How to make the Word come Alive within you

Reblogged from nonelikejesus.tumblr.com

Have you ever read a portion of Scripture – perhaps even several pages or chapters – only to realize that you have no idea what you just read? Your eyes may be reading words but your mind is thinking about the phone call you just received or your day’s schedule. If you wish to know God, you must know His Word, advised C. H. Spurgeon.

How to make the Word come alive within you:

• Write out portions of the Word. Do you remember in elementary school when the teacher would instruct the class to copy a list from the blackboard? The teacher knew you were more likely to grasp and remember the concepts if you copied the words. God knew how prone His people were to forget what He had told them. Over and over, He challenged them to remember Him, to remember His law, to remember what He had done for them. Taking time to write out specific passages from the Word forces you to think about what you are reading and to observe the details of the text more carefully. You could begin by writing out paragraphs of scriptures on index cards, then meditating on or memorizing those passages.
• Write in your Bible. Underline verses you find particularly meaningful to you. In time your Bible will tell a story of your personal journey of faith during a specific period of time. Circle repeated words or phrases. Write cross references in the margin as well as noting the meaning of specific words or phrases.
• Record insights. When John was in exile, he was given a vision of heaven. The Lord appeared to him and said, Write on a scroll what you see…Write, therefore, what you have seen (Rev. 1:11,19). Likewise, you can write what you have seen in scripture. Use journals to record your observations and insights that the Holy Spirit has shown you while reading and meditating on the Word. Each time you write, record the date and passage you are reading.
• Record your responses. Ask yourself, What should I do? God told Ezekiel that the problem with His people was that They sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice (Ex. 33:31). How does this truth apply to my life? What changes need to be made in my life?
• Record milestones in your spiritual pilgrimage. When the Israelites were attacked by the Amalekites, God used the occasion to teach the eager Joshua to rely, not on his natural strength or ability, but on the power of God revealed each time Moses raised his arms. Not wanting Joshua ever to forget that the Amalekites were his eternal enemies and that He alone had the power to overcome them, the Lord said to Moses,Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered (Ex. 17:14). This is perhaps the first Biblical illustration of what we call journaling. When you have spiritual achievements (understanding the death of a loved one, coming to terms with your frailties, learning about obedience), write them down as a reminder of the providence of God.

*from Crosswalk.com

pause ||

I just loved yesterday’s reading. (I’m a day behind).

Here is an excerpt.

My Utmost for His Highest
By Oswald Chambers

//
As long as you maintain your own personal interests and ambitions, you cannot be complety aligned or identified with God’s interests. This can only be accomplished by giving up all your personal plans once and for all, and by allowing God to take you directly into His purpose for the world. Your understanding of your ways must also be surrendered, because they are now the ways of the Lord.

I must learn that the purpose of my life belongs to God, not me.

God is using me from His great personal perspective, and all He asks of me is that I trust Him.

When I stop telling God what I want, He can freely work His will in me without any hindrance. He can crush me, exalt me, or do anything else He chooses. He simply asks me to have absolute faith in Him and His goodness.

//
Hopefully I’ll be back to posting this long weekend, our internet has been down. I caught up on facebook stuff that I had missed before I went to bed last night. I had missed the internet. Sad but true. lol. I am excited about the rest of this weekend. And I have lots to write and reflect on. <3
lorijo

November Blog Fest

He’s been there

How Christ’s Humanity can encourage us
Hebrews 2:14-18; 4:14-16

How many different challenging life experiences can you think of that Jesus participated in, and therefore can encourage us in? Is there anything practical that we can do to receive this encouragement into our lives?

The Gospels tell us of the ways that Jesus was tempted. Here are two ways that Jesus was tempted by the devil.

