Greetings,
Last time we mentioned about first things in studying the Word of God. What are these first things? It is the desire of the Lord that we understand his priorities by studying his Word. Yes, we want to be like Jesus, but how is this accomplished? Do we study for knowledge?. . . or for ministry?. . . to teach? . . .to lead? Actually, it is none of these. Read on. . .

In studying the Word, we also learn to be silent and listen to his Spirit minister the Word to us in our quiet time. And yes, we need a quiet time. Just Jesus and You! Alone. Hard??? It can be, especially if we are not used to taking time and stop everything we do. We cannot rush a quiet time with Jesus, it will not work. We will not grow up into him. No microwave experience here. It is a slow process requiring of us determination and some work. Are you willing?

OK, let's see what the Scriptures says. In 1Chronicles 28:9, it says in the first few words: "And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a willing mind. . . "
Let's study this. Notice that David told Solomon before he can start building the temple, he must 'know', and then 'serve'.

To know the Lord is to have intimacy with Him. It's to have a life with the Lord, a close communication with the Creator of the universe. He should be the first love of our lives. Before we can serve we must minister to him first by spending time with the Lord in prayer and in the Word. Let's look at another Scripture in Hebrews 5:5-6, it says: "So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten you"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek." (King of Holiness and Peace). So what is this saying? Jesus first was a Son, then a priest. In other words, to be a son is to have a loving relationship with the Father without looking for any position, benefit, interest or expected priesthood (ministerial position). It is loving God the Father for who He is, our Father, our God our Love. Notice the Scriptures says ". . . Christ did not exalt himself. . . ". Meaning He loved the Father because he had an intimacy with the Father as no other human being ever experienced. No interest. I love you for who you are my God, my Father. This was Jesus' human experience. Is this ours? It can be, and this is God's will as a first priority. This is first love. In Jesus' intimacy with the Father, he was appointed by the Father to be a priest. Priesthood implies ministry. Therefore, Jesus became a minister of Peace and Holiness.

Let's understand something here, Jesus being a Son had the attributes of God in his life as a human being by the Spirit. We also, as sons of God must have the Father's communicable attributes by the Spirit because this defines us as sons, after all.

In conclusion, in knowing the Father intimately in Jesus' name, we become like him in his holiness and peace because we take the time for Jesus to minister to us his righteousness expressed in terms of holiness and peace as a Priest after the order of Melchizedek, King of Holiness and Peace. After we have the right relationship with God in the name of Jesus by his Spirit, we can then minister to others the Word of God. There are other Scriptures defining these realities in which we will look at in class. Be ready to be challenged. Do we have an intimate relationship with God? Are we sons of God before we are priests of God? We cannot be priests before being sons because then we appointed ourselves. God only appoints sons. . . (and daughters, of course) Yes, indeed only the saints with an intimate relationship with God can minister to him in accordance with Scriptures.

So as Hosea says, "Let us know , let us press on to know the Lord;. . . " Because one day many will come and say to him: "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and do many mighty works in your name? And I (Jesus) will declare to them, ' I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers. . . " So this knowing is a very serious 'first thing' in the eyes of the Lord. Let's make his priorities, our priorities.

To have intimacy with the Lord is to know him, and to know him is to have a right relationship with him as sons and daughters. Then and only then we can understand the work of the Lord. Knowing starts with time in prayer and the Word by study. And this we will do for the next few weeks!! Are you ready to know the Lord in a deeper degree and receive the riches of assured understanding and the knowledge of God? .

God Bless all of you this night. . .
Many blessings. . .
Eis Cristos
Al Sosa

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