From the Pastor's Heart
Posted on Wed, Sep 23, 2009
LET GOD JUST TALK
It has been said for centuries that Christians are "a people of one book." That book is the Bible.
Certainly, the Bible is not just an ordinary book. It is a powerful book. By God’s own admission, "The word of God is full of living power" (Hebrews 4:12). What is more, the Bible can transform and shape our lives. "It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deeper into our innermost through and desires. It exposes us for what we really are" (Hebrews 4:12).
I've read a lot of books and I must say that none of them has had the kind of impact on my life like the Bible. It has extraordinary power...if listen.
As you know, I am a huge proponent of Bible reading. More to the point, I strongly advocate listening to God. That’s what you do when you open the Bible. You listen to God as He speaks through the words and pages. Whenever you open your Bible, you engage the living God. And with an open heart, you entertain his thoughts about Himself…about love…about life...about relationships with others...about raising kids...about sex...about money...about sin…about righteousness…about His hopes…about His plans…about YOU!
So, when you open your Bible the next time, envision yourself sitting down with God engaged in a conversation with Him. If you’re having a hard time getting that picture in your mind, think of how you interact when you’re talking with another person. Your eyes are alert. You move around in your chair in positions showing comfort, excitement, agitation, etc. Depending on your perspective on the person's ideas or opinions, your head nods gently up and down. Or, it could emphatically shake right to left. You make sounds like "mmmhmmm" when you agree, and "huh uh" when you don't.
Give that same kind of attention to the Lord of the universe.
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself saying things like “Wow!,” “Aha!,” “Grrrr,” or “Hmmm.” It’s responses like these that bring me the most of God through the Bible. Let me explain from my own experience.
· When I say,“Wow!”, it’s because God said something that was absolutely captivating. It could be a new idea or a promise. It might be facts or truths I’ve never heard before.
· When I say, “Aha!” ,it’s because God clarified something that had been confusing or previously misunderstood.
· When I say, “Grrrrr”, it’s because God sometimes says things that I don’t like or want to hear. It’s usually the stuff that conflicts with my current attitudes, values, priorities, behavior, and/or worldview.
· When I say, “Hmmm”, it’s because I need to further consider something, i.e. hard truths never considered, negative attitudes rooted deeply in my DNA, positive traits about His character, etc.
Try this for yourself. Select a passage from the Bible and grab your pen and paper. Start reading and jotting down what God is saying that fits into these four categories. Trust me, it will be one of the most productive conversations you’ve ever had.
For the Christian, there is no other book. The Bible is our book. Well, actually it’s God’s book. But, it is God’s book to us, His children. We must read it. Don't read it strictly motivated "to get something out of it." Instead, read the Bible so that God can get into you…into your head and your heart. So, go ahead. Grab your Bible and just let God talk.
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