Girlfriends in God - Sept. 15, 2010
September 15, 2010
Slow Down and Pay Attention
Sharon Jaynes
Today's Truth
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that all God's people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16,17 TNIV).
Friend to Friend
One summer I went to a very famous art museum. I walked up and down the aisles, quickly glancing at first one masterpiece and then another. Finally, I decided to stop and look at one particular painting. I don't even remember which one it was. The more I looked at the painting, the more I began to see. It was dark on one side and grew lighter on the other. I noticed the expressions on the faces, the longing of a child, the pain of a man, the approaching cloud in the sky, the hues of the clothes, a bare foot, a torn robe, a clenched fist. A story began to unfold before my eyes and it was if I were beginning to see into the heart of the artist.
This reminded me of how we sometimes read the Bible - like perusing through an art gallery and never really stopping to see what the artist intended in the great masterpieces lining the majestic walls. Like walking briskly through an art gallery, we grab the Bible and read a few verses before running out the door in the morning or closing our eyes at night.
But God's Word is a masterpiece and He speaks through every stroke of the writer's pen. Oh the treasures stored on each page just waiting to be discovered!
The Hebrew word for Bible is mikra, which means "the calling out of God." He calls out to us from the pages and speaks to us through the words. The Bible is amazingly profound and yet simple enough for a child to understand. The more time we spend in the Scriptures, the more God will reveal the truths within.
The Bible tells us that the Scriptures are alive. John calls Scripture "the word of life" (I John 1:1). Peter calls Scripture the "living and enduring word of God" (I Peter 1:23). "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edge sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). No matter how long we live, no matter how many times we read through the Bible, God will continue to speak to us through the pages of His Word. His Words are living and bring us life!
Let's Pray
Dear Lord, I pray that You will "give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that we may know him better and so that the eyes of our hearts may be enlightened in order that we may know the hope to which he has called us, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe" (Ephesians 1:17-19). I pray that the eyes of our hearts will be open to see God through the pages of the Bible and hear His voice in each and every word.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Now It's Your Turn
Over the next few days, read the book of Esther in one sitting. Then ponder the story just as if you were looking at the story of a painting.
Who are the main characters?
Who are the villain and the hero?
What is the conflict?
What is the lesson learned from the story?
Even though God's name is not mentioned in the story, where do you see Him in the masterpiece?
I'd love to hear how God has been speaking to you through the Scriptures lately. Let me know at www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes.
More from the Girlfriends
God has so much to say to His children. And yet, so few will take the time to truly listen. If you would like to learn more about how to hear God's voice, then see Sharon's book, Becoming a Woman who Listens to God.
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