Friday, July 31, 2009

the effect of God's word

I generally notice a difference in myself when I'm meditating on God's word, and when I'm not. It's true that we're normally pondering something. I can easily get enmeshed and lost in my own thoughts, which sometimes go down a pathway that is not helpful or good.

As I take up a portion or passage in Scripture, I find over time as I ponder that grace begins to set in. God's love by the Spirit comes to the fore, and the old, doomed thoughts and attitudes are gone.

This is why I like to be in God's word all day as much as possible. God's word has a power all its own, and a wildness which can't be tamed, except by our systematic theologies, which can take the potency and power, yes what it really is as God's word, right out of it- and by themselves they do, as this excellent book which I'm rereading once again is reminding me.

How does God's word impact you? Or what would you like to share here?

8 comments:

Lanny said...

I agree with your statements here about God's word. In them lies the essence of why I shudder at cultural "devotions" time as it contains more of man's words than God's. The consensus among Christian Culture appears to be that God's word alone is not enough, that whether it is high brow theology or just good ol' down home digestion and regurgitation by someone else, preferably someone trained at a seminary, we oughten to take up reading the Word without the help of the "experts," and the result of always bringing it somewhat back around to something less than God's grace.

Crowm said...

I love The Blue Parakeet. Scot helped me remember how to read Scripture. I look forward to reading it again soon. Although much is man's opinion and suggestions, I agree with much of the work.

On the other hand, I understand the importance of chewing on the Good Book and realize what a witness it is for the One who brings life.

nAncY said...

the word

is alive

and

life

Ted M. Gossard said...

Lanny,
Interesting words, and in part I agree. We need to read the word for ourselves. But we need to read it alongside what others have said and are saying in the church as well. But there are those times regularly when we need to be in it ourselves.

The danger the Reformers and others in church history have recognized is letting every believer come up with whatever, themselves. We can all be creative, but it must be in harmomy with what God has helped the church see. Yet at the same time all must be verified by the Book.

L.L. Barkat said...

oh, different ways. sometimes a comfort, sometimes a scream, hardly ever neutral.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Crowm,

Yes, a great book, and one I think that helps us let Scripture do what it wants to do, and be what it is: the word of God.

Ted M. Gossard said...

nAncY,

Amen to that! Important to remember and even more important to live (which includes "listening") accordingly.

Ted M. Gossard said...

L.L.,

Yes. After all, it is God's word, no less. I just hope day after day I can be more and more open to its effect and power and change God wants to bring into my life.