1. Hunger — Jesus’ response was
   “Man does not live by bread alone.” Luke 4:4
2. Idolatry — His response to the devil was
   “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” Luke 4:8

We can follow Christ’s example of how to resist temptation by prayer. He mentions this more than once, first in the Lord’s prayer “And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:13) and at Gethsemane in Luke 22:46 when he tellls the disciples to “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

We can also be encouraged by knowing that we will never be tempted more than we can bear:
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

These two Hebrew passages are encouraging passages for us. We can be encouraged because Jesus has experienced temptation, the same or similar temptations that all of us have, and is understanding when we come to him for help. This passage not only encourages us in knowing that Jesus understands us, but that we should be encouraged to go to him for help as the verse in Hebrews 4:16 indicates that we can do so with confidence.

“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that but his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death–that is, the devil–and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abrahams descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:14-18.

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16.

Be encouraged, He’s been there too.

~Lori Jo

{This is a vintage post}

Sit still

This is my theme right now. Such an unpopular concept these days, to wait on the Lord, rest in His arms, in His lap, and not move until he tells me to move. This is me, this is where I am right now.

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!
Nor deem these days—these waiting days—as ill!
The One who loves thee best, who plans thy way,
Hath not forgotten thy great need today!
And, if He waits, ‘tis sure He waits to prove
To thee, His tender child, His heart’s deep love.

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!
Thou longest much to know thy dear Lord’s will!
While anxious thoughts would almost steal their way
Corrodingly within, because of His delay
Persuade thyself in simple faith to rest
That He, who knows and loves, will do the best.

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!
Nor move one step, not even one, until
His way hath opened. Then, ah then, how sweet!
How glad thy heart, and then how swift thy feet
Thy inner being then, ah then, how strong!
And waiting days not counted then too long.

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!
What higher service could’st thou for Him fill?
‘Tis hard! ah yes! But choicest things must cost!
For lack of losing all how much is lost!
‘Tis hard, ‘tis true! But then—He giveth grace
To count the hardest spot the sweetest place.

—J. D. Smith

UNDER THE SAME YOKE

This brought great encouragement to me yesterday. It is the balance of Jesus as my yoke-mate that I desire. I am learning everyday what it means to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, responding and listening in obedience so that His voice becomes loud and strong in my heart and mind. I am prone to wander, taking charge of my own way, laziness and waiting, fear and doubt, and inaction. I desire for a greater balance, walking in step behind the Master, following every way He leads, and going wherever he takes me.

UNDER THE SAME YOKE

(Taken from Neil Anderson’s Daily in Christ)

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light

Matthew 11:28-30 contains a beautiful description of the purpose and pace of the Spirit-filled walk. Jesus invites you to a restful walk in tandem with Him, just as two oxen walk together under the same yoke. “How can a yoke be restful?” you ask. Because Jesus’ yoke is an easy yoke. As the lead ox, Jesus walks at a steady pace. If you pace yourself with Him, your burden will be easy. But if you take a passive approach to the relationship, you’ll be painfully dragged along in the yoke because Jesus keeps walking. Or if you try to race ahead or turn off in another direction, the yoke will chafe your neck and your life will be uncomfortable. The key to a restful yoke-relationship with Jesus is to learn from Him and open yourself to His gentleness and humility.

The picture of walking in the Spirit in tandem with Jesus also helps us understand our service to God. How much will you get done without Jesus pulling on His side of the yoke? Nothing. And how much will be accomplished without you on your side? Nothing. A yoke can only work if both are pulling together.

Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6). You and I have the privilege to plant and water, but if God isn’t in it, nothing will grow. However, if we don’t plant and water, nothing will grow. God has chosen to work through the church, in partnership with you, to do His work in the world today. He’s the lead ox. Let’s learn from Him.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I want You to be my yoke-mate today. Keep me from going ahead or lagging behind. I want to walk step-by-step with You.

