Over the years I have learned many disciplines that have helped me grow spiritually. I want to really know God as the Bible says is possible. So I would listen to people and how they were doing or how they learned to have intimacy with God and then go try it myself to see if it worked. Of all, I find that the most effective, personal, works every time, is to simply pray before I read my scripture for the day, “God show me what you are saying here.” Then I read until something catches my eye or catches my interest in some way. Then stop, write it down and continue to write what comes to mind. In this case writing the words and responding to them would be prayer; it’s rude not to answer when God says something. Example:
Psalm 84:5-7, 10a. NIV “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength till each appears before God in Zion. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere…”
(The Valley of Baca is the Valley of Weeping.) I read this passage a few times to see what was drawing me to it. I always thought that life was going from one pit to another, because there were times that it wasn’t going so well. However, when I looked at this passage I noticed it said, “They go from strength to strength.” Thinking about that, I know that when there is a wounded place in me, and I take it to God, there is a healing that forever changes the perception of that event. It’s strength! So as a healing happens, I’m standing on strength; I am stronger because of the healing that came from the hurt. Looking at it as strength rather than a pit is a change in my perception. This part of the Word is now living in me; it’s now my truth. This passage also says that, “They go from strength to strength until each appears before God in Zion.” I know too, that it’s God’s job to bring those places in me to my attention so that they can be dealt with and I can walk in freedom. This is another affirmation of that, He doesn’t miss any, and “each appears before God.” Thank You God for this truth for me.