Greetings to you in the Name that is the Word of God in flesh, Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! Another “given day” in the Kingdom and we give thanks! I trust that you are making the most of these days…without the hindrance of weather and bad driving conditions. Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to fill you with gifts of “advent” – hope, faith, joy, love!
I am being taught by God’s unique methodology about the value of and the transformative power of the Bible. It seems that there is a new hunger for the Bible…but not simply reading and being inspired. More and more I am hearing people relate experiences of God interacting with them as they read the words. It is as if – God was talking to them about how the written words they were reading at that moment were carrying a deeper, personal message for them. For example, many of you know the gist of Matthew 11:28-30…Come unto me all you who are heavy-laden and I will give you rest… – well one dear saint was reading that recently when she sensed God speaking to her, saying ” ________ why don’t you simply come to me. You are doing good things…praying, reading the Bible, doing good to others, going to church – and I am well-pleased with that…but if you would just rest for a time with me and open yourself to me – I would give you rest like you have never experienced before!”
Now, be honest, can you imagine God speaking to you personally…by name…addressing issues in your life…answering your questions … asking a few new ones … giving direction and comfort and practical advice? Well, let me assure you, it is happening in the lives of ordinary people who will simply take time to be “with God.” As I continue to ponder that, I am reminded (you were expecting this) of lines from a couple of hymns/songs: “Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord-Abide in him always, and feed on his word…Take time to be holy, the world rushes on-Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone…” and “Break thou the bread of life, O Lord to me-As thou didst break the loaves beside the sea-Beyond the sacred page I seek thee, Lord-My spirit pants for thee, O living Word!” It seems to me that people of past generations knew something we have forgotten…and yet we are readying ourselves for it to happen again…and yet haven’t really experienced it first-hand.
We are going to celebrate Christmas and we are going to be reminded of the “Incarnation” – Immanuel, God with us–the “Word” made flesh and dwelling with us…and many of us haven’t experienced the intimate interaction with the Word that was made available to us…for a long time. After all, as the song says: It isn’t Christmas without Christ…(Kutless). Maybe, before things get too busy and you side-tracked … you could find a few minutes and sit with you Bible, read a few of your favourite verses, sit quietly and simply ask God to interact with you — tell him that you desire to experience the One who lives beyond the words you just read. Don’t be surprised if you have a fresh experience of the Word made flesh…and when you do: “tell someone!”