Nearness – CS Lewis Quote

excerpt from The Four Loves

We must distinguish two things which might both possibly be called “nearness to God.” One is likeness to God. God has impressed some sort of likeness to Himself, I suppose, in all that He has made. Space and time, in their own fashion, mirror His greatness; all life, His fecundity; animal life, His activity. Man has a more important likeness than these by being rational.   Angels, we believe have likenesses which Man lacks: immortality and intuitive knowledge. In that way all men, whether good or bad, all angels including those that fell, are more like God than the animals are. Their natures are in this sense “nearer” to the Divine Nature.  But, secondly, there is what we may call nearness of approach.  If this is what we mean, the states in which a man is “nearest” to God are those in which he is most surely and swiftly approaching his final union with God, vision of God and enjoyment of God. And as soon as we distinguish nearness-by-likeness and nearness-of-approach, we see that they do not necessarily coincide. They may or may not.

Perhaps an analogy may help.  Let us suppose that we are doing a mountain walk to the village which is our home. At mid-day we come to the top of a cliff where we are, in space, very near it because it is just below us. We could drop a stone into it.  But as we are no cragsmen we can’t get down. We must go a long way round; five miles, maybe. At many points during that detour we shall, statically, be farther from the village than we were when we sat above the cliff. But only statically. IN terms of progress we shall be far “nearer” our baths and teas.

Since God is blessed, omnipotent, sovereign and creative, there is obviously a sense in which happiness, strength, freedom and fertility (whether of mind or body), wherever they appear in human life, constitute likenesses, and in that way promiximities, to God.  But no one supposes that the possession of these gifts has any necessary connection with our sanctification. No kind riches is a passport to the Kingdom of Heaven.

At the cliff’s top we are near the village, but however long we sit there we shall never be any nearer to our bath and our tea. So here; the likeness, and in that sense, nearness, to Himself which God has conferred upon certain creatures and certain states of those creatures is something finished, built in. What is near Him by likeness is never, by that fact alone, going to be any nearer. But nearness of approach is, by definition, increasing nearness. And whereas the likeness is given to us – and can be received with or without thanks, can be used or abused – the approach, however initiated and supported by Grace, is something we must do. Creatures are made in their varying  ways images of God without their own collaboration or even consent. It is not so that they become sons of God. And the likeness they receive by sonship is not that of images or portraits.  It is in one way more than likeness, for it is union or unity with God in will; but this is consistent with all the differences we have been considering. Hence, as a better writer has said, our imitation of God in this life–that is, our willed imitation as distinct from any of the likenesses which He has impressed upon our nature or states — must be an imitation of God incarnate: our model is the Jesus, not only of Calvary, but of the workshop, the roads, the crowds, the clamorous demands and surly oppositions, the lack of all peace and privacy, the interruptions. For this, so strangely unlike anything we can attribute to the Divine life in itself, is apparently not only like, but is, the Divine life operating under human conditions.

A prayer

My awesome friend Rose and I have been sharing links back and forth this week and she sent this link to a site called Internet Cafe Devotions and as I read just a couple of them I knew I needed them.  I posted this prayer on my FB wall and have been re-reading it daily, or more than daily just finding it a prayer I need to pray right now.

Lord Jesus, I have a hard time waiting on your answers. Help me to be patient and wait for Your will to be done. I trust that you know my situations and trust that You will give me the strength to wait for Your perfect will to be done.

Lord I reject ways that are not your ways and pray that you help me to stand with my back to the world, my face turned towards You only. I give thanks for the answer that You will give me,

I give thanks for Your perfect will and pray for strength to accept the answer You will provide for all difficult situations in my life – for all prayers prayed – even if the answer doesn’t suit what I thought I wanted the answer to be. Lord I ask for You to remove “me” from “me” and replace “me” with YOU. I pray for there to be less of me and more of You – every day. It is in Your name, Jesus, we pray and give thanks, Amen

Check out the devotion, it’s encouraging, if you are in a place, a time of waiting.

