I think we live in a world that is hungry for the Truth, which is a very good thing indeed. After all, if we are not hungry, will we seek to be fed? Yet, even in Church, we just might be looking to the wrong places or people in which to find that needed nourishment. In talking about all the right doctrine available to us, Dr Tozer states: “Without it no church can be a New Testament church in any strict meaning of that term. But exposition may be carried on in such a way as to leave the hearers devoid of any true spiritual nourishment whatever. For it is not mere words that nourish the soul, but God Himself, and unless and until the hearers find God in personal experience they are not the better for having heard the truth.” (p9) We are to learn how to understand God’s Word, but God’s Word apart from God Himself, will leave us hungering still.
We cannot only know the Written Word and forget about the Incarnate Word. We are not to interact with the Book, but also with the Author of the Book. Our relationship with God must be personal. This is one of the reasons Jesus came into this world. Yes, to open the doors for our Salvation, but it is only a personal encounter with Jesus that makes that Salvation possible and makes it actually ours. After all, many atheists read the Bible, but do not come to any saving Grace, because they already enter into Scripture denying the reality of God.
Only when we come to God with a willing heart to connect with Him, to surrender to Him and to receive His Love, can we be transformed by that Love. Only when we hunger for His Mercy can we find the feast of His saving Grace. Dr Tozer desired to stimulate the appetite of his hearers to seek more than just head knowledge about God, but to search for God Himself. This is what our Holy Father desires, what our Holy Savior makes possible and what the Holy Spirit pursues us to grant: a real, personal, intimate relationship with the God who created us, loves us and hungers for us to know Him.
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
June: Spiritual Dad: “It’s Not About Me- Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy” by Max Lucado
July: Financial Freedom “Complete Guide to Money” by Dave Ramsey
August: Summer’s Soul Restorer “A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” by W Phillip Keller
September: Covering Our Children: “Prayers for the Prodigals” by James Banks
October: Reformation of Our Hearts: “Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine” by Max Lucado
November: So Thankful To Be Chosen: “The Chosen 40 Days with Jesus Book One, Book Two & Book Three” by Amanda Jenkins, Kristen Hendricks and Dallas Jenkins
December: Emmanuel: “The Pursuit of God- The Human Thirst for the Divine” by AW Tozer
<>< Peace, Diane
