Whose "word" are you listening to?
"The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to bring men to an intimate and satisfying knowledge of God, that they may enter into Him, that they may delight in His presence, may taste and know the inner sweetness of the very God Himself in the
core and center of their being, their spirit."
-A.W. Tower
Three years ago I read through the bible for the first time in my life. I decided to use a bible reading plan so there was some variety rather than reading cover to cover. I found myself filled with angst when I got off track and had to "catch" up. My faithfully calm husband reminded me, "It's not about getting the reading done on a certain day. It's about being in scripture daily and allowing God to fill you."
The next year I decided (without much prayer) that I would study certain books of the bible. I found myself floundering and surprisingly dealing with much anxiety and resentment towards my husbands doctoral program.
This past year of 2015 I actually prayed about what God would have for me that year and truly felt and saw the need for daily scripture in my life. Even if I have a morning where sleep has over come my body and I am not quite alert there is something about having that God breathed scripture enter your mind.
The discipline of reading God's word daily has truly changed my life. I am learning more than ever that my spiritual life is not just between God and me but it has dimensions that overflow for generations to come. God is bringing me to a new level of intimacy with him that, yes, is just between my heavenly Father and me but overflows into every crevice, relationship, and circumstance of my life.
I keep a copy of "John Wesley's Self-Examination Questions" in my bible. One of the questions asks this, "Did the Bible live in me today?"
While I still long to learn details of many of the bible stories I can sense that not only is the Bible, or God's word, living in me but God is alive in me. My heart is overflowing with His love and joy.
More recently God has burdened my heart for the many in this world who are living with strongholds and burdens that are crushing them down each day. The people that are floundering, are lost, and are searching. You see, I was once there. In fact I am still there at times and yet I have found the deepest soul satisfaction of my life. Jesus Christ and His living word. I long for these individuals, created by God, to put to rest their searching and experience this deep satisfaction in Jesus Christ.
We live in a fast paced society filled with wants, desires, direction, lack of direction, and worst of all the "grass is greener on the other side" syndrome. What are you filling yourself with - God's word or the "words" of our society?
Is God's word living in you today? If not, all it takes is that desire and asking God to help guide you in this discipline of reading His word daily. Not out of a sense of "daily obligation" but a sense of desiring God to fill you, move you, and guide you. He will be faithful to work in your life so you may taste and know the sweetness of God!
Link to the scripture guide I use:
Link to John Wesley's Self Examination Questions:
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