I am not sure how you first came to know Jesus Christ. You may have first heard Him speak to you at an evangelism crusade or perhaps you sensed His immediate comforting presence during a certain extraordinary life experience. I have friends who have witnessed miraculous moments with Jesus Christ and I even have friends who have heard Him speak to them in their dreams. For reasons unknown to me, the Lord has never chosen to communicate with me through these sorts of experiential avenues. And I, in the past, have become a tad envious of those who have experienced God in these phenomenal ways. Please don’t read me wrong, Siestas. I am not questioning if God really does communicate with human beings in these miraculous ways, I ABSOLUTELY believe that He does. I am just saying that I myself have yet to experience Jesus Christ like this.
In brief, I was raised in a Christian home. Yes, I was raised by a woman who I like to call “the- Titus- woman- from-you-know-where” (but I say the word). I heard about Jesus Christ every single day. I was encouraged, if not enforced, to do a “quiet time” at a very early age. And I am so glad that I was but it remained vital for me to actually experience God for myself. So, in High School I began to question if I really “knew” Jesus. It wasn’t that I was living in a bunch of sin at that particular time; it was simply that I did not feel very connected to Him. I didn’t feel in my heart that He communicated with me.
So I called to mind a very basic verse in Matthew that says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matt. 7:7). I certainly hadn’t had any exegetical training at that point, but I figured that what this verse meant was that the Lord would communicate with me if I truly sought His face. So I said to the Lord in my teenage heart, “Okay, Lord, I am going to spend the next few months seeking your face with all of my heart and then if I don’t sense your presence, then I really am done with all of this Christianity.”
So what I had intended to be a few months of seeking God through rigorously reading the Bible has become a lifetime passion for me. Yes, even more than cooking. What I found when I read the biblical text was something other-worldly. To me the biblical text was self-testifying. It simply spoke up for itself. I didn’t have to defend it or try to make it sound true, I simply read it and knew it was truth. This skeptic’s heart began to melt like butter. My mind had never been so stimulated, my heart had never been more encouraged, and my own worldly intentions had never been so thwarted. When I read through the pages of the Bible, the Holy Spirit testified to my spirit that I was a child of God. And even today, dear Siestas, when I distance myself from reading the biblical text, I feel my mind beginning to drift. I feel my heart slowly harden and I feel more prone to depression and despair. And not surprisingly so, I begin to feel more intoxicated by the pleasures of the world around me. It is like John Bunyan said, “This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book”.
One thing that my research of the Book of Esther has taught me is the significance of intentional remembrance. I have purposefully been bringing back to mind my first experiences of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is what I remember most: I came to know Jesus Christ when I took the time to read the actual content of the Bible for myself. This is why I have devoted my life to a shameless study of the biblical text. This is why I work for Living Proof Ministries, because we exist to exalt the power of God through the biblical text. We exist to loudly proclaim that “the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Heb. 4:12).
I have been reminded afresh of the wonder of the Scriptures. I have found what my Mom said all of those years to be true. I have found that indeed, “there is no other book like it”. When you sit on your couch with your Bible in your lap, you are a witness to a miracle. This miracle is called Divine Revelation. And the miracle of divine revelation is not a “lesser miracle”; it is not merely what the rest of us “get” by default because the Lord doesn’t have to time to appear in another one of our dreams. There is no greater phenomenon than an almighty and holy God speaking to and through humankind. God has chosen to speak to you, dear Siesta, and to reveal to you the mysteries of salvation history: the knowledge of his glorious Son. Take a minute today to behold the miracle of the written word of God…take a minute to read the very best of all books. Behold and then tell of His glory.
I love you, Siestas, and wish sometime soon we could all have an old fashioned “pot-luck” around a massive round table together.
Melissa
i had a conversation with someone the other night about salvation–different experiences, believing, repenting, assurance, etc.–and you summed up everything I was trying to say then by saying, “When I read through the pages of the Bible, the Holy Spirit testified to my spirit that I was a child of God”…blessed assurance Jesus is mine! No one can ever take away the assurance that He gives.
