It's personal to me

Have you ever read the Bible, or a devotional entry, or a Bible study, or heard a sermon, or a testimony, or a song, that felt like it was directly written for you? It's as though the author or speaker had a special insight into the private details of your current life situation and the feelings you are having about it in the deepest corners of your soul, and nailed the bulls-eye on what you needed to hear.

I have this book called Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young... and I'm not normally a "5-minute daily devotional thought" kind of girl, but I have gotten in the habit of reading the daily words of this book during my morning nebulizer routine. And it seems like every day has a truth, promise, or challenge that I need for that specific day... sometimes I don't realize it until later in the day, and sometimes I think, How did she know I woke up with that thought or attitude?

Mom and I have been going through the video series of Beth Moore's Esther Bible study whenever I'm at home, and it seems like every video knocks the wind out of me, leaving me breathless and wondering, How could she have said the very truth I have so recently forgotten to apply to my life?

In my personal quiet time, I've been studying the book of Mark and meditating on 1 John. And as I journal and process what I am learning, I am amazed: How can the words written 2,000 years ago be so relevant and speak so directly to my heart?

I think it's because God is the true Author behind all of this, inspiring people to write down, speak, or sing his truth that doesn't change. His word is living and active and sharper than a sword. It penetrates and divides our soul and spirit, and judges our thoughts and heart attitudes (Hebrews 4:12). When I ask the Holy Spirit to teach and counsel me, when I open myself up to his discipline and challenges, when I long to remember his truth and promises... he does! He makes printed words come alive in my heart; he makes ancient stories relevant to my situation; he makes letters written to early churches and books that have sold a million copies personal to me. And it's because he is an alive, relevant, and personal God. He knows my heart and my thoughts, and he does have incredible insights into the private details of my current life situation, and he knows the things I will face throughout the day before I do. And he desires - longs - to be known by me, too.

I am so thankful that his promise is true: ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened.