Is God’s Word Speaking to You? And Two Free Downloads

What comes to your mind when someone mentions the Bible? I’d love to know your thoughts about God’s word.

A Dusty book? Archaic message?

Where is my Bible anyway?

A message from God?

I don’t understand it.

A road map for life?

Do I need direction?

I admit, before I knew Jesus personally, I struggled reading the Bible. I tried. But it didn’t seem to make any sense. I wasn’t sure where to start…at the beginning? That didn’t work because as soon as I got to the Leviticus laws I gave up.

I knew about God. I went to church. I strived to know more. But something was missing.

What I didn’t realize, is that the Holy Spirit is the one who helps us to understand spiritual things.

The Holy Spirit is the one who helps us to understand spiritual things. Does the #BibleSpeakToday? Click To Tweet

Jesus Promised A Helper Would Come

Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would teach and help the disciples to remember everything that Jesus said (John 14:26). There was so much the disciples didn’t understand.

Like us, I guess.

Shortly after Jesus rose from the dead, He was walking with two of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. At first, they didn’t recognize Him until later when He broke bread with them. Scripture tells us that He opened their minds to understand the scriptures (Luke 24:45).

Things aren’t often clear to us right away either. The good news is, the Holy Spirit is for us too.

It’s when we encounter Jesus that we begin to understand more in God’s Word.

When I was sixteen, I realized I needed Jesus. His forgiveness. New life for my dead spirit. And, the truth about eternal life.

Getting to Heaven isn’t meant to be a 50/50 chance. God sent Jesus to die for the whole world, and those who believe in Him WILL have eternal life.

Getting to Heaven isn't meant to be a 50/50 chance. #BeAssuredOfHeaven Jesus died for the whole world. #WeHaveAChoice what to believe Click To Tweet

Once I believed and began walking with Jesus in this new way – realizing that I couldn’t ever be good enough on my own to go to Heaven. Everything changed. For the first time, I understood that my sin took Him to the cross, and He went willingly to die in my place. I began reading His word with new eyes. So much began to make sense.

I understood that my sin sent Jesus to the cross, and He went willingly to die in my place. #JesusPerfectSacrifice #HeDiedForYou Click To Tweet

Jesus Came So We Can Have Life And Help Us Live It

Jesus came to give us understanding, and His word was written down so we can know we have life (1 John 5:20, 1 John 5:13).

How God’s Word Spoke to Me This Week

In the Book of Acts this week, I read about Lydia in Acts 16:14. She was a savvy business woman who gathered with other women to pray. She was a worshipper of God but when she heard Paul speak about the gospel, it says: “The Lord opened her heart to respond to the words of Paul.”

I guess I was a bit like Lydia. Even though I went to church and thought I knew God, there was more I needed to understand. And like Lydia, I still want to be willing to listen because there is always more that God wants to teach me.

I have discovered that each time I open God’s word, I encounter the Living God who wants to breathe His Living Word into my life. His word teaches me what I need for today, and prepares me for what I need for tomorrow.

Each time I open #GodsWord, I encounter the #LivingGod who wants to breathe His Living Word into my life. Click To Tweet

There is Nothing Archaic about the Bible

Hebrews 4:12 says His word is living and active, sharper than a two-edged sword. It can rightly divide the truth and motives of my heart. It is like looking in a mirror and God shows me what I need to see as I read.

I Am Reading the Book of Acts

Since the start of the pandemic and stay-at-home ruling I began reading the book of Acts. The idea of us being the church even when we can’t attend church drew me. Our world has been turned upside down. And the disciples experienced this too as they saw their hope die on a wooden cross.

I’d like to invite you join me over the next several blog posts to discover what God’s Word is saying to us in the Book of Acts?

I will share what God is showing me. And, you can add what you discover as we read each chapter together.

Here are some hints that help me to read God’s Word With My Heart:

1. Ask God for help to see what He wants me to understand. (Prayer)
2. Read purposefully – don’t rush, especially through familiar passages. (Read)
3. Notice what makes me stop, ponder, ask questions, or make connections to what I already know. (Pause)
4. Write them down.
5. Add thoughts, verses that come to mind. (Connect)
6. Thank God for speaking through His word. Ask Him for direction in the coming days to better understand. (Praise and Listen)

#Download Six Hints that can help you to #ReadGodsWord with your heart. Get this free download from my blog post. Click To Tweet

I have created downloadable files for you:

Download your free PDF copies of How to Read God’s Word With Your Heart

A Free Note Keeping Page too.

Join me next time in Acts Chapter One…You can read it here: Acts 1

Jeanne

 

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Amazon Resources For You (Affiliate links). Henrietta C. Mears wrote a wonderful resource for studying the Bible.