This morning I was reminded that studying God's word is critical for my life and my relationship with Christ. This should be a no brainer - right! Too often we as believers pick up a book to read that is about God or about how to study God's word. I believe we ought to read books. I believe we can use books or Bible study books to grow in our faith. But far more than that, we have to, we must, read God's word for ourselves.
How do you study God's word? Let me encourage you to begin with a purpose - a purpose of striving to know God more and for your faith to expand. You can follow a reading plan such as http://www.ewordtoday.com/ - you can choose which version of the Bible to read from and how you want to read, for example from beginning to end, chronological, or historical to name a few. You can start by reading a book of the Bible - if you are a new believer I would suggest beginning with John. Each day when you begin to read, pray and ask God to open your eyes to see something new and fresh from His word. Ask Him to give you a clear understanding of what He wants you to learn from that day's reading. Be willing to move slowly through the passage you are reading, look at the cross-references listed for the verses you are reading, and write down what you are learning.
A simple reminder - God wants us to know Him more. He wants us to grow in a relationship with Him. We can accomplish God's desires by being in His word; studying, praying, and learning. We can read other peoples writings, but first, it is critical that we read God's writings to us!
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Friday, July 12, 2013
Crisis of Belief - Faith and Action
So many times, in today's world, we do not believe that God speaks. We don't hear an audible voice. We don't see Him in person. But, we do know from His word that He speaks. Henry Blackaby reminds us, in his study Experiencing God, that God speaks to us through prayer, His word, through activity of God in circumstances, and through the body of Christ - other Christians. Are you listening daily to hearing God speak?
Inevitably when God speaks we are going to face a crisis of belief. We are going to have to make a decision about what we truly believe about God. Are we going to follow His leading because we know He has the best plan or are we going to go on our own plan. My actions, after I hear from God, truly reveal what I believe about God. Is my faith truly lived out in my actions?
Just this week I have had a dear friend/family give birth to a beautiful baby girl. This family was told early on in the pregnancy that their little girl was going to have extreme difficulties including being paralyzed, possibly no brain function, and inability to breathe on her own to name a few. The parents were encouraged from the medical professionals to terminate the pregnancy. The family stood firm on God's plan being best. The mom carried the little girl to almost 39 weeks, which was far longer than the doctors predicted. The little girl was born and shortly after her birth let out a very loud scream, breathing on her own, sucking a pacifier, pulling her legs up underneath her, moving her arms around, and responding to touch. Yes, this little girl and her family will undergo tests, and surgeries, but she is a miracle of God.
The family I mention above had a crisis of belief many, many weeks ago. They knew they were pregnant and expecting a little girl. They knew that this little girl was a gift from God. They knew that God had a plan for them and for her, even though they didn't understand all that was happening. The family's response to the crisis of belief - their faith grew! Their faith was and is a testimony to all that God can and will do. They put their faith into action. The family openly shared their struggles, gave witness to God's peace when there was turmoil, praised God for allowing the mom to carry the baby for 39 weeks, and they have shared all of God's goodness to anyone that is in earshot.
How would I handle a situation like the one above? My hope is that I would respond similarly. I absolutely believe we hear God speak. My desire is to respond with putting my faith in action and following what God tells me. My prayer is that my faith will grow so much that I don't miss God speaking. How will you respond when you face a crisis of belief?
(check out Henry Blackaby's Part 5 Crisis of Belief http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggcAY6p0Y2k)
Inevitably when God speaks we are going to face a crisis of belief. We are going to have to make a decision about what we truly believe about God. Are we going to follow His leading because we know He has the best plan or are we going to go on our own plan. My actions, after I hear from God, truly reveal what I believe about God. Is my faith truly lived out in my actions?
Just this week I have had a dear friend/family give birth to a beautiful baby girl. This family was told early on in the pregnancy that their little girl was going to have extreme difficulties including being paralyzed, possibly no brain function, and inability to breathe on her own to name a few. The parents were encouraged from the medical professionals to terminate the pregnancy. The family stood firm on God's plan being best. The mom carried the little girl to almost 39 weeks, which was far longer than the doctors predicted. The little girl was born and shortly after her birth let out a very loud scream, breathing on her own, sucking a pacifier, pulling her legs up underneath her, moving her arms around, and responding to touch. Yes, this little girl and her family will undergo tests, and surgeries, but she is a miracle of God.
The family I mention above had a crisis of belief many, many weeks ago. They knew they were pregnant and expecting a little girl. They knew that this little girl was a gift from God. They knew that God had a plan for them and for her, even though they didn't understand all that was happening. The family's response to the crisis of belief - their faith grew! Their faith was and is a testimony to all that God can and will do. They put their faith into action. The family openly shared their struggles, gave witness to God's peace when there was turmoil, praised God for allowing the mom to carry the baby for 39 weeks, and they have shared all of God's goodness to anyone that is in earshot.
How would I handle a situation like the one above? My hope is that I would respond similarly. I absolutely believe we hear God speak. My desire is to respond with putting my faith in action and following what God tells me. My prayer is that my faith will grow so much that I don't miss God speaking. How will you respond when you face a crisis of belief?
(check out Henry Blackaby's Part 5 Crisis of Belief http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggcAY6p0Y2k)
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