by leaps and bounds

            Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did, But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man. (John 2:23-25)

            People believed in Jesus’ name “when” they saw the signs which He did. Jesus did not trust Himself to people who believed only due to signs and miracles.  He knew fallen human nature. We can be sure: He knows.

            It is impossible to hide anything from our Lord. Notice the words of Hebrews 4:13: And there is not creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Knowing that we are accountable, we must be completely transparent when we pray to Him.

            You see, He knows more than our actions. He knows what we are thinking. He knows our intentions – whether good or bad. Hebrews 4:12 tells us our thoughts and intentions are measured by His Word:

            For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

            He knows. With this in mind, our prayers can be direct and honest. If we are angry, we can say so. If we are sad, we can say so. If we are happy, we can say so. We can tell Him anything. He can handle it. After all – He knows.

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Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.