This week, I am at a preaching conference being taught by my seminary. Today, we were talking about hearing the Holy Spirit and having a spiritual encounter with God each time we encounter scripture. I am wondering how often each one of us expects to encounter the Living God every time we encounter scripture.
It can be scary to come face to face with an impression of our own personal encounter within the scripture. What if I share with someone what I think I heard, and they think it is silly or not very deep? I have found that there are many spaces in which God wants us to listen, and to hear, and then to share what we think the Holy Spirit might be saying about our lives today.
How about you? What do you believe God is saying in your life today? How can you get away with scripture and get alone and hear God’s voice?
Romans 10:5-17
5 Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say?
“The word is near you,
in your mouth and in your heart”
(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim), 9 because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For one believes with the heart, leading to righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, leading to salvation. 11 The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
14 But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 15 And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” 16 But not all have obeyed the good news, for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Drew
