Intro from Curt Landry: The Hebrew word yada means "to know" (Strong's H3045). It speaks of a deep, intimate knowing more than intellectual knowledge. Knowing and being known by God is central to our salvation and restoration. In Matthew 7:21–23, Jesus warns that He will say to some, "I never knew you; depart from Me." He is not saying your salvation can be taken from you; He is telling you that true salvation is being known by Him.
To be known by God is the essence of security, love, and wholeness. Lovers of God down through the ages and the Scriptures echo this truth:
"The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: 'Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.'" (Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV)
"Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You." (Psalm 63:3 NKJV)
"Lord, all my desire is before You; and my sighing is not hidden from You." (Psalm 38:9 NKJV)
"Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered." (Psalm 40:5 NKJV)
God pours His lovingkindness on His people; He thinks of you with more thoughts than can be counted. David declared the Father's love was better than life, and he knew the Father was attentive to his cry. This intimacy with God is available. It was not just for saints of old; it's for you today.
"Yada," the Hebrew word meaning "to know," is used multiple times throughout Scripture for a variety of different topics. However, when the term is used to define yada as the relationship between man and God, it speaks of a deep intimacy that the Father longs to have with His children.
Hear from Marisa Fritzemeier, our friend, sister in Yeshua, and Curt Landry Ministries staff member, who testifies with power and beauty how yada—knowing and being known by God—transformed her life.
To Know God Intimately
From Marisa Fritzemeier
"In my early days, I grew up around church. I attended church school. I went to church camp. My entire existence was centered around church, but I'll share a hard truth: It was not centered around intimacy with God.
"Throughout my childhood, I learned how to memorize Scripture, pray, and have daily devotions. I learned how to talk the talk, but when it came to walking intimately with the Lord, I didn't really understand what that entailed. (Photo of Marisa Fritzemeier via Curt Landry Ministries)
"Recently, for a project totally unrelated to this subject, I was reading about the left brain versus the right brain. I tend to favor the right side of my brain over the factual, more practical left side. Through evaluating the pros and cons of both sides of the brain, I gained revelation about my intimate walk with the Lord.
"As more of a right-brained extrovert, I tend to be spontaneous and extravagant. I show my love through giant outbursts of hugs and support that have no other purpose than to love and be loved.
"But to me, growing up, the God of the Church seemed more left brained. He cared about numbers, facts, how many Scriptures I had memorized, and the level of discipline I could achieve by waking up early every morning to read the Word. Still, my right-brain self longed for a spontaneous outburst now and again—a love walk with an intimate friend—but that just seemed too silly for a staunch and crisp heavenly Father."
I Taught Myself to Hide My Need for Greater Intimacy
Marisa continues:
"Over time, because I had no understanding, I would teach myself to place these inner longings deep within myself, hiding my need for a greater intimacy with Him from others and from myself. In exchange, I did my daily duties as an obligatory sacrifice to what seemed a disapproving God. (Photo via Unsplash)
"So, it is no wonder that when I became an adult and had the opportunity to walk away from the Church, and worse still, to walk away from God, I took it. It was just too hard. I just could never measure up. There was always someone else who was so much better at self-discipline than I was, and it just made sense to me that God must love them more because of their abilities.
"Soon after making this decision, I chose a career in the arts. In some ways, I came home for the first time. The arts are filled with passionate people who march to the beat of their own drum, who love self-exploration and expression. It was a whole new world, where I was invited to explore just for the sake of exploring. The process of creativity was enough. The journey was the thing, not the destination. Yet, after a time, that became empty too. I kept walking in circles and struggling to focus. Eventually, I just got lost altogether.
My Father Saw Me from Afar
"Just like the prodigal son in the parable Jesus told, I would later decide that it would be better to be a slave in my Father's house than to wallow in the mud of a pig pen. In a desperate cry for help, I chose to renounce my sins and to invite Jesus into my heart, understanding that I would once again be obligated to read the Word, memorize, obey, obey, obey. It wasn't an easy decision. You may be shocked at this statement... but it just wasn't.
"Then, much to my surprise, what happened instead of a life of indentured servitude is this: My Father saw me from afar off! He met me where I was at, and in an extravagant act of love towards me, He came running down the road, yelling out, 'My daughter! My daughter! She has returned home! Kill My very best calf! Throw a party! Let's celebrate My beautiful extravagant daughter who has returned to Me!' The Father, who I had so longed to please through works, showed me the overabundance of His true heart for me in a spontaneous outburst of love and celebration.
"It has taken time, but over the last few years, Father God has been removing the barriers that have stood in my way from truly walking in intimacy with Him. I understand now that walking in close relationship is a balancing act. I study the Scriptures now to better understand the One who ran to me, displaying His affection for the entire world to see. I spend time in prayer for the issues that break His heart, not out of obligation, but because I love what He loves. (Photo via Unsplash)
Allowing My Right-Brain Self to Express Yada with God
"I write in my journal to Him. I paint, dance, and take pictures. I sing to Him. I plant gardens and walk with Him in His creation. I allow my right-brain self to express yada with Him in my own unique ways. The more I do this, the more I long to read His Word and know Him more. It is a life of devotion, not a life of devotions.
"I want to encourage you: if you, too, struggle with developing an intimate relationship with the Father, begin a process of unpacking where those lies crept into your heart. Ask Him to show you where you've exchanged works or acts of service for private quality times that were unique just to your relationship with Him.
"Ask Father God to give you wisdom and revelation of how He is yearning to communicate to you through the pages of the Bible. Reach out to Him, inviting Him into every aspect of your day-to-day life, understanding that He placed certain desires in your heart for a reason and that He knows your thoughts and the greatest desires of your heart.
Letting Your Extravagant Father Fill the Voids
"As you begin to allow Him to join you in even the silliest little expressions of your love for Him, He will begin to fill up those voids and places of deep longing for intimacy, and in turn, His love will begin to overflow out of you and into the lives of others.
"May you be encouraged today, strengthened in the knowledge that your heavenly Father is an extravagant Papa who waits eagerly and expectantly to spend quality yada time with you... and you alone."
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Rabbi Curt Landry
Founder, Curt Landry Ministries
Email:Â info@curtlandry.com
Website:Â www.curtlandry.com
Curt Landry is the founder and CEO of Curt Landry Ministries, an apostle and founder of House of David Ministries, and the acting CEO of My Olive Tree and Dead Sea Moringa. Curt and Christie Landry travel extensively, operating in the gifts of healing, signs and wonders, and teaching about the Jewish roots of the Christian faith and the One New Man. Curt is also active in raising support for Israel throughout the Evangelical community as he desires to be a bridge of unity and restoration between Israel and the Church.
Marisa Fritzemeier
Staff Member, Curt Landry Ministries
Marisa Fritzemeier has attended the House of David since 2010. Over the years, she has been honored to serve the House in various capacities. It has been her most extraordinary privilege to join them on multiple trips to Israel and neighboring nations. Marisa spends much of her time working with children. She has a BFA in Theatre from Emporia State and has spent much of her life dedicated to exploring various artistic mediums. She is passionate about developing art programming with Kingdom purposes. Marisa also works part time for Curt Landry Ministries as their graphic designer. It is her highest honor to know Yeshua as her personal savior, and it is with great joy that she serves Him daily.
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