He is Everything and always More Than Enough.
Melissa: thank you so much for this post. Your words have opened up a HUGE door to my current state of difficulties and struggle. It has been a HUGE learning curve for me, since accepting Jesus Christ as my savior just a few years ago (2004). I grew up in an abusive environment and my choices in life have been catastrophic, time and again. Since turning my life over to Our Savior, I wish I could say that my life has gotten easier, but it hasn’t. I am still facing HUGE giants. But, this time, unlike before, I have in my hand this wonderful Book, His Word contained within delicately crinkly pages. It’s our Father’s Word — and my *ONLY* hope.
Melissa – I love you too! and I can’t wait to meet you soon in San Antonio!
maria cristina
Nothing could be truer. One of my most “Divine Revelations” came rather quite unexpectedly a few years ago.
After we had been married almost 7 years, we had two beautiful boys and a pretty good life.
When I had had my boys, it was kind of like, “grow up, get married, and have kids” mentality. It was just what you do.
But then my life changed. My husband gave his life to the Lord, for real!!! And soon after we decided to expand our family. We prayed together for our child that would join our family.
From the moment we found out we were expecting, it was different. It was God doing a work through us, and it was amazing.
I remember the week after we welcomed our precious daughter Micah into the world, just sobbing on the couch. My husband came home and sat down beside me asking what was wrong.
I told him, “As much as I love her, and couldn’t live without her, she is not mine. I had to give her to Him. I knew He was the ONLY thing that could sustain me if He called her home, so I gave her to Him. Every day He ordained for her, would be His.”
We prayed together, offering everything to Him.
It was so amazing to know that we were completely given over to Him, our very existence was in His hands.
It has been almost 5 AMAZING years. I am blessed.
I just walked in from a book discussion of “The Shack” with some girlfriends. The discussion was about how we need to discern EVERYTHING we read with scripture, about how it is the FIRST AND LAST authority on truth and how we can trust it ABSOLUTELY when things that sound or feel right try to sway our thinking.
THANK GOD He chose to reveal Himself in this way…there is NOTHING so miraculous as the Living God in a leather binding.
I needed this so much. I love Bible study (even though I have no idea how to pronounce ‘exegesis’). But lately I’ve been immersed in preparation to teach junior high girls’ Bible study at youth camp and I’ve been so stressed about ‘preparation’ that I’m afraid I’ve tuned HIM out. Lord help me! Open my eyes, fill my heart and let nothing but Your truth fall out of my mouth!
Wait – so I’m not the only one who finds it hard sometimes to read the Word?! Oh thank heaven for this blog!!! I too needed this today…
-Aimee
Don’t worry Melissa, we will have that “potluck” in heaven. However, God will bring all the food. I’m looking forward to that. I’ll save you a seat next to me.
Sheryl Dean
[email protected]
Wow! I thought I was reading something Beth wrote at first! I so needed that today. I got up early this morning to get in the Word and I am praying I make it a daily habit and that the Lord will just “show up” each and every morning when I open the pages. I don’t want to just read the Bible, I want to experience it! Thanks!
Printing this one up today…to chew on more extensively when children are not saying “pee-pie” behind a chair or yelling “it’s my turn!.” Aye.
I have a feeling from what I could comprehend, as I read this, Melissa–that it is a life giving Word to me this day.
God Bless you!
Amen! Melissa!
God has blessed you with the gift of teaching.
If I did not know otherwise, I would say you sat in my church last Sunday. Our pastor’s sermon was on the importance of a daily quiet time in God’s Holy Word.
I’ve been blessed by your words today.
This morning God spoke a word to my heart:
“He must become greater; I must become less. The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.”
John 3:30-31
Love You!
Mary
Memory Stones my pastor calls them. Rememberance of the God Milestones in our life. He gave the illustration of Jacob placing his head on a rock to sleep and the rock served as a memorial stone to his ladder climb heavenwards. WOW!!! Thanks Melissa. As I look toward Him I hope my memory stones lead me straight to the ROCK!!!
