|
Details about Understanding His Word:
What’s Next?
Understanding His Word
Hey! How is it going? Since my last contact with you I hope you have started
down that awesome path to a life with Jesus. I kinda feel like a new mother. I’m
really excited about your future. See, I’ve been where you are, and there is
such excitement and joy that I get to work along with you. I hope to help you
weed out the bad stuff and encourage you where you need it the most. I also hope
to share in all the wonderful exciting things that are taking place.
One thing I remember, and still experience today is the wonderful way that Jesus
reveals Himself in the tiniest ways. All of sudden our eyes and ears are opened
to what use to be just every-day things, we now see His plan unfold, and see how
He works out details of an impossible situation. When I really got serious about
my relationship with Jesus, He flooded me with people that helped me. Most of
the time I was not even aware of it until later, and then my hand would slap my
forehead and I’d say, “You silly - THAT WAS GOD!”
When you read God’s word it becomes life to you. It says in Isaiah 55:11 that
His word goes forth out of His mouth and shall not return void, but IT SHALL
PROSPER in the thing for which I God sent it!!! The first time I saw in my tiny
understanding that if God spoke into existence all of Heaven and Earth and
created everything on it, that He was beyond my comprehension of how great He
is. That very same God tells me, He speaks to us through His word that He loves
me enough to send Jesus to die, just for me. Oh Man!! Stand up and shout - jump
up and down and shout Hallelujah! His very word that you have started reading is
so powerful, and just think, it is just for you - and me! But what I want you to
see is that this whole thing is about a very personal relationship with Him.
I love to read in John 17 where Jesus is talking to His Father (Who sent Him) in
a very personal, intimate way. There is such love, a love that no one outside
the love of God can understand.
Since I last wrote - I know you’ve read a lot, and hopefully started to pray. We
will talk later in depth about prayer. It is all-important. Just reading the
Word is not enough, you need to be praying too, and yet you need fellowship with
other believers to keep a good balance. God speaks to us in all these ways. I
know for a long time I carried on and whined like a 2 year old that I didn’t
hear from God - I was so focused on what I didn’t have, that I really couldn’t
see what I did have. I was at a conference in Colorado in 1985, when a young man
was going to pray for me (I had just gone through cancer surgery) and I closed
my eyes trying to be “spiritual” - you know how that is. Eyes closed, hands
folded in praying position, trying to look “holy”. Well, anyway, I heard God say
rather loudly, “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD!” Needless to say that really
shook me up! I had to look around to see who said it. I know I scared that poor
young man, because I acted so startled when I realized I was the only one that
heard the voice of God. But I simply couldn’t explain what had happened. After I
composed myself, and sat there for a moment, I felt His loving arms around me
and He told me to simply focus on Him and get my eyes of off ME! Guess what! I
realized that He spoke to me more than I knew, and in ways I never expected.
Sometimes it was just a simple thought that had such deep meaning.
When we give our hearts and lives to Jesus, He can and will use anything to talk
with us. I used to think it would always be a loud voice booming harsh
instructions and corrections, but I’ve learned He is the gentlest, most caring,
loving person I’ve ever had in my life. When He corrects, it’s not with mean,
harsh words or acts. It is that sweet Holy Spirit that convicts us, and then we
repent (seek forgiveness and turn away from sin) and He removes it as far as the
east is from the west.
As you continue to read you will see more and more how the word corrects us of
things that need to change in our lives. His forgiveness may be instant, but
sometimes it takes us a while to change our behavior. I’m just grateful I’m
washed in the blood and cleansed, and have Jesus always interceding on my
behalf.
I want you to continue to read, and start writing down those things that you
feel that He is saying just to you! As you pray, ask for wisdom and
understanding, and watch the Word become more and more alive! If you’re read the
Gospels and Psalms, start reading Proverbs, one a day, (There are 31) as a good
devotional time, and then plunge into Acts, Romans, and so on. I never seem to
find a place to stop. I encourage you to find a good Bible Study Group and grow,
grow, grow! Be Bless on your adventure! Talk to you soon!
|
