Search Me...

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword … and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 

Does God's Word ever cause you discomfort? When you read the Bible, does what you read make you uneasy? When you listen to sermons, do the Scriptures seem aimed directly at you? You are experiencing the reality that the word of God is alive and can read your thoughts and judge your intentions. When God's Word speaks to you, it is always for a purpose. God knows your heart and knows what you need to do to bring your life into conformity to Christ. If you have a problem with sinful talk, the word that comes to you will address the tongue. If you are struggling to forgive, God's Word will confront you with His standard for forgiveness. If pride has a stronghold in your life, God's Word will speak to you about humility. Whatever sin needs addressing, you will find you are confronted by God's Word on the matter. One way you can escape the discomfort of conviction is to avoid hearing God speak to you. You may neglect reading your Bible and stay away from places where it is taught. You may avoid those whom you know will uphold the truths of Scripture. The best response, however, is to pray as the psalmist did: “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Ps. 139:23). Regularly allow the word of God to wash over you and find any sin or impurity (Eph. 5:26). Always make the connection between your life and what God is saying to you through His word. Make a habit of taking every word from God seriously, knowing that it is able to judge your heart and mind. - Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day

Search me, O God, and know my heart today,
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray;
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.

Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine;
Take all my will, my passion, self and pride;
I now surrender, Lord, in me abide.

The song, "Search Me Oh God" immediately came to mind when Blackaby mentioned Psalms 139.  It fit so perfectly. 

I will confess that I am the sort that beats myself up over when I perceive I have failed God.  I am convinced that I know not every sin that I have ever done but those I am aware of it hurts.  I more often than not willingly go right on into where I shouldn't be going.  

I read my Bible to be fed. To make it a part of me.  To fortify my mind against sinning against my Savior.  All too often I am caught up in the moment and Scripture eludes me.  But I do often remember after sin has happened.  

I honestly used to get really disappointed and discouraged when I tried memorizing Scripture.  I was seeing so many people being successful at it but I struggled.  A number of years ago, during one of those discouraging times, God simply said to me "Hey, I gave you Google, use it."  His Spirit gives me enough to look up and there I am where I needed to be in my Bible. 

I know of so many who run from God because of His talking to them both in visiting a Church or when a Pastor speaks.  They go from conviction to fear and run.  That was never the intent of God for them or maybe even you.   Jesus loves you and if indeed you are convicted by what you hear or read, wait and ask Him if there's more.  If fear comes, ask Him to take it away.  So that you can hear what He says the way He's wanting to say it. 

Jesus says that any that come to Christ He by no means will drive away.  

He came to seek and save you and I who were lost.  

Remember the stories of people lost at sea? Of how they had only one desire, which was not to die? That they didn't care of what condition their rescuers were they just wanted to be saved?  They didn't care that they had to lose everything, to be safe and saved meant everything. 

Really consider your life.  Are you honestly treading water?  Trying to hang onto everything but the reality is Jesus is there to save you if you would but let go of everything else?

The Bible indeed is alive.  It's one of the key responsibilities of the Spirit of God, not the Church, to protect the Word of God.  This is why the Bible is available in practically every known language in the world.  Many denominations cripple the mission of the Church by forcing people into a single version.  Is the Spirit of God not able to use other versions to save people? I refuse to actively put the Spirit of God to that test. I refuse to say that people can only receive Salvation through a single version when billions have been saved through many versions. 

Jesus wrote a love letter to you my dear reader.  It's called the Bible.  From beginning to end He tells of what happened to humanity and why a Savior was needed. He tells of how deep the Father's love for you is.  He tells of how far He went to take your death penalty upon Himself so that you might live.  It may shock you that all this is true, but, you would really need to believe it for yourself. Read it for yourself. 

There's a day coming soon when what you read in there will come to an end.  Every book that has a beginning has an end.  The Bible is no different. 

Jesus is returning to claim those who are His.  They look forward to eternity with Jesus.  I know that I do.  

Think about what has been bugging you about the Bible and those who have tried to talk to you about Jesus. At its roots it's more than likely grounded in fear.  Let go of it my friend and ask Him anything you will about how to be saved and indeed He will.