PONDER THIS

A woman was in her house, and a knock came on the door. When she opened the door, the man standing there asked her, “Do you know God?” She was flustered, taken aback. She stuttered and stammered and was embarrassed; she just stepped back and shut the door. The man bowed his head and walked away.

Later the woman’s husband came home. She said, “Darling, let me tell you what happened today. A man knocked at the door of our house, and he asked me if I knew God. I didn’t know what to say. I shut the door in his face. I wish I could find him and apologize to him.” He said, “Apologize? You should’ve slammed the door in his face. What right did he have to ask you such a question? Why didn’t you tell him we are members of the biggest church in our city? Why didn’t you tell him we’re reputable people, that we have a good reputation?” And she said, “He didn’t ask that. He only asked if I knew God.”

That’s what I want to ask you today. Not if you’re a member of a church. Not whether people think you’re fine. Not if you have manners and culture. Not even whether you have religion. Do you know God? The unsaved person encounters hurt, and he’ll go to some looking for a quick fix and say, “Pray for me for all these areas of hurt in my life; I don’t want this trouble.” More than a quick fix, what that person needs is God. Only through Christ can you know God and truly live satisfied.

• Do you know God? How do you grow in your knowledge of Him?

• Who are some people around you who do not know God?

PRACTICE THIS

Talk to a friend who does not know God about how he or she copes during tough times.