I’m aware
that many people are intimidated by the Bible, feel like it is hard to
understand and/or they believe it's not relative to our lives today. I will agree with those statements to a
certain degree, in that if you don't use the Bible correctly it could make
people feel that way. Here’s what I
mean, if the issue was the Bible, it wouldn’t be considered the bestselling book
of all time with estimated annual sales of 100 million copies. Just as with any other resource, if you don’t
use it correctly, you won’t get the correct results. This simple truth leads me to believe it’s
the “user”, not the “Word” or the Creator of the Word (aka God)” that is the
challenge. That said, to get the full
effect, some of us may need a new paradigm about our Biblical approach, and, until
we get the full effect consider the Bible to be a resource guide and/or
instructional manual for our lives. This
new paradigm, I believe will help to reduce and/or eliminate the feelings
mentioned above, over time, and it will allow us to reposition ourselves.
What do I
mean about "reposition ourselves"?
Have you ever taken a shower? I know, just humor me. So, have you ever taken a shower? Ok, if you are to the right, left, too far
back or directly underneath the shower head, what happens? Right, but really happens? You get some sprinkles, but you don’t get the
full effect. Sometimes we do that on purpose
for a variety of reason I won’t take the time to cover, just use your
imagination. However, when we reposition
ourselves, we get the full effect of the shower, which allow us to do all of
the things we desire: wash and rinse our bodies and our hair, shave, allow the
pressure to sooth tired muscles and whatever else you do in the shower, but you
get my point, right? So it is with our
relationship with God. What worked for you
five years ago may not work anymore because you have grown or fallen and it’s
time to reposition yourself (change).
Change can also be intimidating but in order to become the person God
has designed us to be, change is necessary too.
How do we
reposition ourselves? Great question but before I answer, I need to make this disclaimer: None of the information below will make any
difference whatsoever if you are not open.
The mind is like a parachute, it only works when it’s open.
Repositioning
Ourselves:
1. One must have a personal relationship with
God through his son, Jesus, in order to get the full benefit of the Word. It's like the fringe benefits of being a
member of a prominent family whether they’re gansta’s, bougie or anywhere in
between, otherwise, what would be the need of a personal relationship if
everyone, regardless of their affiliation, commitment, etc. got the same
privileges.
· Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and
the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NLT);
· And we can be sure that we know him if we
obey his commandments. (1 John 2:3 NLT)
Let me say
it another way, how fair would it be if some people were living a dedicated
life to God, making sacrifices, saying no when we want to say yes; standing
still when we want to run full speed ahead; fasting; praying; getting on the
6:00 am call, etc.; and other people live any kind of raggedy life they want
and get the same exact privileges as the folks that are living a saved and
consecrated life. That would be messed
up! I would probably have an attitude
with God.
2. We must actually obtain and use the
Bible. Seriously, it's like being a
member, but you have no idea what the benefits are, guidelines, expectations,
etc. I mean you have to be willing to
participate on some level. But isn't
that true for anything in life. You reap
what you sew; you make no investment, there will be no return; you get out of
it what you put into it.
· God, you have ordered that your decrees
should be kept most carefully. How I wish my ways were strong when it comes to
keeping your statutes! Then I wouldn’t be ashamed when I examine all your
commandments. I will give thanks to you with a heart that does right as I learn
your righteous rules. I will keep your statutes. Please don’t leave me all alone! (Psalms 119:4-8 CEB)
3. We must be willing to take baby steps and
humble ourselves to the point of knowing we won't grasp it all in five minutes
regardless of our status (e.g. education, economics, background, who your “momma
‘nem is, etc.). This is an independent journey and you’ve gotta “walk it out.”
Your girl ain’t gonna be able to “hook you up.”
This is all on you.
· I pray that your love will overflow more and
more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I
want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and
blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. (Philippians 1:9, 10 NLT)
4. We must be willing to implement what we
learn, otherwise, what is the point?
· Therefore, with humility, set aside all moral
filth and the growth of wickedness, and welcome the word planted deep inside
you—the very word that is able to save you. You must be doers of the word and
not only hearers who mislead themselves. Those who hear but don’t do the word are like those who look at
their faces in a mirror. They look at themselves, walk away, and immediately
forget what they were like. But there are those who study the perfect law, the
law of freedom, and continue to do it. They don’t listen and then forget, but they put it
into practice in their lives. They will be blessed in whatever they do. (James
1:21-25 CEB)
In His
Humble Service,
Tania
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