Feeding on the Word

"When we feed on the Bible--which is still very much alive and powerful--

the voice of God simmers and stirs within us."

Chris Tiegreen, Hearing His Voice, July 16th

I like the above words. Especially "the voice of God simmers and stirs within us." Hebrews 4:12: "For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." 

Continuing from Tiegreen's devotion: 

"God breathed His words through human beings. That's what inspired means: 'breathed into,' So the Bible is a mysterious mix of the divine and human, with the divine guiding the thoughts and expressions of humans who encountered Him and spoke and wrote what they experienced and learned . . . He is working even now, causing specific messages to jump off the page into our hearts, provoking our minds to encounter truth and wrestle with it, encouraging our hearts to believe and grow, and imparting truth and wisdom into our spirits."

Letting God simmer and stir us with what we have read in His Word is a good practice to have. The word we normally hear is "meditate." The need to focus our mind on something we have heard or read.

Sometimes you can hear or read something in a different way that makes you stop and consider. That's what "simmer and stir" did for me. It brought a new light to the word "meditate."

It reminds me a little of my post last week titled "Master of Words" and how listening to words of wisdom from someone or reading words in a devotion can be God's voice answering you.

"He speaks through human mouthpieces. He fills hearts with truth. He inspires thoughts and messages and even specific words. We're fond of seeing ourselves as His hands and feet in this world, so it's only logical that we can hear ourselves and others as His voice. That voice must always be measured by His previously revealed truth, but if it's from God, it will measure up well. We can accept the proven words of His servants." Chris Tiegreen

Being a "word" person I like finding new ways to suggest doing things. Something catches my eye and it brings about a different meaning than what I would normally think. Simmer says smelling the soup cooking on top of the stove causing a deep breathe and calm feeling that all is right. Stir says having a strong feeling about something and being excited about it. God's Word can bring the feeling that all is right and being excited to read it!

Feed on your Bible and let it calm you with good thoughts. Afterall, God wrote it for you. And He knows you perfectly! Let it "simmer and stir!"

By His Grace . . .

 

 

Master of Words

Good morning to you too!

"God is the master of timely words. He knows the seating order of a group before they sit down and read. He knows years in advance which Bible passages and which devotionals will be read on a certain day, and He has a supernatural ability to coordinate them to speak directly into the events and issues of the reader's life. He knows how to direct us out of our normal patterns to listen to a message, read a passage of a book, or even overhear a casual comment that speaks profoundly into our hearts' desperate needs. He knows how to time His voice to get our attention and fit our circumstances."

Chris Tiegreen, Hearing His Voice, July 7th

How many of you are shaking your heard and saying, Yes! It is true! It has happened to me! It is amazing how at just the right moment God does something to answer your prayer in a most unusual way. 

This just happened to me last week. Once again I had been pondering a concern for a week or two as to what God wanted me to do. That morning I specifically prayed for an answer from God. After that, in my daily morning to a friend, I told her of my concern. She is one of three women who have been blessed abundantly with His wisdom. Her advice was good.

I pondered her advice the rest of the day. That evening, as I normally do, I began reading a few devotion books, not even thinking of my concern. I immediately stopped when I realized a devotion I was reading for that day provided me with the same advice I received earlier from my friend.

I continued reading in another devotion book, and I was stopped once again when the devotion for that day provided me with the same advice my friend gave and the other devotion I had read.

Times like these make me stop and thank God. It is amazing how He uses people, books, radio, studies to answer questions we have approached Him about. 

Proverbs 15:23

"A person finds joy in giving an apt reply; and how good is a timely word!"

Godsbless.ing: "This verse highlights the importance of not only choosing our words wisely but also ensuring that we speak at the right time. Our words can bring joy or sadness in our interactions with others. Therefore, it is crucial to be intentional about the words we use and the timing of our communication . . . They serve as a poignant reminder of the significance of our communication and the power it holds in shaping relationships and interactions. When we pause to consider the weight of our words and choose them wisely, we pave the way for positive outcomes and meaningful connections."

My heart has now settled. I am confidant of how God wants me to go forward. All because He knew a very long time ago that I would be asking a question at this time, asking for advice from my friend, and reading those books that evening. 

"God is the master of timely words." 

By His Grace . . . 

Readings

 A new devotion posted today on: Timely Words from Saints of Old: John Donne. You can find the blog site on the right side of this blog.

Checkout my other blog sites on the right side of this blog for new devotions to encourage and inspire your heart. Devotions to choose from: Hymn Studies with Scripture, Hymn Line Devotions, Scripture Verse Devotions and Timely Words from Saints of Old. 

Heart's Desire

I love to share this story about how God answered my prayer in a magnificent way!

Over the years I've taken many pictures of doe and fawn, but hardly any of buck. So one November I prayed a special prayer: "Lord, You've given me many opportunities to take pictures of doe and fawn, but I've got very few pictures of buck. Please give me some opportunities to take pictures of buck."

I forgot about this prayer until the next summer when eight buck came up to our back fence to eat corn that we put out. Actually, they came up every morning and every evening for three months: July, August and September! Every day! All eight buck!

