Crash Course to Appreciating Your First Love - Part 2
Historically, the church has done a poor job teaching people how to grow in their understanding of God’s Word. We give the impression that you have to go to seminary to hear from the Lord. The fact that the Lord showed up to a murderer (Moses), a teenage girl (Mary), and a young boy (Samuel) should blow that theory out the water. The Lord wants us to be in a relationship with Him. He left His Word so we would get to know Him. Obedience is not always easy, but He makes it simple for us to know Him and His will for us.In my last blog, I started to walk through some basic steps for you to use as you spend time with the Lord. I urge you to keep God front and center in your life this summer. In case you missed it, check out my last post to learn about Focused Thinking, the first step. Here, we’ll continue using Hebrews 1:1-3 as our text.
“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…”
2. Personal Application
It’s important to remember that a priority time is more than a bible study. If you walk away with only biblical facts, it’s easy to remain unchanged. Every passage will have a different focus, but every passage will apply to our lives. One of the easiest ways to make sure you’re applying God’s truth is to ask:
• What did this passage show me about God and His character?• What did this passage show me about me?• As a result, what should I start doing?• As a result, what should I stop doing?
Here are a couple of ways that I applied these three verses to my life:
a) God has always spoken to His children. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, so He still speaks today. He speaks through Jesus and He speaks through His Word. If I’m not hearing enough, it’s not because He isn’t speaking; rather, I’m not listening enough.
Now, what am I going to do with this? There’s nothing about my flesh that would want to show me I need to listen to God more. The fact that I’m convicted is because of the Holy Spirit and it’s up to me to do something with this truth. This is how I’ll respond...
I think I’m not listening enough because I’ve allowed myself to rush my priority time the last couple of weeks. I’ve been trying to cram a few appointments in before school is out and have ended up shrinking the time I usually guard for my PT. I need to go back to the more protected schedule.
b) If Jesus has the power to uphold the universe by the Word of His power, then He has an incredible amount of power. His power is enough to overcome the struggles that I’m currently facing and answer my prayers. The Lord is powerful enough to teach my teenagers what I’ve been unable to teach them. He’s big enough to give me the energy I need to meet my writing deadlines. He’s able to protect my family from the dangers and evils that are out in the world. I must stop being fearful.
ApplicationI’m going to be intentional about thanking God for all the ways He has protected me when I have any sense of fear setting in. When I fear a “what could be” with one of my kids, I’m going to stop and thank Him for all the things that haven’t happened to my kids because of His faithfulness.
This passage is full of truths about God which may hit you in a different way from how they hit me. But reflecting on God's power, faithfulness, and unchanging ways should cause you to love and trust Him more.Focused Thinking and Personal Application are the first two components of a priority time. Check out next Tuesday’s blog as I finish out this PT crash course!