09/07/2026
Weekly Words from Ralph:
I heard someone say, “I am afraid we want to know what God will do for us instead of knowing who God is to us.” There is a lot of truth in that statement.
Some people want nothing to do with God until they need God. Others want just enough of God to make them feel safe. They want His blessings, His protection, His forgiveness, and His help, but never take the time to know the One who gives those things.
I hope that is not you. But if it is, I hope something causes you to stop and think about the kind of relationship you have with God. One of my greatest concerns as a minister is seeing this attitude among Christians. We can become so focused on what God can give us that we forget to appreciate the One who is giving. We can want God’s gifts without truly wanting God.
Think about Christmas. It is often called “the most wonderful time of the year,” and one reason is the joy of giving and receiving gifts. Most of us expect to receive something from someone we love. Why do we give gifts to family and friends? Because we have a relationship with them. We know them, love them, and want to do something special for them.
We don’t normally walk into a store, randomly choose a gift, wrap it, and give it to someone we don’t know. Why? Because gifts mean something when they come from someone who knows us and loves us.
The same is true with God. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.” God’s gifts are good and perfect because they come from a good and perfect God who knows us, loves us, and desires a relationship with us.
I sometimes wonder how differently we would live if God physically walked beside us every day. Would we make different choices? Would we be more consistent in our behavior? Would we be more involved in His church? Would we be more conscious of the way we speak, the things we do, and the people we influence?
We may not physically see God walking beside us, but He is there. Perhaps that is what we need to remember. Christianity is not simply about getting something from God. It is about knowing God, loving Him, trusting Him, obeying Him, walking with Him, and allowing our relationship with Him to change the way we live.
Yes, I am thankful for what God can do for me. I am thankful for His blessings, His forgiveness, His protection, and His promises. But more than anything else, I am thankful for who God is to me.
I don’t want just what God can give me. I want God.
What about you?