By the way…Whats with this word “exegetical”. Just when I thought I had heard them all!!! I have to go look up another one EXESTENTIAL VERY EXESTENTIAL!!!
Love ya girl
Kristin
Thank you Melissa. What a wonderful post. My 18 yr. old son and I were on the patio this morning praying about a specific situation and I felt the Holy Spirit impress on my heart to read Ps. 92. My son was in need of a Word from God and he got it. A smile came over his face. There is nothing like knowing that God gave you a specific verse for a specific situation. His Word is life and He is Good.
Love You,
Patty
Oh Melissa,
You touch my heart with truth and bring tears to my eyes. I have felt what you have felt and been were you have been. Praise HIS Name that He loves us so through HIS Almighty written Word.
I am learning face down before Him, and He is so gracious to met with me there.
We siesta’s are so blessed to be a part of the LPM group.
God bless your day and enjoy His presence upon you.
Love ya,
Celeste
I LOVE when you post in!! It’s impossible for me to simply sit in my computer chair and read what you have to say — the rocks will cry out if I remain silent!! Amen sister, that is a word!!
You are absolutely right, and I needed to be reminded to be purposefully remembering where I have been, what He has done, and what He has promised.
Melissa,
You have such a beautiful way with words and such a beautiful heart. Thank you for sharing your emotions and your path to knowing Christ. It’s great to hear that others out there have been in the same place I sometimes feel like I am. I love the verse from Matthew that you shared. So simple, so precise, yet sometimes hard for us to do – all we need to do is ask Him! Have a great Wednesday.
I walked down the isle at First Southern Baptist Church of Artesia when I was 10. I loved Jesus dearly. I didn’t really “get it” until I did “The Beloved Disciple”. The light came on and Jesus was standing there looking at me and I could almost here Him say “Duh”!!! I cried and laughed and so did He! It has been the absolute end and beginning of me. I’ve never been so happy! Melissa you are a blessing. I’m so glad your momma bossed you, but Jesus grabbed you!
Judy
Hey Melissa!
I’ll have to print this one and take notes!:) I came to know Jesus, my Lord! the summer before eighth grade, and by that time, I was not heading in any good direction with divorced parents and family issues, childhood victimization, and a eating disorder among other horrific sin-not good. My older sister,siesta Matiaskardia, had gotten saved by that point, and kept inviting me to church youth. Once I came and heard the message a couple of times and fully realized what it meant, I zealously was transformed! ALL GLORY TO GOD!!! I loved HIM soo much and thought I would always stay by HIS side and never leave, so grateful was I and all about being a new creation and leaving my old life behind me (I wanted to literally forget it all, but now I know God wants to use it for ministry of some sort)And, like you said:
“And even today, dear Siestas, when I distance myself from reading the biblical text, I feel my mind beginning to drift. I feel my heart slowly harden and I feel more prone to depression and despair. And not surprisingly so, I begin to feel more intoxicated by the pleasures of the world around me. It is like John Bunyan said, “This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book”.”
That’s what happened-I got prideful and fell into horribly impure sin and knew that I had broken HIS heart…my heart and mind was deluded…BUT, He never left me and HE is bringing me back to Himself! If my christian life could tell anyone anything, it would be: DO NOT LET ANYTHING GET BETWEEN YOU AND THE LORD AND LEARNING AND LIVING OUT HIS WORD! DO NOT GO THERE! DO NOT GO THERE! He loves me-I know that…I never, ever, want to leave His side ever again, so I claim Ps. 121 and Jude 24,24 among many other verses. I absolutely have to…I am also so sorry for the long post, I wanted to share with you all my testimony, and let you know that God can fix and forgive even the most messed up of persons. (I am saying this with tears in my eyes-I am serious)PRAISE THE LORD-He never gave up on me…
I love you all,
katiegfromtennessee
Melissa,
Thank you so much for your words of encouragemnt. I too have always longed for that “mountain top” experience to really feel Jesus. Two years ago I started a bible study at my church, and I really knew nothing about the bible. With the help of your mom it has been life changing for me and so many women in my group. I agree with you so much that when we stop reading the Word for a while, we slip into our old ways. Depression is a big one for me too. But when I’m in the Word daily (or at least regularly!) I feel so much better and am better able to handle what life throws me. Thanks for letting me know I’m not alone in my feelings
Jennifer
Brandon, FL
I think you wrote that for me today. 🙂 Thank you!
