A random text
A fun emoji
A little FB update
These can be very trivial - even impersonal
if they are not attached to something more.
The relationship behind it is the treasure.
My husband can send me any little blurb in a text,
and it flutters my heart a bit.
Just because.
We stay connected to a lot of people.
Technology is cool, and I love the value it has.
But, we all know the struggle of holding onto real relationship,
despite the ease of staying "connected".
Some of that can sneak into our relationship with Jesus.
We have so much available through books, podcasts, and emails.
Published devotionals and sermons are everywhere.
(and most are awesome)
Teaching is a spiritual gift and an important part of building up the church,
but. . .
Our relationship with Christ is personal.
Knowing Jesus is grounded so deeply in reading His Word ourselves.
Bible reading is a spiritual discipline,
but I pray that we move beyond the duty of the word discipline.
I don't listen to my husband because of a requirement.
I love to know his thoughts, and plans, and opinions.
I love to listen to Jesus.
Reading scripture each day builds something indescribable.
Yes, He can speak to you in a billion different ways
and often will-
But first.
First, go to the book full of words that He has given.
Once you commit to what He has already given,
you will be amazed at what He will add.
He is so faithful.
I have experienced it and seen it - over and over.
So, seriously, I want to encourage you.
Devotionals and sermons are definitely awesome and useful.
(*always screen any teaching with discernment*)
I use them on a daily basis.
But, when you depend completely on devotionals for your scripture reading,
you generally only read portions or selections, maybe even just one or two verses.
These can be precious and encouraging when you see them as a text or small message.
They can remind you and refresh you in your walk.
Let these things be supplements to the one-on-one.
We no longer need a priest or intercessor.
Jesus is the Great High Priest.
Go straight to Him.
The Spirit Himself will teach you and guide you as you read and seek.
Bible study tools, study Bibles, questions to friends and pastors -
Yes, yes.
But, start with an open Bible.
We are blessed more than we know at that freedom and gift.
Paul spends a lot time defending His teachings in the New Testament by explaining that
his message of the Good News came directly from Jesus.
Galatians Chapter 1 is Paul explaining the authenticity of the Gospel.
We can see the importance of going straight to God-
if you think of it like other relationships.
Things change or alter when we hear it second-hand.
Nothing replaces direct communication.
Draw near.
James 4:8
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
Draw near is the opposite of posts and profiles.
It's deeper than texts and messages.
It's the undone reality
the unfiltered, unveiled, exposed you.
James 4: 7-10
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
All the thoughts; all the feelings; all the actions
confessed and released to the One who cleanses.
You and Jesus.
Draw near.
Face to face.
Face to the mirror
The mirror of His Word.
The real you to the real Word.
No filter; no go-between
Draw near
by reading
by renewing your mind
by living out what you hear.
Draw near and be transformed.
James 1: 21-25
So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
Romans 12:2
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
James 4:8
Draw near to God,
and He will draw near to you.
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