When the Word came down...!
In the beginning was the Word. And the Word became flesh and was born in a manger. He grew up and dwelt among us. People reacted to the Word in different ways. His own people rejected Him; others received the Word. Some doubted, some questioned. Today the same Word is in our hands. He still speaks to us. How we react to the Word Who came down to us is all about Christmas. Let’s examine how people reacted to the Word.
Genesis 3:9 When God questioned Adam and Eve, they were very honest. That’s why they were saved. The Samaritan woman was honest when Jesus spoke to her. That’s why a turning point came in her life (Jn 4). When Jesus told His disciples that one of them would betray Him, they all started asking, “Lord, is it I?” (Mt 26:22). Take the Word personally. Ask this question constantly as you read. When Nathan confronted David, he repented (2 Sam 12:13). Face your sin honestly. When the Word of God convicts you, acknowledge your sin, feel sorry for it and leave it. After hearing the heart-cutting sermon of Peter on the day of Pentecost, people asked, “What shall we do?” When God’s Word cuts our heart, is that our question? Do we actively read the Word of God with a pounding heart?
Genesis 4:9 God’s Word came to Cain when he was upset over the way God did not respect either him or his offerings. It was a very good counsel which would have brought Cain to good books with God, if he had listened to it. “If you do well will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at your door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it” (Gen 4:7). Cain chose to reject God’s counsel and later lied to Him (v 9). That shows his dishonesty. We know his end. When we reject God there is no scope for us. There is nothing better than God’s counsel. Speaking to Saul, Samuel said, “Because you have rejected the Word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king” (1 Sam 15:23).
Rejecting God’s Word has dire consequences. When Jesus told the high priest that He was the Messiah and the Son of God and he would see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven, what a golden opportunity he missed! He condemned Him to death (Mk 14:62-64). Imagine the reaction of the high priest when he sees Jesus at the right hand of Power, coming with clouds! You want that? The trouble with the scribes and chief priests started even at the birth of Jesus. They reported to Herod about the birth of the Messiah. But if they had gone along with the wisemen they would have seen the heavenly Babe (Mt 2:4). They knew about the star yet did not follow it.
You must become a master mind-reader to really get close to God.
Exodus 8:15,19 God’s voice came clear to Pharaoh through Moses but Pharaoh hardened his heart. God punished Egypt whenever he hardened his heart against God’s Word till Egypt was totally destroyed.
Some people never learn their lessons. God deals with us repeatedly. We should bow down before His Word and do what we should do before He destroys us. Herod wanted to kill Jesus, the Word.
Exodus 33:4 The Israelis in the wilderness mourned but did not repent. They felt sorry when they knew they had hurt God by worshipping a calf image. But their heart was the same. Repeatedly they were rebelling against God. If we feel sorry for what we have done or what we are doing we have to stop it. Make decisions. Seek God’s help to overcome it.
Otherwise it is as good as not mourning. Belshazaar’s countenance changed, his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his knees knocked against each other, when the Word of God came so explicitly to him. He even sought interpretation but did not humble himself and turn to God (Dan 5:6). Judgment came on him. Judas heard all the sermons of Jesus. If he had repented, forgiveness was his. He was broken but did not turn to God for forgiveness. What a terrible mistake. Repentance is right about turn. It is leaving our old life of sin and putting on the righteousness of God. Herod was troubled on hearing that the King of Jews had been born. He even gathered the chief priests and scribes and ascertained the birthplace of Christ. He knew it was an astounding prophetic fulfillment; yet sadly all the information did not lead him toChrist.
Acts 26:28 Agrippa was ALMOST persuaded to become a Christian. How often we stop with ALMOST fearing the ALTOGETHER! Would to God that we become ALTOGETHER. How would king Agrippa feel on the Resurrection Morn for not having taken the bold step to ALTOGETHER. Do we realize that jumping across a well quarter, half or three fourth are all the same; only ALTOGETHER can save us?