Melissa —
It has taken me half a lifetime to realize those same truths. Thank goodness you learned this while you were still young. It is a continual process. If we don’t renew our mind daily, Satan WILL harden our heart and fill us with despair & hopelessness. Thank God for Christian moms, but more than that thank God that He is always willing to meet us where we are and reveal His truths to us.
From Sunny California!
That will preach sister!! (um…I mean Siesta)
What a legacy unfolding!
Love,
Yolanda
That was a most excellent and powerful word Melissa. Thanks for sharing, sometime we all need to be reminded of how important it is to seek those Divine Revelations. Showers of blessing on your day.
Amen Melissa! I can’t get enough of His Word. It is life to me! I can so relate to what you said about feeling an almost immediate drift of your heart when time has passed not in His word. I can’t go a day without it!!!
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, BUT the word of our God stands FOREVER.” Isaiah 40:8
oh dear Melissa, I so needed this…I am a tad ok a lot undisciplined about reading consistently….I have been praying for an accountablilty partner…someone who I can share what I am reading with….keep me true to this…but your post was something I needed to hear…accountablity partner or not…I have myself to say get on with it girl
love you siesta
Absolutely spoken from the heart of God! Thank you!
Melissa,
You are so right. I have had experiences of God speaking to me in dreams and I do love that. However, the daily conversations He and I have when I am in His word are so intimate and so precious. I have been enriched by learning from the major characters and events, but truly delighted when He teaches me something profound from, what appears to be the most insignificant character, event or phrase. (i.e.. Hairy Elijah and bald Elisha!) He is so wonderfully thoughtful and even playful. I truly adore Him! Thanks for a forum to share that!
Melissa,
Your post makes me want to cry and rejoice at the same time. I’m so glad you are real and transparent.
My experiences with GOD could already fill a small book. I’m afraid the unabridged version would look like “War and Peace” in size!
BUT I NEED TO TELL THIS!! Your love of the scriptures and making you eager to learn more and more is so divinely appointed!
I have researched how men gave their lives literally for us to have the word of GOD tranlated so that we can understand it and believe it.
Tyndale’s fiery anger and determination that “even a boy who drove the plough would know and read GOD’s word for himself” eventually led to conviction as heresy and being burned at the stake.
It saddens me to think that we take for granted what we have been given. I thank HIM for showing you that HE is real.
No one can catch it through another, they have to be given their own revelation of HIS presence and grace.
Thank you for this, Melissa and for being transparent and real when so many are not.
Blessings,
Teri
It is so great to hear how much you love the word. I began to crave the word of God a few years ago. I love reading it, and sometimes when I get a new glimps of Jesus through that book, I wonder why the entire world is not shouting out at that moment. But I have learned that it does not take much time away from that book before the world looks very inviting. I think I need a sticky note in my kitchen that says “intentional rememberance”
There is no adventure like life with Jesus Christ. Time for a little praise dancing I think!
Melissa,
Thanks for sharing some of your testimony! I was remembering the other day how I tried so hard to read the Bible when I was growing up but most of the time truly did not make a connection between the words on the page and my heart. As my relationship with the LORD has deepened greatly over the past several years, I now understand that His words are alive and active! Have an awesome rest of the day.
PS:Hope you are enjoying Atlanta, it’s a busy city:) I’ve learned to just stay in the house or close by between 4-6pm…
Thank you, thank you. Amen!
