The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian. ~A.W. Tozer
Have you ever looked back over a period of time and wonder where the days have gone? My past two weeks have been like that. I've been finishing up a challenging writing project, struggling through an annoying cold that is just tenacious in its grip, while preparing for a speaking engagement. Nothing big and exciting, just life's busyness.
I've missed all my readers though, and missed checking up on your blogs. I didn't realize how much nourishment I receive from you. Isn't it interesting how through the seasons of our lives, God blesses us with spiritual food from a myriad of places?
I'm picky about what I eat when I'm physically hungry. I love fruit, steak and cookies. But, I eat--and enjoy--more than those three categories. The same thing is true with what I feed my soul on. I love to read you who are writing authentically. I also enjoy hearing my pastor share the food God gives him for his sheep. But when I'm starved I reach for the Word and oh, does it ever satisfy--just like a thick slice of prime rib (with horseradish, of course). It's how God shelters me--sharing the Word that has fed so many before me.
I have my favorites list of Bible books (Leviticus not included). I also have favorite verses. But to live on them exclusively wouldn't give me the balanced diet I need. Melanie brought a couple homemade peanut butter cookies to me this week, but to ensure balance I had to eat more than those two cookies for lunch--even though I enjoyed them more than the boring ham salad sandwich.
There are times I need to read Leviticus and remember the sacrifices the Priests were instructed to make. I become blessed knowing Jesus made the final sacrifice for me. I can get bogged down in purification rules, but when I come to Leviticus 26 and read, "I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt...I have broken loose the heavy load from your back and made you to walk straight," an overwhelming joy reaches my heart as I'm reminded that God took my load and I no longer bear the weight of sin. It might be encouraging to read Psalms--verses like, "You are my strong tower. The righteous run to it and are saved," or "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer." These are the peanut butter cookies of Scripture. But sometimes the Levitical ham sandwich is needed for a balanced diet. A. W. Tozer said, "The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian."
I heard a beautiful song and stirring message this morning on the cross of Christ. As soon as I post this I'll visit some of your blog homes. But I won't neglect the love letters from God -- all sixty six. And I'll listen closely to hear what God has for me and my life.
Have you ever looked back over a period of time and wonder where the days have gone? My past two weeks have been like that. I've been finishing up a challenging writing project, struggling through an annoying cold that is just tenacious in its grip, while preparing for a speaking engagement. Nothing big and exciting, just life's busyness.
I'm picky about what I eat when I'm physically hungry. I love fruit, steak and cookies. But, I eat--and enjoy--more than those three categories. The same thing is true with what I feed my soul on. I love to read you who are writing authentically. I also enjoy hearing my pastor share the food God gives him for his sheep. But when I'm starved I reach for the Word and oh, does it ever satisfy--just like a thick slice of prime rib (with horseradish, of course). It's how God shelters me--sharing the Word that has fed so many before me.
I have my favorites list of Bible books (Leviticus not included). I also have favorite verses. But to live on them exclusively wouldn't give me the balanced diet I need. Melanie brought a couple homemade peanut butter cookies to me this week, but to ensure balance I had to eat more than those two cookies for lunch--even though I enjoyed them more than the boring ham salad sandwich.
There are times I need to read Leviticus and remember the sacrifices the Priests were instructed to make. I become blessed knowing Jesus made the final sacrifice for me. I can get bogged down in purification rules, but when I come to Leviticus 26 and read, "I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt...I have broken loose the heavy load from your back and made you to walk straight," an overwhelming joy reaches my heart as I'm reminded that God took my load and I no longer bear the weight of sin. I heard a beautiful song and stirring message this morning on the cross of Christ. As soon as I post this I'll visit some of your blog homes. But I won't neglect the love letters from God -- all sixty six. And I'll listen closely to hear what God has for me and my life.
Sing them over again to me
Wonderful words of life.
Sweetly echo the Master's call
Wonderful words of life.
Words so freely give,
Sanctify forever
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life.
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26 comments:
The Tozer quote along with your "ham sandwich/peanut butter cookie" comparisons is such a great reminder.
Hope you soon are completely over that nasty cold and that even the memory of it goes with it.
Leviticus is a little hard to get through but you found treasures there.
On the recommendation of my daughter Jamie, I just bought Larry Crabb's 66 Love Letters from God to You. Looking forward to beginning it.
I would love for you to share this post on my Think on These Things (http://gratefulprayerthankfulheart.blogspot.com/2012/03/think-on-these-things-6-springtime.html)
Kindly, Lorraine
Pamela, I just visited your blog a little earlier today - and was wondering how you're doing. So good to hear your message!
I love that old song - wonderful words of life indeed!
And yes, the Lord provides a well-balanced diet when we feed upon His living Word!
GOD BLESS!
We still sing the song "Wonderful Words," at our church. It's so true that all of the Bible is God-breathed is part of His story. I'm learning to enjoy and learn from OT books that I've not previously read as often as others.
