Sometimes I find myself very hungry, hungry for spiritual food that deeply satisfies. The past week God has provided a steady diet of His Word and I want to share a few morsels that have stirred my thoughts and heart.
I recently joined a women's Bible study on Revelation. The author has guided me through many years of study and growth. Studying alongside her again makes me feel like I have a good friend in this new place. She said that once we have received Christ, we are holding our chains, our chains are not holding us. I found this to be profound. Breaking an addition or simply a bad habit isn't easy, yet there is something empowering about knowing that once in Christ, we are FREE. Let go of the chains. Last week one of the women in my study pointed out the verse, "He is coming with the clouds." Then she referenced another verse about how we are "surrounded by a cloud of witnesses." I couldn't get over it! I never would've connected the two together. Are we the "clouds?" Maybe, maybe not, but the possibility of it is stunning.
Last Friday, I attended a women's ministry talent show. I was in awe of the gifts God has given his daughters. Along with singing and dancing, there were skits, a violin player who hula hooped, etc. God surely smiled on these women using his gifts, for his glory.
On Saturday, was a simulcast. The teaching focused on Luke's friendship to Paul. I never remember learning this in all my years of Sunday school. It was sweet to think about Luke caring for Paul through his sickness and standing by him during his ministry, imprisonment, etc.
Then something quite marvelous happened. On Sunday the pastor announced that the former Christian bookstore was inviting us to come pick out something for free. They needed help clearing out the store and wanted to bless their customers. It was so exciting to go around the store and pick out books, music, and teachings full of possibilities for spiritual growth...like a dream.
I went in hoping to get the book Praise Habit by David Crowder. Not only did I get that, but many, many more things. Tonight I was reading a chapter in which David discusses a nun's attire (habit). He talks about how nun's don't have to think about what they are going to wear, they simply get up and put on their habits. At the end of the chapter he draws the parallel to our clothing and our habits:
We have put on Christ. We are found dressed in His rescue, redemption, and righteousness and, aware of this rescue, we spew forth praise. We wear this very rescue into our relationships, into our interactions with pals and family and work and play. It is present in our embodiments or neglections of justice, in our contention or ignore-ance of the poor, of the widows, of the sick, of those in need. To wear the rescue of Christ into every moment is for every moment to become alive witht he possibility of revelation. With the awareness of rescue, things unsuspected with begin to revelate redemption.
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