1Kings 20:35-37 NLT
Meanwhile, the Lord instructed one of the group of prophets to say to another man, “Hit me!” But the man refused to hit the prophet. Then the prophet told him, “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the Lord, a lion will kill you as soon as you leave me.” And when he had gone, a lion did attack and kill him.
When God speaks, listen.
There are lions.
#thatisall
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
One night at Prayer Meeting
I read a lot. I can appreciate a good book that takes me away from the constants of everyday life. I love to read for many reasons and it’s hard for me to specify a preferred genre. If someone tells me a book is really good, chances are I will at least attempt to read it.
The Bible is not a book.
Last night at prayer meeting, the Lord gave me a glimpse of something that for me was profound.
The Bible is not a book.
When I read books, I am reading about a person “over there”. Someone else’s life. I am learning about someone else’s experiences, how they handle their conflict, how they resolve it. I am only related to that person for a time during which I am allowed a sneak peek into their lives. We don’t know each other. We won’t engage with each other after the last page of the book. I may become attached to a character while I am reading the book, I might consider how I would solve a problem compared to how they did, I may even desire a life like theirs for a time. ..but when the book is over, it’s over.
The Bible is not a book.
I realized last night that the Jesus of the fish, the Jesus of the boat and the Jesus who freed the demon possessed man (John 6:5-20), are all mine. He is not just a character to be read about in a book, to be enjoyed for a time. He is the true, living God. He is a TODAY God. He is RIGHT NOW. The Bible is not a history book. It is life, it is NOW.
I am humbled that the God Who created the stars and put them in the sky knows who I am. He knows my thoughts before I think them, has the solution for my problems before I utter a prayer, He knows me through and through. But He doesn’t stop at simply “knowing” me. He speaks to me! He protects, directs, guides, comforts, defends, prays for, sings over, thinks about, covers, helps, provides for, heals, saves and loves ME! His love is active. He is doing all of this. Right now. Today.
The creator of the universe, of all things I know and see, of every good thing, has taken “time” to create a purpose and a plan for my life. MY life. Specifically. Mine. From beginning to end, He thought of me enough to create a plan…and it’s not a “I created that plan and now I am done” type of plan. My bible says “For I know the plans I HAVE for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV emphasis mine). That speaks of a current plan. While my life may change and my perspective may be different from time to time, the Lords plan to prosper me remain. But wait…don’t miss this…the creator of the universe created a plan for MY life (and YOURS!)
Selah (pause and calmly think of that).
The One Who parted the waters listens to me when I speak. When I pray, He listens. Wait…He doesn’t just listen, He acts on my behalf. He responds. That I can utter a word and not be struck down is amazing but the fact that He RESPONDS to something I say? That He DOES in response to my feeble words? Amazing.
The bible is truth. It is life. It is now. The awesomeness of that is too overwhelming for me to comprehend. The God we read about knows and loves us. Today, right now, He is loving you because His love doesn’t sit still. While our lives feel like chapters sometimes, this Truth goes on and on for eternity. There’s no book to close…
Amen.
I love you Lord
and I lift my voice
to worship you, oh my soul…rejoice
Take heart my King
in what You hear
let it be a sweet, sweet sound
in Your ear
Psalm 35:9 (Scriptural reference)
The Bible is not a book.
Last night at prayer meeting, the Lord gave me a glimpse of something that for me was profound.
The Bible is not a book.
When I read books, I am reading about a person “over there”. Someone else’s life. I am learning about someone else’s experiences, how they handle their conflict, how they resolve it. I am only related to that person for a time during which I am allowed a sneak peek into their lives. We don’t know each other. We won’t engage with each other after the last page of the book. I may become attached to a character while I am reading the book, I might consider how I would solve a problem compared to how they did, I may even desire a life like theirs for a time. ..but when the book is over, it’s over.
The Bible is not a book.
I realized last night that the Jesus of the fish, the Jesus of the boat and the Jesus who freed the demon possessed man (John 6:5-20), are all mine. He is not just a character to be read about in a book, to be enjoyed for a time. He is the true, living God. He is a TODAY God. He is RIGHT NOW. The Bible is not a history book. It is life, it is NOW.
I am humbled that the God Who created the stars and put them in the sky knows who I am. He knows my thoughts before I think them, has the solution for my problems before I utter a prayer, He knows me through and through. But He doesn’t stop at simply “knowing” me. He speaks to me! He protects, directs, guides, comforts, defends, prays for, sings over, thinks about, covers, helps, provides for, heals, saves and loves ME! His love is active. He is doing all of this. Right now. Today.
The creator of the universe, of all things I know and see, of every good thing, has taken “time” to create a purpose and a plan for my life. MY life. Specifically. Mine. From beginning to end, He thought of me enough to create a plan…and it’s not a “I created that plan and now I am done” type of plan. My bible says “For I know the plans I HAVE for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV emphasis mine). That speaks of a current plan. While my life may change and my perspective may be different from time to time, the Lords plan to prosper me remain. But wait…don’t miss this…the creator of the universe created a plan for MY life (and YOURS!)
Selah (pause and calmly think of that).
The One Who parted the waters listens to me when I speak. When I pray, He listens. Wait…He doesn’t just listen, He acts on my behalf. He responds. That I can utter a word and not be struck down is amazing but the fact that He RESPONDS to something I say? That He DOES in response to my feeble words? Amazing.
The bible is truth. It is life. It is now. The awesomeness of that is too overwhelming for me to comprehend. The God we read about knows and loves us. Today, right now, He is loving you because His love doesn’t sit still. While our lives feel like chapters sometimes, this Truth goes on and on for eternity. There’s no book to close…
Amen.
I love you Lord
and I lift my voice
to worship you, oh my soul…rejoice
Take heart my King
in what You hear
let it be a sweet, sweet sound
in Your ear
Psalm 35:9 (Scriptural reference)
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