Feeding the Famished and Fainting - Part 2

 

Come on! We, the Gems of the Cotacachi Ladies’ Bible Class know that God speaks to His children from the Scriptures. How about you? Wow! Sapphire has almost finished her bread already. Each of my precious Gems has her own unique and precious characteristics. What treasures God gave me in C O T A C A C H I !!!! (of all places). Let me introduce each of these jewels to you. From left to right: An OPAL from Finland, SAPPHIRE, EMERALD AND RUBY – all mined in the U.S.A. Two of our Gems were not present today – AMETHYST and PEARL. We are seven Gems at present, with new Gems having arrived – just ready to be brought to the surface and polished in our Bible Class.

Do “Gems” play with windmills? The “winds” of life certainly have a profound influence on our lives. Last week we looked at four different winds that blow in our circumstances. (1) God’s east wind, that causes our enemy to be defeated by sending “locusts” into their lives that will cause them great distress (Exodus 10); God’s east wind that blows in our adverse circumstances, making a pathway through our “Sea of Troubles” (Exodus 12); God’s east wind that blows upon us when we are disobedient, as in Jonah’s case. God at times grows a “weed: for us, then He creates a “worm” to destroy the “weed of shelter” that we trust in. Why winds, weeds and worms? Because we care more about ourselves than others around us who need a touch from God. Our final east wind targeted the ship on which Paul and two hundred and seventy-five other people traveled. Their voyage ended up in shipwreck. A disaster? No, God made a detour in their route, because of some isolated people living on an island – people for whom Christ died. So you see, each of these Gems has experienced east winds in their Christian experience.

That’s it! Place your foot firmly upon the ”ROCK of AGES” – on GOD AND HIS WORD!

I am continuing our lesson from my previous post – “Food for the Famished and Fainting”.  I ended Part l of our lesson, using the concepts – “concentrating” on the facts of the verses in the Bible that we read; “meditating”  prayerfully and deeply on what we have read; depending on the Holy Spirit to give us a “revelation” – some spiritual truth that we can learn from those same verses, and then by means of “Application” to our own lives, we can act upon what God has revealed to us.

I want to pose a question to you:

1. DO YOU REALLY WANT TO HEAR GOD’S VOICE SPEAKING TO YOU THROUGH HIS WORD?

1. Invite Him to join you as you sit down to a meal from the Word of God. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock . . .” – listen – He is knocking. Jesus knocking? Why does He not just enter into our environment? I guess one of the reasons could be because we do not ask Him to speak to us through His very own Word. How often we keep Jesus standing outside of our lives. He waits . . . .  and waits . . . . and waits. We do not need Jesus to tell us what to do. Or we turn around and leave Him standing alone, longing to guide us along the right pathway for our lives. Let us continue. “ . . . if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and dine with him, and he with me.” Jesus is pleading with us, “I have a banquet waiting to share with you. Please open the door and let me in. I want to sit at the table with you. Just give me a seat, and I will bring the meal – or rather the feast”.
2. How will you know that it is God speaking to you?
3. You will know deep down in your spirit. The Holy Spirit will confirm it to you.
4. The Word will “jump out” at you when you read it. It will take you by surprise.
5. It will “fit” your circumstances perfectly.
6. It will speak to you directly.
7. Your reaction will be of surprise, including other emotions depending on what word you receive from the Lord.
8. At the precise moment that you read that word, you will know that it comes from the Lord. Or the meaning of the verse could come to you at a later stage.
9. The word will have a deep spiritual meaning for you.
10. The word from God will be relevant to our circumstances, for instance – confirmation, instruction, reproof, guidance, affirmation, or even a warning.
11. For a moment, consider the difference between reading a novel, and reading the Word of God. Does that novel convey some deep spiritual truth? Of course not! The Author of the Word, and your Creator knows exactly what to say to you. He wants dialogue with you. Behind that same Voice, is the God of the universe that one day you will see with your own eyes, and to whom you will converse. Will you know that Voice when you reach heaven one day?

2. WHY DOES GOD REVEAL HIS WORD TO US?

As Gems, we love each other. We really do. But God’s love is so much greater. Imagine if someone loved you dearly, but you kept blocking that person from speaking to you. Why do we do it to God – the Lover of our Souls? Why do we block Him from speaking to us? In fact, if that is the case, then why do we keep a copy of the Words that He wants to use to speak to us? Have you ever received mail or an email from someone who really loves you? What do you do? You read it over and over again. Your heart is stirred as you think of this precious person who loves you, and who you also love.