Acts 24:25 When Felix listened to Paul’s reasoning about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, he was afraid and sent away Paul saying, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” Sadly the convenient time never came. Truly the Bible is a fearful, awesome Book. If we are afraid while reading it or while listening to a sermon, we must do what we ought to do instead of waiting for a convenient time.
Isaiah 66:2,5 Do we fear God’s Word? Are we humble when we read His Words? The twenty four year old king Josiah tore his clothes when he heard the words of the Book of the Law. How often do we react so drastically? How coolly we read the awesome words of the Book? (2 Ki 22:11). The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; it shakes the wilderness of Kadesh (Psa 29). If we do not react to the Word we are harder than the cedars and drier than the wilderness. People wept on hearing God’s Word to the point that leaders had to stop them from crying and comfort them (Neh 8:9). Does the Word convict us so strongly or move our hearts so wildly making us weep? Are we insensitive to what we read? Peter wept bitterly on remembering the Words of Jesus (Mt 26:75). Joseph did not brush aside the counsel of God as just a dream (Mt 1:20). Zacharias was troubled and fear fell on him (Lk 1:12). Mary was troubled and afraid (Lk 1:29,30). The shepherds were afraid (Lk 2:9).
Nehemiah 8:5 When Ezra opened the Book all he people stood up. How much they respected the Book! How do we read it? Lying down, casually, yawning, on our knees? Jesus counseled His disciples about servanthood. There was absolutely no reaction from them (Mk 10:42-46). This is the daily experience of most of us. We just read a passage and walk off to work. Do we allow God’s Word to touch us? We may read the Bible daily; but does God talk to us daily?
The disciples heard the Words of Jesus and slept (Mk 14:37,40). Eutychus slept (Acts 20:9). We read the Bible when we are tired and sleepy and fail to hear from Him. Pray before you read, begging God to speak to you, to reveal the wondrous things in His Word. The wise men had just a thread of hope. How much weight they gave to that one mention of the star and took up such a hazardous journey! Well rewarded were they!
Exodus 16:31 The Lord gave the Israelis bread from heaven. They tasted it, cooked it and ate it and it was like wafers made with honey. But no one said, “Thank You Lord.” Do we thank God for the Word and the wisdom it imparts? When we have the Word of God in our hands we have the wisdom of God in our hands. Do we enjoy eating it morning and evening? (Ex 16:8). As they kept eating it regularly, they described the taste as that of oil (Num 11:7).
The sweetness had gone. Then their soul loathed it (Num 21:5). How we loved it some years ago when we just came to the Lord? Is it tasteless today or do we loathe it? The magnificat of Mary, the prophecy of Zacharias and the praises of Simeon show how they loved the Scriptures (Lk 1:46-55; 68-78; 2:29-32).
Matthew 22:22 The Pharisees marveled at the Words of Jesus, left Him and went their way instead of clinging on to Him. Many are those who praise the Scriptures and appreciate its beauty as a literary masterpiece. Is that all the place we have given to God’s Word?
Matthew 12:38 The scribes and Pharisees required a sign from Jesus and Jesus called them an evil and adulterous generation. When Gabriel spoke God’s Word to Zacharias he wanted a sign. He was struck dumb. Do we walk by faith or do we keep asking for signs, doubting His Words?
1 Kings 13:17 God told a prophet that he should not eat bread nor drink water nor return by the same route. But another prophet cheated him saying that an angel told him to bring the prophet back to feed him. The first prophet at first refused but in the end gave in and was killed by a lion. When God has clearly spoken to us, do we allow ourselves to be misled by others? Do we give more weight to the words of today’s prophets than the voice of the Scriptures? I am sure many discouraged Joseph from taking Mary believing a dream. But he knew what he was doing and whom he was following. So he was not swaying like a reed.
Numbers 22:19 Though God had clearly spoken to Balaam, he went again to ask God about the same matter. God was extremely displeased and allowed him to go his way. Knowing the will of God very clearly from the Scriptures or in our conscience do we pray for God’s guidance or revelation? God spoke to Joseph, Jesus’ foster father once clearly and that’s it. From that moment onwards it was a walk of faith for him.
1 Samuel 3:10 Samuel answered God when He spoke, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” Do we wait for God to speak from the pages of the Bible or are we satisfied with a Daily Reading? Are we willing to listen and obey? Jesus said, “Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My Word (Jn 8:43). Unless you read with a mind to obey, God will not speak to you. Simeon was “waiting” for the Consolation of Israel.
So he could recognize when He came (Lk 2:25).
Luke 3:10 People asked John the Baptist what they should do when he thundered. When we have a mind to obey and are directionless we can always approach someone for help. The wise men were floundering but God guided them perfectly.
Matthew 13:51 The disciples understood the Word of God. We must try our level best to understand what we read and grasp the meaning of it. Otherwise the wicked one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart (Mt 13:19; Lk 9:45). There was a group in Jerusalem that “looked for redemption.”
They understood further when Anna spoke to them. The gullible women were always learning but were never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Tim 3:7). Never stop with reading the Scriptures but study it thoroughly till you understand the truth.
John 3:4,9 Nicodemus clarified his doubts with Jesus. Search the Scriptures for more light. Jesus gave Nicodemus a complete answer. The Holy Spirit will teach us if we are willing to spend time with the Bible. The Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon (Lk 2:26).
John 6:66 Many of Jesus’ disciples left Him and went back and walked with Him no more, on hearing His teachings. The Bible may be hard on you. Never be tempted to leave it and go back. It is hard to walk by the teachings of Jesus, but in the end is the glorious eternal life. Fitting in with God’s plan means ‘piercing of a sword through your own soul.’ Yet Mary stuck to it (Lk 2:35).
John 6:68 Peter answered Jesus’ question, “Do you also want to go away?” He said, “Lord to whom shall we go? You have (are) the Words of eternal life.
Cling to the Word. There is no other place where wecan go and be at peace.
Genesis 6:13,14 Noah obeyed God to the letter. He obeyed even the commas, colons, semicolons and fullstops. That’s how he escaped the deluge and was blessed. He was moved with godly fear (Heb 11:7). That’s prompt obedience and smart action. There’s going to be a similar catastrophe at the end of the world. Those who obey God will be spared on that errible day (Mt 24:37-39). What do we do when God speaks to us? Wait? Pray about it? Or do we spring into action? How many times have we quietened our conscience with excuses? How many times we procrastinated action for another time and the another time never came? How prompt the Ethiopian Eunuch was to obey the Word he heard! (Acts 8:38).
When Saul asked Jesus, “Lord what do You want me to do?” it was not just a question, it was a commitment to obey whatever God told him to do, go wherever God wanted him to go and speak whatever God wanted him to speak. The Christmas story is packed with action, with active obedience.
Luke 1:34,38 When the angel spoke to Mary she wanted to know how that was going to happen since she was a virgin. When the angel explained the modus operandi she immediately submitted. Are we willing to submit to the difficult demands of God?
Luke 17:5 When the apostles felt it was something that was hard to do they prayed. Let us not immediately conclude that certain things are impossible to obey. If we pray God will help us. The disciples despaired, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God (Lk 18:26,27). The Christmas message is “With God nothing will be impossible”(Lk 1:37). Christmas is the impossible made possible!
Psalm 119:11 David hid God’s Word in his heart. Make special efforts to memorize. Every Word in a verse is important. Memorizing helps us to chew every word. Write the verse and keep it on your table or in a place where you can see it often. All those who heard of the miraculous birth of John kept them in their hearts (Lk 1:66). Mary kept the Christmas happenings and pondered them in her heart (Lk2:19).
Psalm 119:15 David meditated God’s Word. How often we forget what we read and never bother to remember it! Meditation takes time, quiet, concentration and leaving certain things undone like Mary who sat at the feet of Jesus and forgot everything else (Lk 10:42). Jeremiah and John ate the Word of God (Jer 15:16; Rev 10:9). Hurried reading doesn’t help meditation. First understand. Then develop the subject from all over the Bible. Write down and give it shape. Do not sit down to meditate without a note and pen. Jeremiah had the Word of God written down so we have it today to minister to us (36:2). Write down what God teaches you so that the future generations will be blessed. Luke painstakingly gathered information though he had never been with Jesus. He wrote the Christmas story in detail to Theophilus. What a blessing it is for us today!
