Last week I shared an exercise I did 30 years ago from the book, “God’s Man in the Family” by Floyd McClung. I hope you took the challenge and developed your own list. If not, I strongly encourage you to go back and watch that video and jump in there!
Today I drill down into the first two priority areas for me as God’s man in my family. . .that we would love God’s Presence and love God’s Word.
The Bible says, “God inhabits the praises of His people.” Though He already inhabits or lives in every believer, His manifest presence shows up in greater ways in the midst of praise.
He is worthy. And He wants intimate relationship with us. Worship facilitates both of these things. His Presence is so much more than a co-pilot. We as men like to work alongside each other and that is a key step – we should come alongside God. But in addition to that He wants to meet with us face to face. For most of us that means being willing to push past emotional discomfort and being vulnerable.
One of the ways we encounter God is through His Word. God’s Word is alive! Hebrews 4:12 says, “The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword.” It’s powerful!
God’s Word is also sweet. It is like honey on our lips and in our mouth. (Psalm 119:103)
God’s Word is really one big story. . .past, present, and future. Therefore, I encourage everyone to have a goal to read the Bible cover to cover over the course of a year at least one time in their life.
It also helps to recognize the cycle of “desire, discipline, and delight.” In the process of reading God’s Word you will experience all of these. There are seasons you will have a desire to be in God’s Word. In those times press in and develop a discipline that will carry you through seasons where the desire is gone. As you do so you will at some point find new delight in God’s Word which will fuel a fresh desire.
Ask God for a love for His Word. Then read it and memorize it. Then you can meditate and chew on it. Once God’s Word is inside your heart the Holy Spirit and God’s Word can work together.
This week commit to spend time in God’s Presence and choose at least one verse from God’s Word to memorize and hide in your heart.
