Category Archives: seeking understanding

Every word which God hath spoken to his people by way of promise is as true today as when it was first uttered by the prophet… if this world should exist through tens of thousands of years, every promise will still have … it’s youth about it. No promise will grow stale; no word of God will cease to be of effect. It may have been fulfilled ten thousand times ten thousand times, but it will be fulfilled still. – Spurgeon 

“A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:6-8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/isa.40.6-8.esv

I just got an email from a fellow disciple who talked about wanting a greater thirst for the word! A great prayer indeed.

I was stunned by the simplicity and yet complexity of this thought.

Simple because it is so easy to drink from the deep well of Scripture. The Bible, when “rightly   read” (Spurgeon) fills and empowers us, as long as we drink it deeply, rather than sipping it. 

But this is where the complexity comes in. Our time decisions get in the way. Our feelings get in the way. Our preference to read man’s words about God rather than God’s own words gives up sips. I’d guess Oswald Chambers would be horrified if you told him you choose his great work daily over sitting and soaking up the Bible.

“A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.
Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭29:7, 11, 14, 18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”

‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/2th.3.5.esv

http://bible.com/59/pro.29.7,11,14,18.esv

Remember ‘BFF’? Is that, as they say, still a thing?

Thinking about friendship in Augustine and Lewis lately, these words struck me this morning…

“No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” ‭‭John‬ ‭15:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Considering all He has done, is doing and will do for me, He is, no doubt, the best friend I could ever imagine.

But when we’re out of touch with someone for a while our connection can wither. In our relationship with our Lord, let’s be diligent to maintain our connection. He said “abide in me.”

Open the Scriptures, pray, abide.

Drink in the nourishment of The Vine.

Daily.

You’re gonna eat aren’t you? Then take spiritual nourishment as well! Nourish your friendship with Jesus.

…generally lasts no longer than the banner announcing them.

We live in a very distracting time. Paul did too.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/col.3.1-2.esv

Consider this challenge: begin your day with at least 3 chapters of Scripture each morning.  Try three chapters a day from this plan: http://bible.com/r/P

(I go through this once a year to supplement the McCheyne plan.) The Essential 100 gives a great reminder of God’s faithfulness to us. 

If you’re struggling to “get something” from your reading, try reading more. The longer time in God’s word will give your heart and mind a chance to shift from this world to Him. In my life, I’ve experienced that it happens when we read more. Then our prayer becomes more meaningful as our heart and mind are tuned in. One more thought, if you use the ESV, or a translation that has audio, listen as you read. By listening and reading, I’ve seen things following someone else’s speed and cadence that I would have missed. 

And remember you only need to do this on the days you plan to breathe.