God Speaks!

 

I am a huge advocate that the Bible is a living and breathing document that speaks to us. Don’t misunderstand me. The Bible was written in a specific context and it is important to understand the meaning of scripture within that context. The words written have a certain meaning. We just can’t read it and make it say something that is not there. Loose interpretations of scripture are dangerous. BUT, I also believe that scripture can speak to us in a powerful way. That is what I do when I write this blog. I read a passage of scripture and then through prayer, I wait for God to speak. If you have read this blog for any period of time, you will know some of my thoughts come from what seems like left field. I always weigh those thoughts with scripture in a broad sense to make sure it aligns with the Gospel message. Today my thoughts come from reading James 1.

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” (James 1:22-25)

I cannot dictate how God speaks to you through his word. The Holy Spirit is active when we read the Words of scripture. We can test it for truth by running the words you are hearing through the filter of the rest of scripture. We can pray over those thoughts and how you believe God wants you to apply it. It is going to look different for each of us.

A sincere heart and a desire to draw closer to the Lord will help us get a clearer picture presented in scripture. Even at 64 years old, years of reading scripture and earning a masters degree in Biblical Studies, I am still growing in my knowledge and understanding of Scripture. It does not take a seminary degree to let the word speak to you. It does not take any special training to let these powerful words transform us into the person God wants us to be. The only training we need is training our heart, mind, and soul to EXPECT God to speak to us. Then, like the scripture tells us, we need to take what is there and apply it to our lives, today, 2000 years after they were written.  When you are reading with great anticipation and a heart to serve the Lord it really makes your study time exciting and unpredictable. 

Please Lord, continue to prepare me for your voice. Like Samuel, “Speak, your servant is listening!”