When I first began my blog, it was with the desire to be able to continue dialogue with the ladies from city-wide Bible Study and Ladies Sunday School class. Consequently I have been considering how the blog could be written in a way that lends itself to more discussion and less blogging on my part. As I prayed about this, the idea came to me to make it more like "On Eagles Wings," selecting a Scripture to discuss asking the three questions:
2. What does the Scripture mean
3. What does the Scripture mean to me personally
The first Scriptures that came to mind were John 2:29-30. I read these during my quiet time last week and immediately three questions jumped off the page. I thought at that time, "I need to take these Scriptures apart and apply them to my life!" What a more perfect way to do this then together with all of you!!
The setting of these scriptures is when John the Baptist was baptizing men and his disciples and the Jews came to him saying, "Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified - behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him." John 2:26
John answered and said "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. John 2:27 "You bear witness, that I said, "I am not the Christ," but "I have been sent before Him." John 2:28
The Scriptures I would like to discuss are the next two when John the Baptist continues:
"He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. John 2:29
"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 2:30
Let's take them apart:
1. What does the Scripture say?
"He who has the bride is the bridegroom, but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. John 2:29
2. What does the Scripture mean?
"He who has the bride (the church) is the bridegroom (Christ), -so Christ has His people the church, but the friend (could be the church or could be John referring to himself as Christ's friend) of the bridegroom (Christ), who stands and hears Him (so the church hears Christ as He speaks) rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice (they know His voice).
Therefore this joy of mine if fulfilled (John the Baptist knew what he had been sent to do)
For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
"Make straight the way of the Lord."
John 1:23
His joy was complete because he had accomplished his purpose.
3. What does the Scripture mean to me personally?
The first lesson that came to my mind was when John called himself a friend of Jesus, I had to ask myself, "Could I be considered a friend of Jesus". John describes the friend as someone who stands and hears him (Christ).
Do I listen when Christ speaks? If not - why not?"
Could it be I am not listening for His voice through His Scriptures?
Could it be I read them and walk away immediately forgetting what I
read?
This is why memorization of Scripture is so important! In memorizing Scripture we must thoroughly think about what the Word says, digesting it into our being, that it may become part of who we are!
The second lesson that came to mind was when John said he rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. I had to ask myself, "Do I know Chirst's voice when He speaks? If not - not why?". Could it be I don't spend enough time with Christ to recognize His voice? I think of friends who are dear to me, who when they call me on the phone and say "hi" I know immediately who it is by the sound of their voice. I know their voice!! Why is it I know their voice? It is because I spend time with them and have developed a close friendship with them. Do I spend enough time with Christ to get to know His voice, to develop a close friendship with him?
1. What does the Scripture say:
"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 2:30
2. What does the Scripture mean?
This is quite simple to understand - hard to do!! Christ must be
above all, everything must be about Him!
3. What does the Scripture mean to me personally?
The third lesson that came to my mind was I must decrease, not to do things to elevate myself, but only to elevate Christ! My life should be about Christ living in me, not about me making a life for myself. It should always be "His will be done," not my will be done! I had to ask myself, "When do I put myself above Christ? Do I do all that I do with the right ambition, to lift up Christ, or do I do somethings to be lifted up in other's eyes, to build up my reputation? Do I always pray before I do something, or do I sometimes do what I want to do, knowing if I asked Christ He would say no - and I want my way more than I want His will?"
Upon asking myself these questions my first thought was:
Search me, O God and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
So how will my life be different because of the lessons I have gleaned from God's Holy Word?
1. I will concentrate on listening for His voice when I read the Scriptures
2. I will commit myself to memorizing Scripture - and stop making excuses
3. I will spend as much time as I possibly can with Him, putting aside things that so easily take time from Him, that I know He calls me His friend because we are always together!!
What a wonderful way to begin the New Year!! Instead of New Year's resolutions, I have committed to a closer walk with My Father!! It just doesn't get any better than that!!
I would love to hear what you glean from these Scriptures!! One of my most favorite times was when we sat around a table and discussed Scriptures together. Even though we can't be together in person we can still share our thoughts with one another! Let's do it - let's dig deep together - and continue growing in God's Holy Word!!
I love you all so much - and miss you so!!
