes. These substitutes aren’t necessarily bad things. They might include serving in the church, doing good deeds, or reading Christian books. No amount of Christian activity will ever replace your relationship with Jesus. The apostle Paul considered every “good” thing he had ever done to be “rubbish” when compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ (Phil. 3:8). Never become satisfied with religious activity rather than a personal, vibrant and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
Food for thoughtÂ
1)Â Â Â Â Â When was the last time you took time out of your BUSY schedule to spend quality time with God?
2)Â Â Â Â Â Are you substituting your quality time with God by being busy with Christian activities?
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