"To Know God's Rich Mercy"

'You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?' Basically there are a few different meanings to the word know, and some actually are the result of knowing, while others are more of the practice of knowing of. I know that you have heard the talk and walk statement before, but have you ever wondered how it could relate to knowing Jesus? There is a reason for the 'Rich' in the way I have been expressing God's Mercy, and it has to do with what you know; because when we do know His Mercy, not just knowing of it, but knowing it because we live it, then we also realize that it far out ways everything else. No fear of man or praise of man can stand up against the Mercy of our God, and what His mercy brings. With that in mind, let me refresh your memory to the meaning of 'Agape' and how God's Love meets our individual lives; because the meaning involves God's willful direction toward man, and Him doing what He knows is best for us and not necessarily what we desire. Can we say that about any other? No, I don't think that we can; because those that we would try and please here on this earth, would be more incline to want what is best for them, above what is best for us. Besides, they do not know all that God knows, so why should we put any stock in their praises. Yet, this is the direction that many of our brothers and sisters go; where the praises of men are more valuable than the praise of God; and for what? a few moments of fellowship; shallow fellowship that does not provide a lick of redeeming value. A good example of what I am talking about could be found in John 13, where we find Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. In verse 6 we see Jesus come to Peter, and Peter say, "Lord, dost thou wash my feet?"; and Jesus answered in verses 7, "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter". The 'knowest' and the 'know' are two very different words, with two very different meanings; both are the result of knowing, yet are the result of two separate ways to gain that knowledge. While we are His children we will gain knowledge of Him and His love for us; when we became His child we were brought to the knowledge of Him and how much He loves us. One way is the result of living in Him, and the other is the result of Him living in us; both are the result of a heart that surrenders!!!