John 5:39-40 You search the Scriptures because you believe they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to Me! Yet you refuse to come to Me so that I can give you this eternal life.
Ron and I have been talking about how things can divert our attention from Jesus and hearing His still, small voice.
Here are some diverters:
Traditions (Matthew 15:1-9; Mark 7:8-13)
Demon fighting/angel loving (1 Corinthians 10:19-20; Colossians 2:18)
Factions/divisions/compartmentalism/denominations
Narcissism (Keep the focus on myself)
Sin/guilt/cares of this world
Other people
*It’s notable that a diverter is a valve used to change the flow of fluid through a system of pipes as well as a person or thing that diverts.*
We also call these things “bunny trails”. If you’ve ever seen bunny trails, you’ll notice they’re all over the place. No set pattern, just all over the place. Sound familiar?
The Corinthian Church is a great example of what’s it’s like to be all of the above. They had a hard time being still so they could learn His voice. They were into all the stuff they’d been in before they met Him so consequently, they were confused. Does this sound familiar? It does to me.
John 1:1-5 In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and He was God. He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that He didn’t make. Life itself was in Him and this life gives light to everyone. The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
This is a diverter because Jesus is the Word, not the Scriptures. The Scriptures testify of Jesus, and yes, absolutely, the Lord does speak to us through the Scriptures. But there’s always Him. He waits for us to hang out with Him and get to know Him. He says we know His voice. (John 10:27-28)
John 17:3 And this is the way to have eternal life–to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one You sent to earth. (John 17 is Jesus praying for us!)
Knowing Jesus and knowing the law are different. When we’re law based, we can be mean and judgmental, yet in knowing Him, we become as Him. Love based. Have you ever heard that you become what you’re focused on?
Romans 2:23-24 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. No wonder the Scriptures say, “The world blasphemes the name of God because of you.”
Colossians 2:16-19 So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new-moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules were only shadows of the real thing, Christ Himself. Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on self-denial. And don’t let anyone say you must worship angels, even though they say they have had visions about this. These people claim to be so humble, but their sinful minds have made them proud. But they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For we are joined together in His body by His strong sinews, and we grow only as we get our nourishment and strength from God.
I love in Matthew 16 where Jesus is asking His disciples who the people say He is:
verse 14 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”
Jesus then asked them who they say He is:
verse 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because My Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.”
I’m not saying we don’t and can’t learn from others, but there’s always Him, and He wants us to come to Him to learn. I love what Paul said.
Galatians 1:12 For my message came by a direct revelation from Jesus Christ Himself. No one else taught me.
He goes on to remind everyone of how he violently persecuted Christians and tried as hard as possible to follow all the old religious traditions.
Galatians 1:15-18 But then something happened! (Jesus <3) For it pleased God in His kindness to choose me and call me, even before I was born! What undeserved mercy! Then He revealed His Son to me so that I could proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. When all this happened to me, I did not rush out to consult with anyone else; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. No, I went away into Arabia and later returned to the city of Damascus. It was not until three years later that I finally went to Jerusalem for a visit with Peter and stayed there with him for fifteen days.
Loved ones, I want to encourage you to seek Jesus out and sit with Him. Ask Him for advice. If you’re not sure that you’re hearing His voice, ask Him to help you know His voice. He longs to hang out with you so very much and to teach you amazing mysteries!
Hebrews 12:1-2a Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge cloud of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.
Hebrews 13:15 With Jesus’ help, let us continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by proclaiming the glory of His name.
Isaiah 30:18,20b-21 But the LORD still waits for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for Him to help them. He will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes, and you will hear a voice say, “This is the way; turn around and walk here.”
This is what He is saying to you, and me,”Look to me! I’m your answer and I will teach you. I love you.”
Abba, for those who want to hear Your still, small voice, help them to know in their knower that it is You. May you always be the One we turn to. You’re so amazing and we praise you forevermore! Amen. Thank You, Abba, so very much for always taking the time to speak with us.
