I love both the "noticings" in this passage and this suggestion.
Last year, I slowly read through all of the stories of Peter at Holy Week and it was a rich, fruitful way to prepare for Easter. This year, I might take some time reading the Hallel Psalms (Psalm 113-118... Psalms traditionally sung during Passover).
I've been in the habit of reading the Bible every year, and I've often thought about choosing a chapter, a book, a passage, and concentrating on it for a while. Bible studies do that for me, but privately, I wonder what God would teach me if I adjusted my practice. I think I'm afraid I'd never get back to it! Thank you for reminding me that there is always new understanding available in God's Word.
Thank you for the insight on preparation and faith! I love what a slow reading reveals. I have been plodding my way through scripture for quite a few years now, in company with a dear friend who is now in her 90s! We started the Sermon on the Mount in January and are not scheduled to finish it until May. This is such a peaceful way to experience the Bible and makes memorization and meditation a realistic part of my daily routine.
I read the Bible regularly, honestly along with prayer, the practice holds me and life. But I struggle a lot with fear (of failure, of man, etc.). This was so helpful to Jen. It helped me see the doing in context of their humanity. They did what they set out to do and along the way the obstacles potential or concrete were dealt with then but their action wasn’t contingent upon it. It made me realize how often I spin my wheels over fears and in the process don’t let faith propel my actions. I’m so glad you shared with us! Per God’s economy, this echoes things the Lord has been showing me. 😉
Faith, in other words, is described as movement, not analysis; as trust, not calculated outcomes. You don’t have faith when you are tallying resources and weighing their sufficiency. You don’t have faith when you haven’t budged an inch, promising to move only after you have anticipated all possible mishaps and planned for their resolution. You have faith when you are “on the way”—and even still, there are yet matters as big as this stone.
Jen, your insights at the tomb ministered to me profoundly today. "They’ve made faithful preparations for something far too small. They had planned for an anointing—and they have a resurrection instead." So inspired to run after Jesus without all of the questions answered. I look forward to reading every substack post, thank you so much for your words!
My late wife Jeanette and I had the shared practice of reading through the Bible every year. Now after her death from pancreatic cancer I find great comfort and Direction by continuing that practice
I love the lesson of acting in faith. We can give up as soon as we see the challenge or sit around waiting for God to work a miracle. OR, we can begin acting as though God will work out the problems. I think sometimes we stop too soon and never get to see the miracle God has planned.
This is the third time God has given me a similar message over the last week (gee, I wonder if He wants me to hear this!?).
I love this and thank you for inviting us into this beautiful revelation. This made me reflect on my actions lately. I’ve been reading the Bible by listening. It’s my first time reading through the whole Bible intentionally. I’ll adopt reading slowly and meditating on the scriptures. Thank you. Subscribed ❤️🌸
Yes. Reading and rereading a few verses at a time, then meditating on them t got their meaning is a great way to study the word and get to the depth of its instruction.
Thank you for this beautiful post! I too love Elizabeth Elliot and her heart for the Bible!
These are the best passages to soak our soul in for sure! Slow reading of the Word is like watering a dry plant. If you dump water too fast, it runs off, not watering the plant at all. But if you slowly let the water run over the roots with intention, allowing the water to be absorbed before releasing more, then the dry soil soaks in the refreshment and is nourished. This is precisely why my heart is to share my TEND method with every woman, for her to learn to tend her soul by the Word of God like a gardener slowly tends a garden.
I love both the "noticings" in this passage and this suggestion.
Last year, I slowly read through all of the stories of Peter at Holy Week and it was a rich, fruitful way to prepare for Easter. This year, I might take some time reading the Hallel Psalms (Psalm 113-118... Psalms traditionally sung during Passover).
I've been in the habit of reading the Bible every year, and I've often thought about choosing a chapter, a book, a passage, and concentrating on it for a while. Bible studies do that for me, but privately, I wonder what God would teach me if I adjusted my practice. I think I'm afraid I'd never get back to it! Thank you for reminding me that there is always new understanding available in God's Word.
Thank you for the insight on preparation and faith! I love what a slow reading reveals. I have been plodding my way through scripture for quite a few years now, in company with a dear friend who is now in her 90s! We started the Sermon on the Mount in January and are not scheduled to finish it until May. This is such a peaceful way to experience the Bible and makes memorization and meditation a realistic part of my daily routine.
I read the Bible regularly, honestly along with prayer, the practice holds me and life. But I struggle a lot with fear (of failure, of man, etc.). This was so helpful to Jen. It helped me see the doing in context of their humanity. They did what they set out to do and along the way the obstacles potential or concrete were dealt with then but their action wasn’t contingent upon it. It made me realize how often I spin my wheels over fears and in the process don’t let faith propel my actions. I’m so glad you shared with us! Per God’s economy, this echoes things the Lord has been showing me. 😉
I appreciated this!
THIS —
Faith, in other words, is described as movement, not analysis; as trust, not calculated outcomes. You don’t have faith when you are tallying resources and weighing their sufficiency. You don’t have faith when you haven’t budged an inch, promising to move only after you have anticipated all possible mishaps and planned for their resolution. You have faith when you are “on the way”—and even still, there are yet matters as big as this stone.
ABSOLUTE GOLD.
Jen, your insights at the tomb ministered to me profoundly today. "They’ve made faithful preparations for something far too small. They had planned for an anointing—and they have a resurrection instead." So inspired to run after Jesus without all of the questions answered. I look forward to reading every substack post, thank you so much for your words!
This was excellent and encouragement to me this morning- thank you!
My late wife Jeanette and I had the shared practice of reading through the Bible every year. Now after her death from pancreatic cancer I find great comfort and Direction by continuing that practice
I love the lesson of acting in faith. We can give up as soon as we see the challenge or sit around waiting for God to work a miracle. OR, we can begin acting as though God will work out the problems. I think sometimes we stop too soon and never get to see the miracle God has planned.
This is the third time God has given me a similar message over the last week (gee, I wonder if He wants me to hear this!?).
I love this and thank you for inviting us into this beautiful revelation. This made me reflect on my actions lately. I’ve been reading the Bible by listening. It’s my first time reading through the whole Bible intentionally. I’ll adopt reading slowly and meditating on the scriptures. Thank you. Subscribed ❤️🌸
Yes. Reading and rereading a few verses at a time, then meditating on them t got their meaning is a great way to study the word and get to the depth of its instruction.
Thanks for sharing this.
amen!
Thank you for this beautiful post! I too love Elizabeth Elliot and her heart for the Bible!
These are the best passages to soak our soul in for sure! Slow reading of the Word is like watering a dry plant. If you dump water too fast, it runs off, not watering the plant at all. But if you slowly let the water run over the roots with intention, allowing the water to be absorbed before releasing more, then the dry soil soaks in the refreshment and is nourished. This is precisely why my heart is to share my TEND method with every woman, for her to learn to tend her soul by the Word of God like a gardener slowly tends a garden.