Psalm 60:6 David rejoiced when he heard God speak. He says he would delight himself in God’s statutes. Does our heart bubble over and overflow when we read the Bible? Do we eagerly wait for someone to share what we have discovered in our meditation? John jumped in his mother’s womb on hearing Mary’s greetings. Mary rejoiced at the message of God (Lk 1:47).
Exodus 33:13,18 When God spoke to Moses he prayed that he may know Him. If we have learnt to taste the Word, we will hunger to know God more and more. When we tune in to God’s voice we will long to spend more time with the Bible. It will be a never-ending revelation. The gentiles begged Paul for more of God’s Word (Acts 13:42). Begging! Beg God for more. Those who hunger and thirst will be filled. “He has filled the hungry with good things” (Lk 1:53).
John 11:39,40 When Jesus wanted the stone removed from the mouth of Lazarus’ tomb Martha could not believe for a miracle. We read a supernatural Book yet not ready to believe God for a miracle. If we believe, we will see the glory of God. Zacharias had difficulty expecting a miracle and suffered for it.
John 12:29 Some people who heard God speak to Jesus from heaven said it thundered. Many times when God speaks to us through circumstances or in a remarkable way, when we don’t want to acknowledge it as God’s voice, we brush it aside as a natural co-incidence. How many times we have ignored God’s voice, all the while knowing at the bottom of our hearts it was He! When the babe exulted in her womb just when Mary greeted, Elizabeth didn’t think it was a coincidence. She concluded the miracle baby jumped out of joy (Lk 1:44).
Matthew 4:6-10 When the devil quoted the Scriptures, Jesus was able to discern and counteract and defeat him. Are we thoroughy grounded in the knowledge of the Bible so that we will not be carried away by every wind of false doctrine? When there was false teaching in the early church, the apostles and elders came together to consider the matter. How people rejoiced when the matter was settled! (Acts 15:6,31). When we read books, watch religious programmes in TV, hear sermons they may sound convincing. But let us not be carried away with any teaching before we check it against the Bible (1 Thess 5:21). Luke had perfect understanding and he wanted Theophilus to know the certainty of those things (Lk 1:3,4).
Revelation 22:8 John fell down before the feet of the angel to worship, when he brought God’s Word to him. What a terrible sin! Beware of deifying those who teach the Word to you.
Luke 24:32 The disciples’ hearts burned within themselves when Jesus talked. Have we ever had this experience? If not, let us examine ourselves to find out why.
Exodus 4:10,13 Moses gave excuses. He was looking at himsef, not at God Who called him. “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow to speech and slow of tongue.” He expected a dramatic change in him after God spoke. How many of us are diffident and keep giving excuses when God calls?
The Bible says, “The anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses.” Don’t make God angry. Jesus asked a man to follow Him. But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let their dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the Kingdom of God” (Lk 9:59-62). Read Jeremiah 1:6. Anna spoke of Him to all! (Lk 2:38).
Luke 5:11 They forsook all and followed Him. How daring were they to leave their business and go! But today the world has not forgotten them like it has forgotten well accomplished men and women. Dare to forsake all and follow Him? Jesus first of all obeyed His Father and came to the world. Secondly He honoured His parents’ commitment to God by surrending their first born to Him and served His Father (Lk 2:22,23).
Psalm 68:11 The Lord gave the Word; great was the company of those who proclaimed it. The Gadarene demoniac received the Words of Jesus and proclaimed it in ten cities and all marveled (Mk 5:20).
When God spoke to the apostles they sprang into action (Acts 5:20,21). Do we put God’s Words under a bushel? Everyday, look for someone with whom you can share what you learned. The shepherds widely spread the news of the Child (Lk 2:17).
The Word of God is a Sword, does it cut you?
The Word of God is a Hammer, does it break you?
The Word of God is a Fire, does it burn you?
If not, how do you read the Bible?
