Testimony... One with God: January 2013

When I read God's Word, I hear Him speak

Since 1998, I have been reading God's Word nearly daily. Through my time with Him, I hear God speak to me. It's not audible. God just makes His Word evident to me. Those lessons are many times reinforced by messages delivered by teaching pastors and sharing with others who study God's Word. I used to write the messages in the margins of my Bible. Needless to say, my Bible is filling up with messages. In 2006, I started to be more intentional about writing God's lessons to me in a journal. Because God is just sharing so much with me, I feel the burning need to share with others. (Jeremiah 20:9) I am hoping that through this blog, folks will join me as we read, hear God and discuss what we've learned. This isn't so we can simply increase our knowledge about God or to spout off Scripture to impress people. This is so we can really come to know God, and get a greater meaning of His truths so we can go out and live them. God said that if we love Him, then we will obey His commands. (John 4:23-24) And James said don't just listen to (or read) the Word and think that's good enough; you're just deceiving yourself. Live the Word. (Rose's paraphrase of James 1:22) It's similar to this great quote people are passing around now... Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car. So, join me as we learn from God and what He wants us to do. Then let's encourage one another to live it as a testimony to God so that people know He is who He says He is.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

For God so Loved...

Excerpt from "God-speak"

John 3:16 – For God so loved…

He loves a stubborn, rebellious, selfish, arrogant creation.

He loves us in spite of who we are.
He loves us without favoritism.
He loves us beyond who we are.
He loves us into who we will be in Jesus Christ, His only Son whom He loves.
If not for God’s quality of love, His capacity of love, His willingness to love, then who would He be?
What quality would define Him?
Instead His love defines Him and binds everything into perfect unity.

"How He Loves Us" - David Crowder