Hosanna Restoration Church

Jesus said, “the words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” I discovered the other day that a transition had taken place in the way that I read the Bible. I know it took place a long time ago, but I realized only a few days ago how it was a key in my spiritual life. I am sure that the same is true for many who will read this. I am also sure that it is something that many others have not considered.

What I realized was that as I was reading, I was not reading to see what the written word had to say, but rather to hear what the Spirit said as I read. It was as though the Lord was giving a commentary as I read. The realization of this caused me to think of the change that this makes in the way we look at reading the Bible, or at books that others have written concerning the things of God, or even in listening to the word being taught or preached. How much more exciting it is to think that when we go to “do our Bible reading” as we often refer to it, we are really going to see what God has to say to us today.

Some of you are probably thinking that I should have figured this out a long time ago. And others are perhaps thinking that we cannot hear God telling us anything any more. To these thoughts I say, that I have been doing it for a long time, but the realization of it has juiced me up so to speak, and caused me to think that perhaps there are others who can be boosted by it. And to those who doubt, don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. The fact is, that we have all heard bits and pieces at different times, but God wants us to tune into what He has to say about it all the time.

How often have you said, “I am going to do my devotions.” Doesn’t it sound more exciting to say, “I am going to see what the Lord has to say.” After all, Jesus did say that the words He spoke were spirit and life. He also said that some do not believe. I guess we all fall into one of two categories. Those who believe and those who do not.

Paul did not believe until the Lord spoke to Him. After that, he was one intense believer. God wants us all to be like that. He wants us to be excited about the things He is excited about. He wants us to enjoy all things He has planned. And He wants to tell us all about them.

From now on, as you go to read, pray, or hear the word in church or on tapes, listen to see what the Lord is saying to you. Ask God to give you hears to hear what the Spirit is saying, and expect to hear a lot. Oh yes, we certainly need to test the spirit to see if it is God, but if He is who you most want to hear, you will hear His voice over all other voices. Tune in, and you will most certainly get tuned up.