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
When the Word came down...!
In the beginning was the Word. And the Word became flesh and was born in a manger. He grew up and dwelt among us. People reacted to the Word in different ways. His own people rejected Him; others received the Word. Some doubted, some questioned. Today the same Word is in our hands. He still speaks to us. How we react to the Word Who came down to us is all about Christmas. Let’s examine how people reacted to the Word.
Genesis 3:9 When God questioned Adam and Eve, they were very honest. That’s why they were saved. The Samaritan woman was honest when Jesus spoke to her. That’s why a turning point came in her life (Jn 4). When Jesus told His disciples that one of them would betray Him, they all started asking, “Lord, is it I?” (Mt 26:22). Take the Word personally. Ask this question constantly as you read. When Nathan confronted David, he repented (2 Sam 12:13). Face your sin honestly. When the Word of God convicts you, acknowledge your sin, feel sorry for it and leave it. After hearing the heart-cutting sermon of Peter on the day of Pentecost, people asked, “What shall we do?” When God’s Word cuts our heart, is that our question? Do we actively read the Word of God with a pounding heart?
Genesis 4:9 God’s Word came to Cain when he was upset over the way God did not respect either him or his offerings. It was a very good counsel which would have brought Cain to good books with God, if he had listened to it. “If you do well will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at your door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it” (Gen 4:7). Cain chose to reject God’s counsel and later lied to Him (v 9). That shows his dishonesty. We know his end. When we reject God there is no scope for us. There is nothing better than God’s counsel. Speaking to Saul, Samuel said, “Because you have rejected the Word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king” (1 Sam 15:23).
Rejecting God’s Word has dire consequences. When Jesus told the high priest that He was the Messiah and the Son of God and he would see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven, what a golden opportunity he missed! He condemned Him to death (Mk 14:62-64). Imagine the reaction of the high priest when he sees Jesus at the right hand of Power, coming with clouds! You want that? The trouble with the scribes and chief priests started even at the birth of Jesus. They reported to Herod about the birth of the Messiah. But if they had gone along with the wisemen they would have seen the heavenly Babe (Mt 2:4). They knew about the star yet did not follow it.
You must become a master mind-reader to really get close to God.
Exodus 8:15,19 God’s voice came clear to Pharaoh through Moses but Pharaoh hardened his heart. God punished Egypt whenever he hardened his heart against God’s Word till Egypt was totally destroyed.
Some people never learn their lessons. God deals with us repeatedly. We should bow down before His Word and do what we should do before He destroys us. Herod wanted to kill Jesus, the Word.
Exodus 33:4 The Israelis in the wilderness mourned but did not repent. They felt sorry when they knew they had hurt God by worshipping a calf image. But their heart was the same. Repeatedly they were rebelling against God. If we feel sorry for what we have done or what we are doing we have to stop it. Make decisions. Seek God’s help to overcome it.
Otherwise it is as good as not mourning. Belshazaar’s countenance changed, his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his knees knocked against each other, when the Word of God came so explicitly to him. He even sought interpretation but did not humble himself and turn to God (Dan 5:6). Judgment came on him. Judas heard all the sermons of Jesus. If he had repented, forgiveness was his. He was broken but did not turn to God for forgiveness. What a terrible mistake. Repentance is right about turn. It is leaving our old life of sin and putting on the righteousness of God. Herod was troubled on hearing that the King of Jews had been born. He even gathered the chief priests and scribes and ascertained the birthplace of Christ. He knew it was an astounding prophetic fulfillment; yet sadly all the information did not lead him toChrist.
Acts 26:28 Agrippa was ALMOST persuaded to become a Christian. How often we stop with ALMOST fearing the ALTOGETHER! Would to God that we become ALTOGETHER. How would king Agrippa feel on the Resurrection Morn for not having taken the bold step to ALTOGETHER. Do we realize that jumping across a well quarter, half or three fourth are all the same; only ALTOGETHER can save us?