I always enjoy your posts; they seem to just flow easily from your heart.
Hello dear Pamela,
I have always loved AW Tozer's writings. He is one of my hubby's favourites too.
His quote as well as your sandwiches/cookies and the Word comparison is excellent!
I love that old hymn too. Indeed, there is life in the Word of God! Thank you so much for your visit and I hope you're feeling better soon.
Blessings,
Sandi
How true!
And I know how you feel, I always struggle with books like Leviticus. I've read it through once (for Bible in 90 Days) but I had a very hard time with it and don't feel like I walked away with much.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I really enjoyed yours :) Blessings to you and your family.
Really surprised when read your comment in my blog. And i just have to know you. And I love your post. I feel that we have many things in common like sharing God 's love in our post and me too like chrotheting, a grandma and really love the bible. Happy to Get to know you
Thank you for this wonderful post, Pamela. I sure would love to hear you speak sometime. Do you ever come to Oregon, or are you on any You Tube videos?
I have missed you, I kept checking to see if you had posted yet and am sorry to hear that you were sick in the middle of everything else.
If you get a chance to visit me over the next couple of days, please scroll down to my Aunt's 20 acre flower garden post, I think that you will really enjoy it.
God bless,
Kathy M.
Oh, John 1 is one of my very favorite Bible books.
That verse from Leviticus was a blessing! ...Well, your whole post was!
God's "wonderful words of life" are just that, the Word that brings us life, and your post blesses me today, reminding me that even the less-interesting books of the Bible are God's love letters.
I have enjoyed visiting your blog for the first time - wonderful!
Love the concept of balance here. My kids would never choose to eat their greens if I didn't make them. And all the candy they want would leave them sick-- balance just makes sense! Leviticus is a bit like eating peas :) I think! Thanks for sharing your insights today.
Thanks for the encouragement to look for the yum and nourishment in all of Scripture. I'm about ready to read Leviticus in my regular reading. I will anticipate how God will feed me there.
As the week progresses, may you be released from any effects of the cold.
Blessings, Pamela.
Hello Pamela....Lovely blog you have. Thank you so much for visiting my blog, too, and for commenting. I appreciated your visit. Susan
What a joy it brought to my soul to read this post, Ms. Pamela. I don't visit you nearly enough...that will have to change. Our recent revival brought some things to light in my own life...things I'm certainly not proud of, but so glad I can now work on to improve. HOPE your cold gets much better this week!! In HIS Most Precious Love....Deb
I have moments when I've been drowning in Numbers and then, in the middle, is this most uplifting story. It is like a breath of fresh air to my soul. I so agree -- we must feast on the Word as a whole.
Hi Pamela :-) I haven't been to your blog for a while! But I'm glad I did today because of this lesson learned. I am trying to learn more about the Scriptures and what you said here is such great advice. I shall read and digest the Words of God as a whole and not in parts.
Hope you feel better soon, Pamela! Take care and God bless! :-)
Hi Pamela
I have enjoyed visiting your blog, loved the analogies you used. I will never look at a peanut butter cookie the same way...but it's a great reminder that we need it all...we need to be feasting on all of his word
Hope you are feeling better
Blessings
Thanks for the reminder to cherish each moment!
Pamela...I appreciate so much that you visited my Sunday Post . It means so much to me that you came and posted a comment. That was so kind and thoughtful of you! I am now following you. Your blog is simply beautiful.
Your thoughts have touched me deeply and I love your comparisons. It makes thing so real. You are truly a woman of God striving to do His will and live His commandments. Thankyou for your great example. So glad to have found you. Your words have uplifted my spirit.
Warmly,
Nann
Wonderful post! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and encouraging me...it has been a difficult day and I so appreciate your comment.
What a very lovely post and I enjoyed reading it. I love the Bible too. My favorite scripture is Proverbs 3: 5-6. I use this scriptures during the good and bad moments of life. I love reading the words of God.
Blessings to you for an enlightening post.
I love Tozer and appreciated that quote. I received Larry Crabb's 66 Love Letters last year as a gift--a wonderful way to dig into each book and appreciate each one, treasured letter from God.
What a terrific reminder -- one we all need from time to time! I'm also busy preparing for a talk/lesson I'll be giving for our ladies' b'fast in May (on the topic of joy). I covet your prayers if the Lord brings me to mind. :) Thanks.
Many blessings,
Lisa
This quote jumped out at me, "Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian."
So true -- We need the pruning and convicting parts as well as the encouragement and promises!
Great "food for thought!"
Hello Pamela. Tozer's quote speaks volumns to me. Actually is refreshing to read.
May you quickly get over that cold.
So glad you dropped by and visited me. It is good to hear from you.
Sweet blessings to you,
d
The song you quoted I've sun probably hundreds of times through the years, but not lately and it was good to be reminded of it. The quote from Tozer is so true, and I love your graphics. Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Charlotte
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