The Holy Spirit, the Bible, and You

Great Help Crazy to Ignore

“Beauty Below” by Myra Alibrando

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A 90-second inspiration, separate from the devotional, asking what is the message behind the messages in nature?

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Better Books than the Bible

I can honestly say I have read books more engaging than the Bible. Why is the Bible easily the number one, best-selling book in the world? In itself, fascinating, but I can only speak for myself. I don't read the Bible again and again because I like the idea that kings and queens, royalty, dictators, and famous people have poured over the scripture and it kind of forms a common bond. No, that is not why.

In many times and places, the main reason people learned how to read was so they could read the Bible. Intriguing enough to make me curious, but not to read the Bible again and again. 

When I Believed

Like many, the day came when I believed the Bible was really the Word of God. I accepted Christ and began reading my own Bible in 1971. It was a "Good News for Modern Man" new testament. That was a huge departure from "thou shalt" King James for an 18-year old. Writing in the Bible and highlighting at that time was considered disrespectful by many traditional Christians, but my friends and I were so excited sharing our daily new highlighted discoveries often writing the date or a note in the margin. 

Off and On with the Bible

In time, there seemed to be some contradictions and I thought many of God's actions in the Old Testament were terrible. I also struggled living up to what I thought God wanted from me. This is normal, if one is honest. But more often, it was great for me on many levels.

I settled in on Proverbs matching the 31 chapters to the days of the month. I began to read it for personal instruction. I would pick one favorite verse and "chew on it" all day. I was desperate for wisdom. 

Bible Departure and New Faith

Years passed. College, marriage, kids and the Bible seemed less important than paying my bills. I divorced. I sang in bars and worked in entertainment. 

After 6 years away from God, at age 32 in 1985, I came back to God in a big way and have stayed ever since. Plenty of struggles, but it was different this time. I knew now the utter difference of ignoring God and serving Him. I wanted to serve God again, forever. I was back for good and never again considered leaving. 

If God Can Use Flawed People, He Can Use My Bible

Here is what makes the Bible unlike any book on earth: It involves a living Being who sends the Holy Spirit to guide us to truth when we read the Bible (scripture ahead on that).

So, whatever might have been left out, whatever translator stuck in extra, whatever trick or error thrown at me, the Holy Spirit can help protect me. Even without any knowledge of Greek or Hebrew . . . God watches over me as I seek Him in the Word. 

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8

God: I Will Meet You There

This is why they call it the Living Word. The book is just words, but God does keep His promises to us through our trust in His Word.

Through the years I would read Proverbs, per date, more than 100 times. Life has so many different problems and my state of mind is not always the same. Every time I would go to the Bible for help, something would jump out genuinely guiding, strengthening, or encouraging me that day. 

With the craziness of the world in these past few years, I have received new insights while reading Jeremiah, Isaiah, 1st and 2nd Chronicles. I am seeing clarity about God dealing with the nations I have never seen in the Bible before. Things served to my thinking, answering my worries, lighting up the direction of my thoughts. Year after year, amazingly, God has helped me in His written agreement/contract that if I read His Word, He will instruct me, encourage me, correct me.

Not Sure How, But It is Working

Not to be weird, but the Bible is more like a transmitter than a dead book. I don't know how this works but here are some verses: 

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. John 16:13

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.​​​​​​​ John 14:26

Trust the Lord? Trust the Word

Instead of congratulating those in Thessalonica for trusting Paul, Paul instead complimented those in Berea for NOT trusting him, but trusting the scripture as the final filter of what they were willing to believe:

Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11

It really doesn't matter if God equips us with empowering gifts if we opt to fix ourselves in other ways. I'm too lazy to spend 10 years missing the mark while trying to calm myself down or figure something out. I know God can lead me on baby steps weekly that multiplies my hope and gets me back on track. Rather than 40 years wandering in the desert, God can put me on a straight highway.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:6

I know with certainty; he wants the same for you. 

Have a decidedly great week. 

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If any of my scripture references are wrong, please let me know. I use mixed Bible translations.