A Fresh Word from God

It has been said, “Prophets have it easy. They only need to prophesy when God speaks. Pastors have it doubly difficult. They have to preach whether God speaks or not.” This is not a complaint on my part. It is just the reality of what preachers often go through, especially when it comes to Christmas and Easter. I mean, how many different ways can you say the same thing?
What do you say when you don’t know what to say? Where do you go when you don’t know exactly where you are going? In a world, even a church world, that clamors for clear and exciting vision, powerful and motivational messages, what are we to do when we don’t always have a clear sense of God’s words for the church or a vision of that preferred future that will get others over the top of that next mountain?
That is sort of how I felt in prepping for this article. I didn’t have a motivational thought. I didn’t have some clear message . Of course, this may be due to my lack of paying close enough attention or not walking in step with God as I should.
However, having preached enough sermons over the years, I have come to an awareness that what I need to say has already been said before. That God has already spoken. And that if I truly need a fresh word from God I need merely go back to Scripture. 
Now, this is not to say that God cannot speak a word of comfort or correction or direction to my heart aside from reading a passage of Scripture. I think the presence of His Spirit allows for this. Of course, even then, what is spoken will align with what has been spoken already. 
In fact, the church has at times discovered that fresh winds of the Spirit can blow through a person, a church, even a nation when they return to His word and prayer.
So, nothing new and avant garde today. Just the basics. If you and I want a fresh word, maybe we simply need to go back to the word once spoken, praying for eyes and ears of insight and hearts attuned to the voice of the Spirit blowing through those ancient pages. As the writer of Hebrews puts it, 
 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

And the Psalmist says,
Psalm 119:11 
I have hidden your word in my heart
    that I might not sin against you.

The word of God is not magic, nor is it a five step program to living your best life. Rather the word points us to a living, breathing relationship with the God of the word through the word of God, the Spirit of God, and the Son of God--the word made flesh.

So, if you need a fresh word of God this Advent, be sure to spend some time in the word, allowing God to speak freshly to you all over again.

In Him,
Daren

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