Acts 24:25 When Felix listened to Paul’s reasoning about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, he was afraid and sent away Paul saying, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” Sadly the convenient time never came. Truly the Bible is a fearful, awesome Book. If we are afraid while reading it or while listening to a sermon, we must do what we ought to do instead of waiting for a convenient time.
Isaiah 66:2,5 Do we fear God’s Word? Are we humble when we read His Words? The twenty four year old king Josiah tore his clothes when he heard the words of the Book of the Law. How often do we react so drastically? How coolly we read the awesome words of the Book? (2 Ki 22:11). The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; it shakes the wilderness of Kadesh (Psa 29). If we do not react to the Word we are harder than the cedars and drier than the wilderness. People wept on hearing God’s Word to the point that leaders had to stop them from crying and comfort them (Neh 8:9). Does the Word convict us so strongly or move our hearts so wildly making us weep? Are we insensitive to what we read? Peter wept bitterly on remembering the Words of Jesus (Mt 26:75). Joseph did not brush aside the counsel of God as just a dream (Mt 1:20). Zacharias was troubled and fear fell on him (Lk 1:12). Mary was troubled and afraid (Lk 1:29,30). The shepherds were afraid (Lk 2:9).
Nehemiah 8:5 When Ezra opened the Book all he people stood up. How much they respected the Book! How do we read it? Lying down, casually, yawning, on our knees? Jesus counseled His disciples about servanthood. There was absolutely no reaction from them (Mk 10:42-46). This is the daily experience of most of us. We just read a passage and walk off to work. Do we allow God’s Word to touch us? We may read the Bible daily; but does God talk to us daily?
The disciples heard the Words of Jesus and slept (Mk 14:37,40). Eutychus slept (Acts 20:9). We read the Bible when we are tired and sleepy and fail to hear from Him. Pray before you read, begging God to speak to you, to reveal the wondrous things in His Word. The wise men had just a thread of hope. How much weight they gave to that one mention of the star and took up such a hazardous journey! Well rewarded were they!
Exodus 16:31 The Lord gave the Israelis bread from heaven. They tasted it, cooked it and ate it and it was like wafers made with honey. But no one said, “Thank You Lord.” Do we thank God for the Word and the wisdom it imparts? When we have the Word of God in our hands we have the wisdom of God in our hands. Do we enjoy eating it morning and evening? (Ex 16:8). As they kept eating it regularly, they described the taste as that of oil (Num 11:7).
The sweetness had gone. Then their soul loathed it (Num 21:5). How we loved it some years ago when we just came to the Lord? Is it tasteless today or do we loathe it? The magnificat of Mary, the prophecy of Zacharias and the praises of Simeon show how they loved the Scriptures (Lk 1:46-55; 68-78; 2:29-32).
Matthew 22:22 The Pharisees marveled at the Words of Jesus, left Him and went their way instead of clinging on to Him. Many are those who praise the Scriptures and appreciate its beauty as a literary masterpiece. Is that all the place we have given to God’s Word?
Matthew 12:38 The scribes and Pharisees required a sign from Jesus and Jesus called them an evil and adulterous generation. When Gabriel spoke God’s Word to Zacharias he wanted a sign. He was struck dumb. Do we walk by faith or do we keep asking for signs, doubting His Words?
1 Kings 13:17 God told a prophet that he should not eat bread nor drink water nor return by the same route. But another prophet cheated him saying that an angel told him to bring the prophet back to feed him. The first prophet at first refused but in the end gave in and was killed by a lion. When God has clearly spoken to us, do we allow ourselves to be misled by others? Do we give more weight to the words of today’s prophets than the voice of the Scriptures? I am sure many discouraged Joseph from taking Mary believing a dream. But he knew what he was doing and whom he was following. So he was not swaying like a reed.
Numbers 22:19 Though God had clearly spoken to Balaam, he went again to ask God about the same matter. God was extremely displeased and allowed him to go his way. Knowing the will of God very clearly from the Scriptures or in our conscience do we pray for God’s guidance or revelation? God spoke to Joseph, Jesus’ foster father once clearly and that’s it. From that moment onwards it was a walk of faith for him.
1 Samuel 3:10 Samuel answered God when He spoke, “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” Do we wait for God to speak from the pages of the Bible or are we satisfied with a Daily Reading? Are we willing to listen and obey? Jesus said, “Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My Word (Jn 8:43). Unless you read with a mind to obey, God will not speak to you. Simeon was “waiting” for the Consolation of Israel.
So he could recognize when He came (Lk 2:25).
Luke 3:10 People asked John the Baptist what they should do when he thundered. When we have a mind to obey and are directionless we can always approach someone for help. The wise men were floundering but God guided them perfectly.
Matthew 13:51 The disciples understood the Word of God. We must try our level best to understand what we read and grasp the meaning of it. Otherwise the wicked one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart (Mt 13:19; Lk 9:45). There was a group in Jerusalem that “looked for redemption.”
They understood further when Anna spoke to them. The gullible women were always learning but were never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Tim 3:7). Never stop with reading the Scriptures but study it thoroughly till you understand the truth.
John 3:4,9 Nicodemus clarified his doubts with Jesus. Search the Scriptures for more light. Jesus gave Nicodemus a complete answer. The Holy Spirit will teach us if we are willing to spend time with the Bible. The Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon (Lk 2:26).
John 6:66 Many of Jesus’ disciples left Him and went back and walked with Him no more, on hearing His teachings. The Bible may be hard on you. Never be tempted to leave it and go back. It is hard to walk by the teachings of Jesus, but in the end is the glorious eternal life. Fitting in with God’s plan means ‘piercing of a sword through your own soul.’ Yet Mary stuck to it (Lk 2:35).
John 6:68 Peter answered Jesus’ question, “Do you also want to go away?” He said, “Lord to whom shall we go? You have (are) the Words of eternal life.
Cling to the Word. There is no other place where wecan go and be at peace.
Genesis 6:13,14 Noah obeyed God to the letter. He obeyed even the commas, colons, semicolons and fullstops. That’s how he escaped the deluge and was blessed. He was moved with godly fear (Heb 11:7). That’s prompt obedience and smart action. There’s going to be a similar catastrophe at the end of the world. Those who obey God will be spared on that errible day (Mt 24:37-39). What do we do when God speaks to us? Wait? Pray about it? Or do we spring into action? How many times have we quietened our conscience with excuses? How many times we procrastinated action for another time and the another time never came? How prompt the Ethiopian Eunuch was to obey the Word he heard! (Acts 8:38).
When Saul asked Jesus, “Lord what do You want me to do?” it was not just a question, it was a commitment to obey whatever God told him to do, go wherever God wanted him to go and speak whatever God wanted him to speak. The Christmas story is packed with action, with active obedience.
Luke 1:34,38 When the angel spoke to Mary she wanted to know how that was going to happen since she was a virgin. When the angel explained the modus operandi she immediately submitted. Are we willing to submit to the difficult demands of God?
Luke 17:5 When the apostles felt it was something that was hard to do they prayed. Let us not immediately conclude that certain things are impossible to obey. If we pray God will help us. The disciples despaired, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God (Lk 18:26,27). The Christmas message is “With God nothing will be impossible”(Lk 1:37). Christmas is the impossible made possible!
Psalm 119:11 David hid God’s Word in his heart. Make special efforts to memorize. Every Word in a verse is important. Memorizing helps us to chew every word. Write the verse and keep it on your table or in a place where you can see it often. All those who heard of the miraculous birth of John kept them in their hearts (Lk 1:66). Mary kept the Christmas happenings and pondered them in her heart (Lk2:19).
Psalm 119:15 David meditated God’s Word. How often we forget what we read and never bother to remember it! Meditation takes time, quiet, concentration and leaving certain things undone like Mary who sat at the feet of Jesus and forgot everything else (Lk 10:42). Jeremiah and John ate the Word of God (Jer 15:16; Rev 10:9). Hurried reading doesn’t help meditation. First understand. Then develop the subject from all over the Bible. Write down and give it shape. Do not sit down to meditate without a note and pen. Jeremiah had the Word of God written down so we have it today to minister to us (36:2). Write down what God teaches you so that the future generations will be blessed. Luke painstakingly gathered information though he had never been with Jesus. He wrote the Christmas story in detail to Theophilus. What a blessing it is for us today!
