9 Things I know

My good friend, the late R. J. Stevens, loved to tell stories and jokes. This morning I was reminded of him when I came across this one. I heard him tell it several times.

A lady is walking around a pet store enjoying looking at the various animals when she stops to admire a parrot. Suddenly the parrot says, “Braaaaaak, Hey lady, you’re really ugly!” 

Well, the woman is highly offended and goes straight to the store owner to complain. He sincerely apologizes. Then goes over to the parrot and tells him to be quiet.

A few minutes later, she walks by the parrot and she hears, “ “Braaaaaak, Hey lady, you’re really ugly!” Now the lady is furious as she storms back to the owner to voice her outrage.

The owner goes over to the cage, grabs the bird by throat, shakes it, and warns it not to speak to the woman again.

Finally, the lady starts to leave the store and hears the parrot go, “Braaaaaak!’

She stopped and with an icy stare, indignantly snapped back at the parrot, “WHAT?”

The bird, strutting back and forth on its perch in a cocky manner, said, “You know what!”

Now, I don’t remember what point R. J. was trying to make, if any. But it’s a funny story.   It does remind me that there are some things that we just know. Especially when it comes to God’s Word.

Too often there is an emphasis on “gray areas,” unanswered questions, or issues that God has not revealed to us in the Bible. But there are plenty of things that we know. Here are 9 things I know.

“We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true — even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” (I John 5:20, NIV)

“You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. (2 Cor 8:9, NKJV)

“For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (Eph 5:5, NASU)

“We know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” (Heb 10:30, ESV

“…We know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.” (I John 2:3, NKJV)

“…I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” ( 2 Tim 1:12, NIV)

“We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. (I John 4:13, NIV)

“We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Rom. 8:28, NKJV)

“We know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (2 Cor 5:1, ESV)

Right now, I can envision R. J. looking down, with a smile on his face, saying, “I know!”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman