Safely through another week God has brought us on our way. (This is the work of the Holy Spirit, who gives us breath.)
God lovers: that's all of us, friends. Luke's Acts has been called the gospel of the Holy Spirit; he showed an awareness of the continuing work of God in the world which seems lacking in the other three Evangelists. As Twyla put it, we see God acting and living in them, and in us.
The events we read in the 28 chapters describe some of the work of the H.S. It has gone on, without interruption, until today. The Holy Spirit works right here, in this little Bible Study sharing group, as we confess to one another what God has done and is doing in our lives. That, too, is part of the Living Word.
Fox said, "let Christ be your teacher", and he speaks individually to us, according to our condition. Sharing his lessons we all grow in grace and in knowledge of the ways of God: in our lives and in the world.
There is of course an original intent to the words, written with certain people in mind, and we do well to attempt to ferret it out. But Luke seemed to have more awareness than most that he was writing for the ages. God took his words and made them much more than they were out of Luke's mouth. As he does ours.
A study well begun; God give us grace to continue it thus through the book.
3 comments:
Thankyou Larry...you speak to my condition.
A book, recently published which you may have heard of is 'Engaging Scripture.Reading the Bible with Early Friends' by Michael L. Birkel. It is a little gem. This passage resonates for me with the 'blog-ministry'on this site.
'Reading the scriptures is an invitation to learn more about our lives. When we read the scriptures,we look into a mirror and discover that our own inward life, both as individuals and as a community, is reflected in the lives of our spiritual ancestors. The life experiences of biblical characters are comparable to our own; their spiritual conditions are ours. We are taught by the same Spirit that inspired the written words of Scripture. At times the experience is joyful; at times the lessons can feel painful. To read is to be read.
To read scripture is to realise that we are participants in the great ongoing story of God's people. This suggests a great richness of the inward life and a profound sense of connectedness. The lives of our forebears continue in us offering us wisdom. To read scripture in this way is to claim our spiritual inheritance and to embark on a life with many layers of spritual meaning.' (pp28-29)
Well said, Larry :-)
Larry,
You often remind us of the "Living word," and I appreciate this. It is that dynamic quality of the scripture's spiritual wisdom, and of Christ indwelling, that speaks to us indiviually that makes this experience, indeed our lives, so full. Jeff's Birkel quote speaks to this beautifully. I feel this "great richness of the inward life and a profound sense of connectedness."
Thank you Jeff and Larry.
~M
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