I presented my friend from Ironbridge*1 with a word a few weeks ago, a couple of minutes after he had prayed to God, asking for one. (What’s a word? When God imparts something to you, for the edification or support of another. )
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. – John 14:26 – (NKJV)
Curious how God works, isn’t it? I had never looked at this scripture in John before like this, although I did have Psalm 119:11-12 – Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes.
Hide His Word in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Definitely a truth. But there was something more, that was revealed this morning, by a man that I know and respect, Tim Ross, Embassy City Church in Texas. Was listening to my second ever podcast called, “I have to Introduce You to My Friend!”
I mentioned to my friend how it wasn’t until I had read the entirety of the Bible, that God would just reveal to me truths of the Bible or verses or stories, when I was least expecting them. John 14:26 is a confirmation of that. The Holy Spirit will bring to your remembrance… Tim made the comment, “It has to be in your mind, before you can be re-minded.” This statement obviously isn’t “all encompassing”, because the Holy Spirit can tell you what He wants any time He wants. But there is a truth here that is unavoidable and it is certainly as I have experienced. “…the Holy Spirit…brings to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”
Tim also made a couple other comments that are worthy of noting, and I’m paraphrasing. He talked about how so many people are walking around saying, “I don’t know the bible.” Then shifted gears about how in counseling sessions he would ask someone who was having troubles, “Do you have a Word to stand on? Do you have a Word from God to stand on?” Which they would more often than not say something like, “Well, I’ve been coming to church, because I want a word from God.” So, no, they didn’t have one. Ultimately what they are saying is that they either aren’t spending time in the Word or aren’t really asking, because once they open the Word, there Jesus and the Holy Spirit will remind them.
Spending time in the Word, being expectant of His moving in your life and in your heart, is something that, in my experience is not something that can be replaced by meditation or shutting my mind out to all the noise. The Word reveals all truth, but there is a catch. You have to have that mustard seed of faith. That glimmer of hope. Without it, the Bible can be just a story book, full of empty promises. Pray that truth will be revealed, then believe that it can happen and THEN spend time in the Word.
The bread of life is in that book. The question is… Are you ready for life???
**Update** I shared this with my friend early this morning and he just emailed me back. I thought it was relevant to share…
This is what they said, “Wow! God does work in mysterious ways. I’ve been up since 5am praying for God to open my eyes. So what happened? God reminded me that He’s already done that! What I’ve asked for according to His Word has already been done. I was looking for a sign instead of trusting what God said. The Holy Spirit reminded me this morning and your email is confirmation. I thank God for you and I pray His anointing will continue to flow on and through you.”
Isn’t God amazing. This is only something that happens through the power of Jesus. Amen!
*1 http://ironbridge.men