Sacred singleness and focus

“My present focus is learning to fall in love with Jesus, allowing Him to show me areas in my life that are not pleasing to Him, and ridding those things from my life. I am also learning to daily deny self and to pursue an intimate and passionate relationship with God, who has an amazing plan for my life. And for today, that wonderful plan has called me to singleness.” excerpt from a letter shared in Sacred Singleness, by Leslie Ludy.

And what a beautiful statement it is, I totally relate to this prayer. I’m in this same place of longing to fall so deeply and passionately and intimately in love with Christ that nothing else takes His place, but I’ve been awful at this, and it’s easy to find distractions and plenty of things taking our focus. I keep thinking ‘I’ll make time for you later, after this’, but it doesn’t stick and it’s not consistent.

Bring my focus back to you Lord, may all other things blur and tarnish in comparison with You.

Lori jo

Sing and Make Melody

*Photo by Jessica Marquez*

from Neil Anderson’s Daily in Christ devotional:

Ephesians 5:18, 19
Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.

How pathetically unaware we are of the biblical prominence of music in the spiritual realm. It is interesting to note that whenever the evil spirit came upon King Saul, David (the heir apparent to Israel’s throne) would play his harp and the evil spirit would depart (1 Samuel 16:23). When Elisha was about to inquire of God, he said, “‘Now bring me a minstrel.’ And it came about, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him” (2 Kings 3:15). During the reign of David, more than 4000 musicians were assigned to sing in the temple night and day (1 Chronicles 9:33; 23:5). It is the mark of Spirit-filled Christians to sing and make melody in their hearts to the Lord and speak to each other in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:18, 19).

On the other side of the truth lies the destructive power of secular music. A former satanic high priest showed me numerous symbols on popular record albums indicating commitment and bondage to Satanism. He told me that about 85 percent of today’s heavy metal and punk music groups are “owned” by Satanists. They have unwittingly sold themselves to Satanism in exchange for fame and fortune. Few of these artists actually practice Satanism, but most are hopelessly lost and lead others astray through the godless message in their music.

God created sound and formed our bodies to respond to it. Our ears pick up the sound around us and send a signal to the brain. Some sounds irritate us; others soothe us. There is music that makes you want to march and music that puts you to sleep. Even without lyrics, music with harmony and order can affect the nervous system positively while discord produces a negative effect.

What role does music play in your life? Are you filling your mind and home with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs? Or are you allowing destructive secular music to rob you of your joy and vitality in the Lord?

Prayer:

You are the God who sings over me, Lord. Thank You for the gift of music and for the songs You give me in the night.

Under Spiritual Attack

from Neil Anderson’s Daily in Christ:

UNDER SPIRITUAL ATTACK

1 Timothy 4:1
The Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons

A seminary student stopped by my office to tell me he was having difficulty getting to school on time. What should have been a five-minute drive lengthened to 45 minutes because a voice in his mind kept telling him to turn at intersections. Not wanting to disobey what he perceived to be the “still, small voice of God,” he was treated to a tour of the city almost every morning.

A pastor’s wife, desperately needing the comfort of the Holy Spirit and desiring His leading, passively believed that whatever entered her mind was from God. She soon found herself bound by fear and plagued by condemning thoughts.

These examples underscore the wisdom of John Wesley’s words: “Do not hastily ascribe things to God. Do not easily suppose dreams, voices, impressions, visions or revelations to be from God. They may be from Him. They may be from nature. They may be from the devil. Therefore, do not believe every spirit, but try the spirits, whether they be from God” (Martin Wells Knapp, Impressions , Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1984, p. 32).

In a survey of 1700 professing Christian teenagers, 70 percent admitted to hearing voices, like there was a subconscious self talking to them. I don’t believe they are psychotic or paranoid schizophrenic. There is a battle going on for their minds. I have shared with many tormented people that they aren’t going crazy but are under spiritual attack. They usually respond, “Praise the Lord, someone understands.” It’s freeing to know this truth, because if there is a battle going on for our minds, we can win that war.

PRAYER:
Lord, today I choose to test the spirits and assume my responsibility to think upon that which is true.