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God’s Word

Hanging On Every Word

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“And He was teaching daily in the temple; but the chief priests and the scribes and the leading men among the people were trying to destroy Him, and they could not find anything that they might do, for all the people were hanging on to every word He said.”
 Luke 19:47-48 NASB

Over the past few months, my prayer life has consisted of intense intercession for specific friends and loved ones. They’ve experienced major hardships and sufferings such as becoming a widow before the age of 50; ministry friction due to inappropriate actions; grievous marital issues; and significant health concerns. Truth be known, interceding for others can be heart-wrenching and exhausting.

God’s Word and His presence are my lifeline during such seasons. I find myself like the people in our theme verses for today – hanging on every word that Jesus says. God never fails to speak to me in my times of need. He spotlights nuggets hidden within the verses of the Bible. It’s as if every Scripture or devotional thought I read is centered on what I need for that moment, that day.

However, I wouldn’t find those nuggets if I didn’t spend time in God’s Word. For instance, what nuggets do you see in the Luke passage above? Did you notice that Jesus was teaching daily in the temple? That’s EVERY day – and the people were making time to go and listen to Him. Are you making time for Jesus day after day? Do you hang on to each word He is saying? We can never adequately know how to pray for ourselves or others if we aren’t regularly meeting with Him.

Jesus’ enemies, the ‘religious’ leaders of the day (yes, sad but true), tried to put an end to His life (vs. 47). But they couldn’t. Our enemies will try to destroy us to get at God. But they can’t. His words are inextinguishable. His words are truth. His words are powerful. His words are Life! Do you know them?

Whether you are interceding on someone’s behalf or trudging through your own tough stuff, yearn for God like the deer longs for streams of water (Psalm 42:1). Rise early in the morning to meet with your Lord like the people in Jesus’ day who hurried to the temple first thing in the morning (Luke 21:38). In the distractions of life, be like Mary – stop, sit at Jesus’ feet, and listen to Him (Luke 10:39). Hang on to His every word. He has so much to tell you.

[Digging deeper – Psalms 77:11-12, 119:131; Luke 17:21; John 8:2]

Longing for Him,

Beverly <><

 

 

Photo Credit: by Beverly Lussi

Empowered by the Word

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“For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.”
1 Thessalonians 2:13 NASB

The Bible is such an amazing life-giving book. For a Christian, learning and living out its truths is a significant spiritual discipline. However, even the most seasoned believer can at times become inattentive and uninspired while perusing the Scriptures.

Today I want to challenge you to consider the condition of your time spent in the word of God. To better gauge where you are in this discipline, ask yourself these questions:

  • Does my time in Bible reading/study look any different than it did one, ten, twenty years ago?
  • Do I understand what I’m reading?
  • Am I putting into practice what I’m learning from the Scriptures?
  • Is there an enjoyment and anticipation in reading God’s word, or boredom and apprehension?
  • Do I read the Bible daily or on a hit-and-miss routine?

Before going any further, let me encourage you to NOT fall prey to the comparison game between your reading and studying habits verses the practices of others. We are all different in how God made us and where we are in our spiritual journey.  You need to seek God for where you need to be, not where someone else may think you need to be.

Now, if you feel your time in the word of God could use some empowerment and rejuvenation, check out these suggestions as you ask Him to open your eyes to His remarkable truths.

  • Try reading from more than one translation, especially for hard to understand passages.
  • Purchase the Bible on CD for trips in the car; download Scripture on your phone and listen while walking/exercising/cleaning the house/cooking/etc.
  • Read the Scriptures aloud to keep your mind from wandering off into never-never-land.
  • Write memory verses on 3×5 cards. Place them around the house; in your purse; in your car; at work.
  • Use a devotional book to help you focus before you begin your time in the Word.
  • While at home, keep a Bible within easy reach of the kitchen or living room. Take/make time to stop and read it.
  • For easy access while on the computer, add sites like BibleGateway.com and blueletterbible.org to your favorites.
  • Right now, grab your Bible and dig deeper: Psalm 119: 11,103, 105, 147-149, 169; Luke 11:28; Acts 20:32; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 4:12.

Revived by His word,

Beverly <><

 

Photo Credit: FreeImages.com/James Lin.

 

The Empty Chair

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“When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.”

Luke 24:30–31, NIV
9326689187_83a6e4ccb9_z.jpg“Hey! That’s my chair!”

Silly as it is, I imagine at some point you’ve gotten upset when someone took your seat—or someone has gotten upset with you for taking theirs. If not, perhaps you played musical chairs as a child. How did you feel when there wasn’t a chair left for you? Did you push and shove to claim the remaining chair? Did you walk away upset because you lost the last seat?

Regardless of what we lose, we’re prone to get upset when someone takes something we believe is rightfully ours— even if there is music playing in the background.

No one likes to feel cheated, but what about when we cheat ourselves? Who do we argue with then?  Do we even know we’re cheating ourselves—or care?

The heartbreak is that we regularly cheat and steal from ourselves, but we seldom bat an eye about it. Then, to add insult to injury, we repeat the behavior.

We cheat ourselves out of quality time with those we love, fritter away hard-earned money, and squander our days. We choose the path of least resistance, make harmful food choices, and give television sitcoms priority over reading God’s Word. The Word is where I want to sit for a moment, so pull up a chair (your own, please) and let’s talk.

There are plenty of chairs at the Lord’s table. There’s one reserved for each of us, so we never have to worry about someone stealing our seat. The question is: do we want it? I ask this because there are often empty chairs at his table. Sometimes the empty chair is mine. Do you allow misplaced priorities to rob you of time in God’s presence too?

A few days after Christ’s resurrection, the Emmaus disciples failed to recognize Jesus. Not until they invited him into their house and received the Bread of Life from his nail-scarred hands did their eyes open to his identity.

Do you wonder where Jesus is in your circumstances? Wonder if he cares? If so, refuse to substitute fare from the world’s table for the Bread of Life that comes through reading God’s Word. God paid the ultimate price for our reservation at his table—the blood of his only Son, Jesus. To know that we’re cheating ourselves out of a relationship with Jesus Christ and do nothing about it is foolish.

If we could pull back the curtain of eternity and see what is to come, there would be no empty chairs at the King’s table. Push away from the world’s table and claim your seat. There’s a chair reserved for you.

Blessings,

Starr