Psalm 60:6 David rejoiced when he heard God speak. He says he would delight himself in God’s statutes. Does our heart bubble over and overflow when we read the Bible? Do we eagerly wait for someone to share what we have discovered in our meditation? John jumped in his mother’s womb on hearing Mary’s greetings. Mary rejoiced at the message of God (Lk 1:47).
Exodus 33:13,18 When God spoke to Moses he prayed that he may know Him. If we have learnt to taste the Word, we will hunger to know God more and more. When we tune in to God’s voice we will long to spend more time with the Bible. It will be a never-ending revelation. The gentiles begged Paul for more of God’s Word (Acts 13:42). Begging! Beg God for more. Those who hunger and thirst will be filled. “He has filled the hungry with good things” (Lk 1:53).
John 11:39,40 When Jesus wanted the stone removed from the mouth of Lazarus’ tomb Martha could not believe for a miracle. We read a supernatural Book yet not ready to believe God for a miracle. If we believe, we will see the glory of God. Zacharias had difficulty expecting a miracle and suffered for it.
John 12:29 Some people who heard God speak to Jesus from heaven said it thundered. Many times when God speaks to us through circumstances or in a remarkable way, when we don’t want to acknowledge it as God’s voice, we brush it aside as a natural co-incidence. How many times we have ignored God’s voice, all the while knowing at the bottom of our hearts it was He! When the babe exulted in her womb just when Mary greeted, Elizabeth didn’t think it was a coincidence. She concluded the miracle baby jumped out of joy (Lk 1:44).
Matthew 4:6-10 When the devil quoted the Scriptures, Jesus was able to discern and counteract and defeat him. Are we thoroughy grounded in the knowledge of the Bible so that we will not be carried away by every wind of false doctrine? When there was false teaching in the early church, the apostles and elders came together to consider the matter. How people rejoiced when the matter was settled! (Acts 15:6,31). When we read books, watch religious programmes in TV, hear sermons they may sound convincing. But let us not be carried away with any teaching before we check it against the Bible (1 Thess 5:21). Luke had perfect understanding and he wanted Theophilus to know the certainty of those things (Lk 1:3,4).
Revelation 22:8 John fell down before the feet of the angel to worship, when he brought God’s Word to him. What a terrible sin! Beware of deifying those who teach the Word to you.
Luke 24:32 The disciples’ hearts burned within themselves when Jesus talked. Have we ever had this experience? If not, let us examine ourselves to find out why.
Exodus 4:10,13 Moses gave excuses. He was looking at himsef, not at God Who called him. “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow to speech and slow of tongue.” He expected a dramatic change in him after God spoke. How many of us are diffident and keep giving excuses when God calls?
The Bible says, “The anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses.” Don’t make God angry. Jesus asked a man to follow Him. But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let their dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the Kingdom of God” (Lk 9:59-62). Read Jeremiah 1:6. Anna spoke of Him to all! (Lk 2:38).
Luke 5:11 They forsook all and followed Him. How daring were they to leave their business and go! But today the world has not forgotten them like it has forgotten well accomplished men and women. Dare to forsake all and follow Him? Jesus first of all obeyed His Father and came to the world. Secondly He honoured His parents’ commitment to God by surrending their first born to Him and served His Father (Lk 2:22,23).
Psalm 68:11 The Lord gave the Word; great was the company of those who proclaimed it. The Gadarene demoniac received the Words of Jesus and proclaimed it in ten cities and all marveled (Mk 5:20).
When God spoke to the apostles they sprang into action (Acts 5:20,21). Do we put God’s Words under a bushel? Everyday, look for someone with whom you can share what you learned. The shepherds widely spread the news of the Child (Lk 2:17).
The Word of God is a Sword, does it cut you?
The Word of God is a Hammer, does it break you?
The Word of God is a Fire, does it burn you?
If not, how do you read the Bible?
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