That August I remembered the prayer I had prayed the November before and got goose bumps! To think, God answered my prayer by bringing these guys up to my back fence.

I had never seen more than three buck at one time. They just don't travel in big groups. So this was especially awesome to have eight buck together.  When God provides a miracle He does it BIG!

If you discern God's love in every moment of happiness, you will multiply a thousandfold your capacity to fully enjoy your blessings." Frances J. Roberts

Psalm 21:2

"You have granted him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips."

Biblerepository.com: This verse from Psalms is a powerful reminder of how God answers prayers and fulfills the desires of our hearts. When we read this verse, we can see that it speaks of a divine promise--one that God always hears us when we call out to Him. It shows us that God is not distant but is very much involved in our lives. The idea that our heart's desire can be met is comforting. It's comforting to know that God listen to us and truly wants to give us good things. When we think about the times we've prayed for things, this verse can reassure us that God is aware of our needs and desires.

Even a prayer as simple as asking to see buck . . . 

By His Grace . . . 

Let's Take a Picture!

 
A barnyard peacock!

I read these words in Valerie M. Bodden's book, "Pieces io Forever." Thought it was worth sharing.

"Children of God, How do you feel about having your picture taken? I only ask because family picture day was always my wife’s favorite day. Mine, not so much. Which is probably why I’ve put off getting them done since she went home to the Lord.

"But when my son came to me last week and said we should get some new family pictures taken, I reluctantly agreed.

"We had a great photographer, but I can tell you that there’s one thing about those pictures I’m not going to like. Wouldn’t like no matter who took them. They’re going to show this. Pastor patted his somewhat rounded middle.

"I’m hoping maybe she can do some magic with Photoshop to make me look better. Maybe give me a body-builder body.

"What about you? What do you see when you look at a picture of yourself? Do you see your wrinkles, maybe your thinning hair. Your scars?

"And those are just the physical imperfections. We can go deeper too. What about mental imperfections? Are you bad at math? A terrible speller. Not so great at geography?

"And let’s go deeper still. How about the spiritual imperfections? Is all you see when you look at yourself your sins? All the times you’ve done what you know is wrong? The times you’ve failed to do what was right?

"Makes a pretty ugly pictures, doesn’t it?

"You ever wonder why God chose you? I mean, surely there are people out there who are prettier, smarter, kinder, than you, right?

"I mean, He’s God. He could have anyone He wants. So why would he pursue you? Why would He want me, with all my faults and failures, my flabby abs and bald head and terrible spelling and filthy sins?

"Oh beloved. Don’t you see? God doesn’t love you in spite of all of those things. He loves you because he has erased all of those things. He didn’t just go in with Photoshop and touch you up a little here and a little there. No, He changed your whole picture with the blood of Jesus. He has erased every last trace of sin, every last imperfection, and He has made you perfect in Him.

"The next time you look at a picture of yourself, do me a favor and see it as God does—an image of His masterpiece, redeemed from sin, created to love and serve Him. ‘Like clay in the hand of the potter, so you are in My hand,’ God says. Remember that. Amen."

 By His Grace . . .

Readings

A new devotion posted today on: Timely Words from Saints of Old: Warren Wiersbe. You can find the blog site on the right side of this blog.

Checkout my other blog sites on the right side of this blog for new devotions to encourage and inspire your heart. Devotions to choose from: Hymn Studies with Scripture, Hymn Line Devotions, Scripture Verse Devotions and Timely Words from Saints of Old. 

Is Your Heart for Him?

 

I've always loved the story in 2 Chronicles 20 about King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Especially where it is written: "stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you." Five places in this chapter it is written: "stand in your presence . . . stood there before the Lord . . . stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you . . . stood up and praised the Lord."

But this weekend I listened to a sermon that included chapter 19 of 2 Chronicles that made me pause. Verse three, of chapter 19 says: "There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God."

Jehoshaphat had made a bad choice and the Lord was going to punish him. But God knew Jehoshaphat had a good heart and had done good in other matters. So He withheld judgment.

That is our God. He doesn't want to punish us unless we need to be punished. God looked at Jehoshaphat's heart and knew he loved God and had done good. So God relented on punishing him.

God does that for us too. We are all going to make mistakes and make wrong choices. It's our human nature. We will sin. But God takes everything into account when He decides our punishment. Just like He did with Jehoshaphat. "God does not treat us as our sins deserve, but takes note of a heart for Him." Gary Hamrick

Does God know your heart? Can He see that you are a faithful child? Or are you hiding your heart because you know it is not faithful? 

Another word Hamrick said that I like is "soul fattening." In regards to when we pray and fast, doing those disciplines, our soul is "fattened" with more of God to help us rest in Him during tough times.

If you've never read about King Jehoshaphat in Chapter 20 of 2 Chronicles, take a moment to see what he did and what God did. The Lord gave them victory and caused them to rejoice over their enemies. I think you'll be doing a lot more standing when you do!

By His Grace . . .