"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you."
James 4:8
"All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching,
for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness."
2 Tim 3:16
In yesterday's post, I presented a way of reading scripture and praying that I recommend for anyone who struggles with how to apply the bible to their every day life. I aimed the post at new believers and not yet believers, but I also know many of us who have known Jesus for years struggle with the same issues.
Please understand that I know it is easy to be confused and discouraged with anything new. Learning how to read and apply the bible is not something that just comes naturally. It is a new task or discipline that we must learn through focused practice. I want to offer one means of gaining this focused practice!
Please also understand that there is much in the bible that can be confusing. Here is some examples of basic but almost universal questions that arise when someone begins reading the bible. Why does God kill all those people in the OT? Why does Jesus make the Christian life so hard in the Sermon on the Mount? Why are some books of the bible so hard to understand? Rest assured that there are good solid answers to each question! The key is to seek out the answers while learning how to walk with God in grace and mercy. Do not give up as many do!
No matter what others may do, each of us are responsible and called to develop a relationship with the Living God. Sometimes, I do wish others could do it for me. I must also confess that sometimes I do not wish or desire such a relationship. When I am tired, weary, or sick, I often find my desire for God is low. In fact, there have been seasons of life where I lacked an intensity for God's presence. All of us will go through such times. When this occurs, repent and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into God's presence. Remember that the promise of scripture still stands: "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." James 4:8 The key is understanding how to draw near to the living God!
As I presented yesterday, this is where scripture and prayer draw us close to the Living God. First and foremost, you might need to change the way you read the bible. It is not a novel, but the active and living Word of God. Read it reflectively, with an open heart and mind. I also encourage you to read it while praying for wisdom and for God to give guidance (Pro 2:1-6 gives a good model).
In addition to the gospels, I also encourage folks to read in the Psalms and Proverbs. The Psalms are located right in the middle of the modern bible. These 150 Psalms are the OT prayer book. They are model prayers, and they are great for focusing my thoughts and prayers toward God and toward gaining His perspective. Prayerfully reading one or two a day will be plenty! When you get to Psalm 119, it might even take three or four days! (Ps. 119 has 176 verses!)
For over 20 years, I have also read a chapter in Proverbs each day. There are 31 chapters, so one per day for a month works out great. These Proverbs never grow old! I find and have found much practical wisdom in their pithy statements of general truth.
Let me give an example of how to use the Proverbs to listen to God. Several times in my life, as I read through Proverbs one verse at the end of chapter 21 has jumped off the page as I read it.
"The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord."
In prayer, I have asked the Lord, what does this mean? I remember one time, the Lord poured such encouragement into my heart and life. He affirmed that the difficulties I was going through was part of the "making ready for battle." He encouraged me that ultimately He would give the victory.
Just this past December, the same verse gave me a different encouragement. As I was reading the chapter, not too carefully I might add, again this verse jumped off the page. I was reminded of the busyness of the fall season. There have been many trips to complete, pages to write, sermons to prepare, and decisions to make. Overall, I was not been stressed or overloaded. I was thankful for each opportunity that the Lord presented. I believe the Lord used me in building His kingdom as I interacted with many different folks.
So, what did I learn as the Lord brought this to mind? First, He has prepared me, like a well-armored war horse for writing and the ministry. I praise Him for this! Yet, completion of writing and ministry always will be by His blessings, not my supposedly great preparation or abilities. In fact, without His help, I can assure you nothing in ministry would succeed. I cannot labor in such a way that I see lives ultimately changed. My victory rests with the Lord.
I have learned this lesson many times, but I have to keep learning it. I am forgetful. I am drawn to repentance for the times I have walked in my strength instead of the Lord's. I look to Jesus for mercy and grace. I believe my victory and rest comes by walking with Him. He gives me grace! As it overflows, I am transformed so I can offer that grace to others.
Friends, our success in life or in coping with difficulties rests not in our strength- not even our "spiritual" strength and knowledge. It rests in Jesus working in and through us, by His grace, to equip us, strengthen us, and empower us to be His witnesses in the world. His power and grace comes as we repent of our self-effort and ask Him to work in and through us for His glory.
Second, I was challenged to remember that a grace-filled life must be a God-centered life. It is not about me nor what I can do. It is about the Lord and His grace working through a cracked and frail earthen pot! May He receive the glory.
In encourage you to start the practice today of reflectively reading and praying through scripture!
"All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable
for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness."
2 Tim 3:16
Sometimes we just need a guide to help us start understanding how all of scripture fits together! You mostly likely cannot go wrong if you read through the very practical OT wisdom literature and the gospels!
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