part 2 as promised

Well, I thought this post would have gone up last week. I did host a 10 year old slumber party last Friday. There’s my excuse….

I shared last time about one of the two most important things I have learned to do in my Christian life. Again, I’ll say…  it’s not the action that has any power, but it is what God does when I keep up this habit. He uses it as a tool to speak to me and to pour out His love and grace.

The first habit is visualization during prayer and worship. The second one is the personalization of scripture. I’m sure you would agree that the Bible is God’s communication to the world. There are different kinds of literature within the pages, as well as many writers with different points of view. However, God is the inspired author of the entire book, and each page has a message for you, for today.

What the Lord has taught me to do is to take every passage, no matter the tense, the pronouns, or the audience, and make it a personal message from Him. Here is an example of a personalized passage originally from the Amplified Version of the Bible:

Psalm 23

I am the Lord your Shepherd.

I will feed you, guide you, and shield you.

You shall not lack any good thing.

I will lead you to lie down in fresh, tender, green pastures.

I will lead you beside the still and restful waters.

I want to refresh and restore your soul.

I will lead you in paths of uprightness and right standing with Me.

You cannot earn it or find it on your own.

I do this for My own name’s sake.

Yes, though you walk through the deep, sunless valley of the shadow

of death, you will fear or dread no evil, for I am with you.

My rod will protect you and My staff will guide you.

Take comfort in this.

I will prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies.

I will anoint your head with oil, so that your brimming cup runs over.

Surely goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow you

all the days of your life, because I go before you and behind you.

Through the length of your days,

make My presence your dwelling place.

I was reading the psalm, and as I rewrote the words, I allowed God to lead me. He inspired me to change the pronouns so that it would be His voice speaking to me. The truth of the passage is still intact. He also suggested to me the added details which you will not find in the Bible passage.

The purpose of this would be to transform my regular Bible reading into a personal exchange. Often, I begin my study & prayer time with the Lord by running at the mouth. Sadly, in that case, our time begins in a tone that reflects my attitude, my emotions, my shortcomings. However, if I begin by reading His word and letting Him personalize it for me, then our time begins on His terms. According to His love and care.

By no means am I suggesting that we can take scripture, add words, and twist it to suit our wants and needs. I am simply suggesting that we personally receive the message that God has spoken in the pages of the Bible. This practice has allowed me to hear God more clearly as He speaks softly in my spirit.

This habit also provides the opportunity to learn to pray more effectively. The Lord has shown me that I can personalize scripture and make it a prayer to Him. I’ll take the same Psalm and show you what I mean:

Lord, You are My Shepherd.

I don’t need anything else but you, Lord.

Thank you for providing green pastures for me to rest in.

Help me to follow Your leading to quiet waters.

You have restored my soul, Lord.

You guide me in paths of righteousness… Help me to follow.

You lead me according to what will bring glory to Your name, not what will make me happy and comfortable.

When I walk through the valley, I won’t fear, Lord.

I know You are with me. I know that You never leave me.

Your rod of correction and your staff of guidance bring me comfort.

Help me to surrender… instead of resist them.

You have prepared a table to honor me and provide for me.

I know that the enemy will come and try to steal from the bounty you have provided for me.

However, You have anointed me. Your covering is over me. I belong to You.

My cup overflows because You have provided so perfectly for all of my needs.

I am confident that goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.

I cannot wait to dwell with you forever in heaven.

Maybe the Word of God has become dry for you. It’s possible that you are reading it because you’re supposed to… but you aren’t allowing yourself to receive anything from it. I challenge you to find a journal and start writing out passages of scripture in a personal way. Let God speak to you and love on you. It will change you forever!