Psalms 131:1-3 1 My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. 2 But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.

LOVE OF GOD UNIVERSITY CHAPEL January 25, 2009 Lunar New Year’s Sunday

Happy New year! 新 年 快 樂 ! 새해 복 많이 받으십시오 !

Today was a tomorrow a person, who died yesterday, so wanted to live. We ought to live today a life worth-living, in the love of God, guided by the Holy Spirit, and along with Christ Jesus

DO YOU KNOW GOD?

NATURE OF GOD Can do everything (Almighty) Knows everything Exists everywhere Holy Righteous Loves Changeless Eternal Truth and wisdom God is our Abba, Father

It seems that we know pretty much about God. However, DO WE REALLY KNOW GOD?

Knowing about God vs. Knowing God Knowing about God: Accumulation of Knowledge Knowing God: Sharing something with God (Experiencing and feeling)

When the angel Gabriel told Mary "You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus", Mary asked the angel (Luke 1:34), (NIV) "How will this be, since I am a virgin? (KJV) "How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?"

We need to know God, not only know about God.

We have to know God to understand the love of God.

How do we get to know God? Reading the bible Praying Referring to someone who knows better

DAVID Was once referred to by God as ‘a man after my own heart’ (Act 13:22) – perhaps the best praise a man could get from God Committed sins – adultery, murder Punished harshly Thorough repent Blessed again

David describes God as shepherd. (Psalms 23:1-6) 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.” GOOD SHEPHERD calls his own sheep by name (John 10:3) when he goes on ahead of them, his sheep follow him because they know his voice (10:4) lays down his life for the sheep (10:11)

David also says "God is like the mother of a weaned child." (Psalm 131) 1 My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. 2 But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.

You do not need to try to do something great or wonderful to have your mother's love.

We often say God is changeless. However, In the bible, we can find that God changes his plan sometimes.

In the book of Jonah, God planned to destroy Nineveh because its wickedness came up to him. But when they turned from their evil ways He did not destroy them.

Jonah was displeased and angry, and said to God (Jonah 4:2), “I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.”

God loves us so much that he changes his plan.

Let's have our soul stilled and quieted with our Lord, like a weaned child with its mother. – calm and peaceful Let's make David's psalm ours.

Do you feel like you don't deserve God's love because you have sinned? Satan says to us, "You are so sinful. How dare you become God's children? How dare you say you are doing God's work?"

Our Father in heaven says, "I know you are sinners. I sent my Son, Jesus, to call you, sinners. Just come to me as you are. I will change you."

We don't have to be changed to become God's children. We become God's children first, then God will change us. God so loves us that He doesn't wait until we change.