And I’ll bring the green bean casserole (to the massive potluck, that is).
What a great word. Years ago I discovered I loved the written word so much because it always reveals the Living Word, Jesus Himself, to me.
In fact, I just have to share this nugget. I’m reading through Exodus just now, trying to take in large chunks of the Word (b/c I normally love to do more word studies, but I love the truths He shows me when I will just plow through and not necessarily want to look up every other word). In Exodus 12:42 it states, “…the Lord kept vigil that night – the first Passover – to bring them – the Israelites – out of Egypt.” It struck me that 1,500 ish years later Jesus would “keep vigil” for me and you when He prayed in the garden, went on trial, was beaten and mocked and finally died. That was Passover night. What won’t He do for us? Nothing. He’s done it all.
And, Melissa, like you mentioned about the “remembrance factor” in Esther – same with this passage. The rest of this verse states, “…on this night all the Israelites are to keep vigil to honor the Lord for the generations to come.”
I’m so glad God’s committed to my freedom – and to making sure I remember that, indeed, I’ve been set free!
Yikes! Look how chatty I’ve been!
Blessings, Warm in Alaska.
I just happened to stop by and found your wonderful blog, how great this is! I just finished reading your post “Why Do You Worry” and all is well within me now. It was no coincidence that God brought me here to read, thank you!
Ria
My sisters and mom and I have had this exact discussion and I forwarded it to them before I even got halfway through your post. You are so on – it isn’t a lesser miracle and we can never forget that. God speaks and He speaks into each of us so differently with the same Truth.
And even if that potluck is somewhere in eternity future, my sisters and mom and I will be there – and we’ll bring something good. 🙂
Melissa, one of my favorite songs that brings tears to my eyes with such truth is ANCIENT WORDS. One can view the song with words on youtube.
I heard a speaker once who coming to the United States from Russia where Bibles were not allowed, was saddened by all the bibles left in the “lost ‘n found,” at church and no claimed them. She couldn’t imagine someone losing their bible and not looking for it. She said it in a much heart-felt way than I could repeat for her.
Melissa, Thank you for your powerful words and for reminding us that the Bible is our “Book of Life”. When we’re not in it, Satan can have a hayday with us. I am working on reading through the Bible – it’s filled with EVERYTHING we need. You are such a blessing to me and I enjoy hearing from you.
Thank you Melissa for sharing this. I was raised in a Christian home too, and went through a time in my teens where I doubted and questioned everything I had been taught, when I started seeking the Lord for myself. I’m going through the Believing God study right now (viewing Session 9 tonight). It is cool how intentional remembrance is a part of your Esther study! It will never cease to amaze me how our God TIMES things SO PERFECTLY to seasons in our lives. His timing has been PERFECT with the order that I’ve done the Bible studies in & exactly WHEN I’ve done them.(Breaking Free 7 years ago, Daniel, the updated version of A Woman’s Heart, Stepping Up, and now Believing God.) He defintely speaks very intentionally and personally to each of us right where we are at through His Word! Hope to see you this weekend at the Deeper Still conference!
I have felt God speaking to me over some months time. I ignored Him at first, like so many of us do, but knew I would “get around” to doing what He was asking in time. I have also been praying about a situation in my life for which I needed great help but felt my prayers were not being answered. The day I finally began to follow God’s instructions, He answered my prayer in a miraculous way. God communicates with all of us in words and actions!
Praise You Jesus! And bless your precious heart Melissa! I had similar experiences growing up. The confusion and the guilt for having the confusion is hard to understand unless you have been through it yourself. I thank Him that He gives all the answers, that He IS the answer. My friend and I are reading through the bible. At her suggestion we are going to try to do it in 3 months (give or take a few weeks). She feels like we need to devour the word, not just have little snacks here and there. It truly is alive and active! Hope you’ll be at Deeper Still this weekend.
Blessings,
Deanna
Oh, Melissa! You HAVE a FRESH WORD from GOD, my sweet Siesta! Thank you for the encouragement you have given me this day!
