Скачать или смотреть It's Funny How the Word of God Works: Finding What You Need When You Need It

Top o' the Mornin' to Ya!

TLDR: The same Scripture appeared three times in one week, and today I found the exact verse I mentioned yesterday. God's Word speaks differently depending on where you're at in life and what you're seeking.

I was reading or telling yesterday about people acting in the power of the Holy Spirit and casting out demons. And today, I found the verse. It's in Mark 9, the next chapter that I read in my daily reading time. It says in Mark 9:38, "John said to Him, Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us." That's kinda self-centered on John's part, like he has to follow us and be in our church, in our club, in our group of people, the disciples and the women working together to spread the news.

But Jesus said, "Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is for us. For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward."

That's neat how Scripture works and how it connects and reinforces what you need to hear, what you're looking for. And I say that "looking for" with reluctance because I know I'm looking for abundant wealth and abundant generosity. I'm looking for my blessings and my family's blessings. And yet if that's what I'm looking for(me me me), I cannot read Scripture properly.

The other day, Spencer and I were reading earlier in Mark. The following weekend, that same Scripture came up in our sermon at church. And then the very next week in our Bible study, that very same story and verse came up. So within like seven days, it kept repeating itself to me. And when we're looking for something, the men in the Bible study that I meet with regularly—I wasn't there today because I have this head cold—they really do a good job looking at the context, the bigger picture, the surrounding verses.

We also gotta look at how our emotions fit into this and the context and what our needs are. I can read one part of the Bible one time and just pass through it, let it be, absorb it, seek to understand it. And the next time I read it, it may speak directly to me and where I'm at in my life and what I need next and what I need to do and where I'm in sin and where I'm making poor decisions and choices. And sometimes that same verse might not say anything to me.

Yesterday, I talked about how often I've been convicted lately of may not know Christ. And today in today's verses too, I saw the father of a demon-possessed child that cried out and said, "I do believe. Help my unbelief." I believe. I believe, but I have doubts. I have questions. I'm human. It's not in Mark 9, but His thoughts are not my thoughts. And I only know what He gives me wisdom and clarity to know.

So for today, keep reading His Word. Keep studying His Word. I like the psalmist again that says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and check my anxious thoughts and see if there be any hurtful way in me and lead me in the everlasting way."

And as I come to Scripture looking for something, checking is that for me, or is that for Kingdom? Am I searching for me or am I searching for Kingdom? Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Help me see what isn't true. Help me understand and help me stay in Your Word and help me grow in wisdom and understanding. Amen

You be blessed!

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