Hi Brian!

I hope you had a great trip! The word for this week is "know". There are a few different Greek words translated know, but we'll be looking at the word found in these verses:

John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. KJV

John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. KJV

Phil 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; KJV

This is the Greek word "ginosko". Thayer's Greek Lexicon says this: to learn to know, to come to know, to get knowledge of, to understand, to perceive, to become acquainted with. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: to be taking in knowledge, to recognize. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament also adds this: intelligent comprehension, a perception of things as they are and not an opinion about them. Jesus said in John 8:31, above, that this level of knowledge comes as we continue in the Word. It takes a commitment to spend time studying the Word until it becomes real to us. For others to "know" that we are His disciples, they have to be able to observe our lives, not just see a random act of love. For us to get to really "know" Him and His power, also takes time and a great commitment. In the Amplified Bible Paul calls it a "determined purpose":

Phil 3:10 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection  AMP

One of the most important ways to come to this level of recognition, understanding, perception and comprehension is to meditate on the Word. Joshua 1:8:

8 This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. AMP

Meditation involves reading, studying, thinking about, speaking about it to ourselves and others. It takes time and there is never an end to it, simply an ever increasing understanding! The Word is really limitless and the more we learn and know, the more we increase our capacity to learn and know even more! This is certainly NOT a boring life! Just as you have grown and developed at Target from a "rookie" to a Senior Buyer (Congratulations! So proud of you both!) you have also grown and developed in your understanding and skill where the Word of God is concerned. Your girls are learning from you at an early age when it is so much easier to learn and they have the potential to become even more proficient in the Word! Now THAT is really exciting and I am so blessed to be able to see that! We love them and you! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with another new song called "Face To Face":

FACE TO FACE

[Verse 1]

I remember when I called Your name

There I knew I'd never be the same

Love came rushing to this heart of mine

Like You waited for this all my life

I remember when I learned to pray

Close to You I find my hiding place

And Your Spirit looks within my soul

And Your presence keeps me wanting more

[Verse 2]

When I think upon your wounded hands

And how you begun a great romance

I will take your bread and take your wine

To remember what you sacrificed

Now I'm serving for Your kingdom come

Where You're leading me is where I'll run

Jesus I can be your hands and feet

And let my life remember You my King

I need You more than anything

[Bridge]

Lord here I am

I'm reaching out

I will lay me down and surrender

I'll sing Your name

I'll sing it loud

You are all I want, now forever

(2x)

Lord here I am

[Verse 3]

And the day shall come when I will rise

Finally I'll see you face to face

With the heavens I will glorify

Crown You Lord for eternity

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!