Words to Live By

My Sunday School this weekend will focus on three readings.
Isaiah 57:14-21
Hebrews 12:1-6
John 7:37-46

Rather than an extensive explanation of these texts what I want to do this week is engage the Scripture on a more personal level. There are many angles to the Bible and there is something to be said, especially in our prayer time, to letting a word or verse have its way with our heart (and let the head take a brief Sabbatical!!!)

These are the verses I chose:

Isaiah "(God says) I was angry, I smote him, I hid my face and was angry; but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart. I have seen his ways but I will heal him....Peace, peace...I will heal him"

Hebrews "In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood."

John "If anyone thirsts let him come to me and drink."

So, without reference to what the authors meant or the message in context, what are these words snatched out of place saying to you?

How do you experience the "anger" of God? What does it mean that following  one's "own heart" is at odds with God? What must you repent of to put an end to this conflictual situation with God? And are you able to trust and believe God's intent is still to heal you? What wounds and brokenness need healing? Bring your sins before God, renounce them and trust Him to heal. Reconciliation yields peace. Healing brings peace. Pray for peace, declare peace is real, be encompassed in shalom/peace.

What is your level of effort against sin? are you neglectful, assuming no one is perfect so why stress out? Are you trying to stop sin, but failing? What would "resistance to the point of shedding blood" even look like in your life today? Return to Isaiah and the healing message. Whatever the cost of resistance, whatever the wound that is opened, embrace healing.

Are you satisfied with your life? do you thirst for more? have you encountered the God sized hole in your soul? Thirst, no matter how intense, is fine as long as there is something to drink. do you seek Jesus? what are you "drinking" instead which does not satisfy? what is it costing you for the waters that do not satisfy? Jesus offers it for free. Will you go to Him? will you trust Him?

I pray that your meditations on these words above bear fruit in your life this day. Peace and Healing in the Living Waters of Jesus!