Showing posts with label Clarity in translating God's Word. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Clarity in translating God's Word. Show all posts

Thursday, August 24, 2017

CHOOSE: CHURCH FELLOWSHIP

On a recent morning "cousin" walk on Cedarwood in Nashville, I came across a bird church. 
For some reason that woodland anomaly of sorts, spoke volumes.
A quiet place. A gathering spot for the flock. A place for feeding.  A place under the cross as if they to are atune to the one who feeds the birds of the air. (Matthew 6:25)
A bird church---not unlike my own church or the church at the end of Cedarwood.
A place for God’s flock, although we’re more like stubborn sheep at times, to gather. That Monday, the Cedarwood congregation came to view the eclipse together and even invited us to join.
God’s church. A place to go and be fed. Often times it’s a place of quiet prayer. Other times, especially Wednesday nights and “fellowship Sundays,” it’s a place of “chowing down” for physical sustenance.
On Sundays, church is a place for spiritual sustenance as we come together to “feast” on God’s word and be nourished by it, just as the early church did.
Continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching  (their words came straight from God Himself) and to fellowship to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)
For me, church is the wise choice. It nourishes me spiritually and relationally with both God and man. I know “some” folks don’t feel that way. God’s word in Hebrews 10:24-25, says, “….not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.”
I don’t want to be one of the “some” because I not only want to encourage others but I am so  blessed by the encouragement I receive as well.


I am grateful for the little bird church in the woods which reminded me to choose church!

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

TEA-lightfully clear

God's Word is truth. (John 17:17) God-breathed. (2 Timothy 3:16) Yet, to many, parts of scripture are unclear. Direction needed. Crystal clear direction. Clarity in God's word
Isn't that what we all want? A cup of clari-TEA as we read God's word---to know His truth?
To know what God is really saying, especially to each of us personally?
Last week at BSF, Cathy, our teaching leader, gave insight into this conundrum.
All scripture is equally true....BUT not all scripture is equally clear. 
A TEA-lightful quote for me to remind me of truth that I do understand and to trust the Lord in the parts which I don't.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

More clari-TEA needed


3/28/13 Kitchen table chat yesterday had JoLynn reminding me that hearing from God is a spiritual communication. Neither of us have ever heard a “deep grandfatherly” sounding voice speaking audibly to us---rather we have “heard” our own thoughts revealing truth from Him. The voice of the Lord seems to come to us in our own thoughts. Like an impression, a nudge or a check. To me a “check in my spirit” is like a mini-warning---a “better slow down and rethink that! If I don't have peace about it---that’s my “check---I know I need to look at the options….until I hear the voice of peace.
All of these thoughts are mine alone--gleaned through experience, nothing more. God’s voice might not come to others in this way.
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Rev 3:22, NIV) Believers make up God’s church, so we need to “listen for His Spirit.

GOD’s WORD--In order to actually “hear” from God we need to know about who God it. That helps us determine His character, thus making it easier to discern His voice. The Bible, God’s Word, is the only true source for that information. Too often folks see God as what they want Him to be or as culture labels Him to be. Those views can impair one’s “hearing.”
OTHER PEOPLE--God can use other people to “speak” His truth to us and offer godly counsel. He can use anyone BUT it’s safer to be lead by other believers. How can one even discern a true believer?
The Spirit itself beareth witness with (testifies to) our spirit, that we are the children of God: (Romans 8:16) That spirit is recognizable in others---it’s how we recognize ourselves and others as God’s children.
CIRCUMSTANCES---God uses these BIG time in my life. My cancer journey taught me lessons in forgiveness and trust. All were from Him---without me ever “hearing” an audible word.


Circumstances, advice from others, nudges.  How do I know they are from Him. Every “message” needs to be filtered through His word. Does it align with scripture? Does it promote His purpose by glorifying Him? The Bible is our most important tool in hearing God’s voice. His Word is like our policy and procedure manual.


God wants us to “get to know my voice”, as John 10:4 states, his “sheep follow him because they know his voice.” Discerning His voice will take time and work---but it’s so worth it.

Praying for my readers today that God will “pour out clari-TEA” on this topic.