God desires to reveal His word to us, because:

1. You have a specific need.
2. Your really want to hear from God.
3. You have a great concern.
4. Your have to make decisions – minor or major.
5. You need direction.
6. You desire God’s will – not your own.
7. You have to make decision for the future. “Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare. Before they spring forth, I tell you of them.” (Isaiah 42:9). “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19)
8. God wants to give you the assurance that you are not alone – that He is with you. “I will not leave you as orphans in the storm; I will come to you.” (John 14:18)
9. You need wisdom in certain circumstances that are facing you.
10. God wants to show you that His Word is not just mere words, but supernatural words.
11. God desires His utmost best for you.
12. God want to guide you around the pitfalls concealed in your way.
13. God wants you to know the difference between His voice and that of Satan’s.
14. God longs to have dialogue with you.s

3. HOW DO WE FIND GOD’S WILL IN HIS WORD?

1. Always go to God first before anyone else.
2. You must have a deep desire to hear from Him.
3. You must want His will – not yours.
4. Set aside time with God and His Word.
5. Tune in to God.
6. Read His Word thoughtfully.
7. Don’t skip or scan over the words.
8. Read it deliberately – word for word.
9. Read His word prayerfully – talking to God – remember He is in your presence.
10. Confess your sins as God brings them to mind, as you communicate with Him. Sin will block you spiritual vision, and block your spiritual ears.
11. Write in your journal the areas of (1) concentration; (2) the thoughts that come to mind while reading that Scripture/s; (3) As God begins to reveal deep spiritual meaning from that Scripture, write them down. They will certainly evoke some sort of emotion – remorse, joy, sorrow for your sins – many. Jot them down too. When God gives you a revelation, (4) turn it inwards – apply it to your personal situation.
12. Wait on God to give you a word in His time – that unexpected “spot on” message that you have been waiting for.
13. Build a foundation from the Words that God gives you. That foundation will stand forever.
14. Bind that Word tightly to your innermost being. Its your personal treasure – from the Father.
15. Walk on that Word to claim your victory, direction, or whatever your needs were.
16. Praise and bless God for answering you and for speaking to you.

Now join in with us as we share with you what we discussed regarding:

4. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER RECEIVING A WORD FROM GOD?

1. Avoid distractions. Get quiet before the Lord.
2. Plead with God for a Word from Him. (Luke 11:5-10)
3. Be specific as you place your request/s before Him.
4. Wrestle with God if necessary. (Jacob at the Brook Jabbok)
5. Weeping is inevitable – before, during and after. Who can remain dry-eyed in God’s presence?
6. While reading and meditating, communicate with God.
7. Write down the reference and your thoughts that come into your mind.
8. Listen for His Whisper. Wait His time. The Word will come without you looking for it.
9. Wait upon the Lord.
10. Wallow in the love and the Word of the Lord..
11. Worship this great God – for He is to be greatly praised!
12. Grasp the revelation that God gives you. Stand firm-footed on that Scripture; cling to it with all your might; don’t allow anyone to tell you otherwise; DON’T ALLOW SATAN TO ROB YOU OF YOUR REVELATION! It’s God’s personal word to you.
13. A WORD DIRECTLY FROM GOD TO YOU? YES !!!! THAT IS HOW MUCH YOU MATTER TO HIM.

Yes, my Gems, to each one of us too! Get that JOURNAL ready ! ! ! That’s faith! God has many things to say to you.

 

5. WHAT WILL THE HOLY SPIRIT DO?

Observe carefully what Jesus is saying in John 16:13-15. “ . . . . when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it unto you.”

1. Note: The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of TRUTH. Whatever He tells us will always be the truth – “For it is impossible for God to lie.”
2. He will GUIDE you into all truth. Believe it!
3. He will SPEAK to you.
4. He will tell you things to come.
5. He will GLORIFY God in the matter/s.
6. “Take of what is MINE, and . . . . . DECLARE IT TO YOU.” NOTE; DECLARE IT.
7. Jesus repeats once again. Listen: ‘THEREFORE, I SAID, THAT HE WILL TAKE OF MINE AND DECLARE IT TO YOU.”
8. Can you now really doubt that God will speak to you from His precious Truths?

6. WHAT NOW?

Bear this in mind:s

1. “UNTIL THE TIME THAT HIS WORD CAME TO PASS, THE WORD OF THE LORD TRIED HIM.” (Psalm 105:19)
2. STEP OUT BOLDLY . . . . when . . . . “A GREAT AND EFFECTIVE DOOR IS OPENED TO ME . . . . (even though) . . . . THERE ARE MANY ADVERSARIES.” (1 Corinthians 16:9)

“JESUS SAITH UNTO THEM,  COME AND DINE.”  (John 21:12)