I think I’ve asked this before, but I’m going to ask it again just in case I haven’t. Would you please share your typical approach to studying Scripture? I would love to know how you tackle research!
Thanks, Melissa. Again, you gave such a great word today. I am grateful for it!
Prayers and Blessings,
Rebecca
Melissa–awesome word. I completely agree. I need the miracle of Divine Revelation every single day of my life, even more than food itself. Funny how things of the world cloud our vision and distract us from the Word which we need most. Bless you young lady and thanks for the word.
Thank you so very much Melissa..I needed that so very badly today. It is so easy to get caught up in the troubles of this world and to lose our focus.
Stacy
Proclaim it, Siesta!
Thank you Melissa for encouraging me in the Word! It was exactly what I needed. The Lord has impressed upon my heart time and time again lately how very important it is for me to read His Word and I have just been flat out disobedient. I have been so irritable and impatient and you know why? I bet you can guess why…I haven’t been reading the greatest Book of all times. I truly believe the Lord used you to speak this to me. Thank you for being obedient. Now, I, too, must go be obedient. Love you sister!
Awesome word! Thanks so much! I am so encouraged and ready to take the challenge!
Amen Sister!
We will have that potluck around the banquet table of the Lord.
Melissa, I am so glad that we are getting to know you and your love of the Lord Jesus, too.
I am one of those who has “heard” Jesus speak in my heart but it only came after praying and studying His word.
It is just so AWESOME. There is a line in the Rule that we follow here in the convent that says “What line, what word of Holy Scripture is not the truest of guides.”
Blessings,
Sister Lynn
Bless you, Sister! And Amen!! I’ve always been an avid reader but I didn’t read the whole Bible, front to back, until I was 29 years old. I’m a little ashamed to admit it. Some mornings when I was reading I would get chills, and think to myself, “But He is speaking to ME in this verse! It was here all the time and I never saw it!” Melissa, God has children, not grandchildren (as Sheila Walsh would say); I’m so glad you were raised in the family you were (lucky duck!) But I am so, so happy you have your very own testimony of Christ. Your own proof–what a treasure. I’m sure you will be writing a book someday (if you’re not already).
Lord Jesus, continue to bless this blog & its readers. We love you.
This is EXACTLY where I am right now. I’m 29 and have been a Christian a long time, but where I am just isn’t enough. I’ve heard your mom say that there is more. I’ve heard you say that there is more. And I want to know more of Christ through more of His word. But with such a big ‘ole book, it’s hard to know where to start. Please pray for me as I commit to immersing myself in the Word for the first time in my life.
Thanks so very much for your post.
AMEN sister! That was an awesome post – no wonder Mama Beth is about to come out of her flip-flops today! If one of my daughters were to ever write something like that (20 years or so from now when they can, you know, actually hold a pencil and spell and stuff)I’ll be first in line for the Rapture!
My personal encounters with God, the times when I have felt His holy and unmistakeable presence around me have been absolutely life changing! And you know what? The Word of God is actually God’s words! My encounters with him have been unmistakeable because when I get a word from Him, it’s been a word, from The Word! If I don’t read my bible how will I know what God has to say to me?!
“Delight yourself in the Lord and I will give you the desires of your heart”. That’s not how Psalm 37:4 is written but when it popped into my head in the first person, you can bet I knew where it was coming from! Everything we need to need to know about our awesome Creator is in that book. We will never be able to fully plumb its depths, but I need to spend my life trying.
I’ve been reading it most of my life and have gone through times when I’m more committed to studying it than others. But since doing Breaking Free last Fall, I can’t get enough of it. It goes with me everywhere now just so I can keep trying to learn as much as I can from it. So I can hear and know when He is speaking to me!
Thanks for sharing that today!
Christine
What a powerful word from an amazing woman of God. And miraculous revelation in His Word is LIFE itself. Beth, look out! Here she comes– You’re a treasure, Melissa. Love, Annette