Word of God, Speak
Dear High Street Family,
Every so often while I’m holding my daughter, I whisper into her ear, “I love you. Your so beautiful. I’m so glad I get to hold you.”
I don’t know how much she understands, but she’ll smirk and sometimes lean closer to me.
And I believe this is the sort of relationship God desires with us. When we interact with Him through His Word and through the Holy Spirit, we can “lean close” and hear His whispers.
When I whisper to Hope, I speak words—the words “I love you.” And those words are carried on my breath that tickles her ear. The Word and Breath arrive together.
And this is how the Scriptures arrive at us too. We read or hear the words God has written in the Scriptures and they arrive to as God’s Breath by the Holy Spirit on the ears of our spirit.
This is one reason Paul writes in 2 Tim 3:16, “For all Scripture is breathed out by God.” The words of the Bible are literally God-breathed. They are Word and Spirit. And we are made to receive.
Have you heard God whispering to you in the Scriptures?
Are you listening and drawing close to hear?
Of course, the words of Scripture weren’t written directly to us in the same way as my story, but the Bible claims that the Scriptures were written for us. They are records of God’s mighty acts in history. They accurately testify of Jesus’ life and the movements of the Holy Spirit. And they are recorded for the Church, even today.
It’s these words, as we understand their context and intention, reveal the heart of God for His world and us, and, through the Holy Spirit, can draw us into prayer. In Psalm 19, King David’s declarations of God’s word lead him into prayer,
“The law of the Lord is [complete], reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the [just decrees] of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”
Do you long to be revived in this season?
Are you looking for wisdom or stability?
Are you pondering what is true or right?
Where can we find purity and truth untainted?
What are you desiring to hear from God?
What might you discover there in His word?
The Words of Scripture draw us in and reveal to us the One who is speaking. Our God who has spoken the world into existence is still speaking.
He is infinite, so His words are infinitely deep. God’s voice is meant to lead us to an encounter with Him, so there is still always more to discover.
What if He would speak to you now? What would you want to hear?
Lean in close, like a son or daughter and hear afresh what God is whispering.
I pray His words would open your heart, mind, and story to the One who has loved you from the beginning and lead you into personal connection with Him. Which is our topic next Sunday, “Can I know God Personally?”
Let’s invite God’s Spirit to lead us all closer to Him,
Pastor Dave
Resources
Articles
10 Crucial Archeological Discoveries Related to the Bible - This article is adapted from the ESV Archaeology Study Bible—a study tool that roots biblical text in its cultural and historical context. These discoveries reveal the power of God’s history interwoven in human history on a variety of levels.
The Reliability of the Bible – In this short article, the author sets out some reasons why the Bible we have today is reliable. By reliable, he means it is reliable as to its contents being an accurate transmission of the original and its important factual claims. Check this out for some faith-grounding research. It’s also linked to other significant research and sources to dig deeper.
Historical Criticism Article - This article sketches the beginnings of Historical Criticism and its impact on the interpretation of the Bible. Historical criticism is the attempt to verify the historicity of and understand the meaning of an event that is reported to have taken place in the past.
A History of Biblical Criticism - The term is used in Biblical studies for the examination of the lit. according to principles established from the study of other lit. Since the whole idea of criticism in relation to the Bible has so often been misunderstood or misapplied, a careful understanding of its scope and purpose is indispensable. Criticism covers two fields; lower criticism, which deals with matters affecting the transmission of the text, and higher criticism, which investigates origins, authorship, purpose, and the general character of the Biblical books.
Videos
What is the Bible? - The Bible Project does an amazing video series on what the Bible is and how to read it, and also has a series of deep-dive podcasts on a variety of topics. If you or someone you know are asking questions about the Bible, this is a great space to explore!
The Bible, The “First Hyperlinked” Book Video – A short clip of Jordan Peterson as he elaborates on that amazing image of the internal integrity of the Scriptures… so powerful! Also, the full lecture is linked here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-wWBGo6a2w&t=0s
Music
The Voice of God – Dante Bowe sings a powerful, honest song about the depth, longing and variety of ways we hear and experience the voice of God.
Scripture and Music – Dappy T. Keys is an instrumental musician and believer who plays piano with scripture in the background. Take a moment to slow down and listen to the Word of God, let it wash over you and invite you into an encounter with the Author.
Word of God Speak – Joe sang this song over us during communion on Sunday and the words are so relevant and deep when we think about Scripture and about Jesus being the “Word of God”. Take a listen and receive from His voice.
Words That You Say – One more amazing song about awaiting expectantly the Word of God to speak to us. This is by Something Like Silas and sets us up to be ready to hear from God’s Word and voice in our everyday life.
Bibles
Free Audio Bibles – both the links below will provide you with free audio bibles that you can use to listen to the scriptures and/or devotionals throughout your everyday. If you’re looking for unique and fresh ways to receive from the scriptures, then use these links below.