As the name of this blog indicates, we cover a wide variety of topics. More than just baseball, God and tacos, in other words, more than sports, religion and food. This week we have touched on my favorite desserts and my brushes with greatness, or at least those semi-well known that I had interaction with.
A bit more serious today. I want to write about a revelation in the scriptures that I can across yesterday. A revelation that surprised me, surprised me because it was right in the midst of a chapter, Romans 8, that is far and away, my favorite chapter in the entire Bible. It is so rich, so full of meaning and encouragement. I'm sure all of you could quote some part of Romans 8 if asked. Maybe one day I'll write a whole blog on it and the effect it has had on my life.
I try to read my Bible everyday. Most days, I do, some days I don't. No excuses, I need to be more disciplined. That is entirely on me. I pray about it, and I am better than I was, but not as good as I need to be. To help and encourage my daily reading, last summer I purchased a workbook on prayer. My thought being if I am going to improve my spiritual life, what better place to start. The book, by Rick Shepherd, is entitled, Praying God's Way, talking with the Father and Walking Together. Each chapter, or segment has thoughts to meditate on, scripture to think about the daily focus, as well as a chance for the reader to jot down their own thoughts, or is some cases, literally write down what they are praying.
One of the characteristics discussed yesterday was how we need to make time for study, for prayer. I admit I do not have a set time everyday to study or pray, I just don't. I am not, and for most of my life have never been very disciplined, instead I have been carefree and did my own thing when I wanted to. , which is probably one of the reasons I did not graduate from college.
But looking at the revelation that opened my eyes and blew my mind. The segment talked about intercession and even if we don't know what to pray for the (Holy) Spirit intercedes for us. You know the scripture, and so do I, as well as any verse in Chapter 8. Look at verse 26 and 27.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
You know when we pray, we are praying directly to the Father, the one who created all things, the one who knows our thoughts, and our hearts. But his gift of the Spirit is at work as well interceding for us, testifying for us if you will before God. God and the Spirit are one, but separate. They are so close, the Spirit doesnt have to say anything on our behalf because God knows the mind of the Spirit. I knew that, have known it for years, it is indeed a great gift from God. But here is the super neat part that I "learned" yesterday in my study. The Spirit is not the only one interceding for us. There is another individual and Paul tells us who it is just a few verses later. Skip down to verse 34.
Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Honestly, when I read that yesterday I thought, hold on a minute, has that always been there. Of course it has. Why then did I never "see" it or dwell on it. You mean the Son of God, Jesus Christ, the one who died on the cross is also in heaven interceding for us? Or to make it more personal, Two-thirds of the God-head, Jesus Christ and the Spirit are both interceding for us before the Father. Think about that, it is hard for me to comprehend, both are working on behalf of me. Me, Dalton Sullivan in 21st century America is that important that Christ and the Spirit are testifying for me in the presence of God.
If you were aware of this, and I assume a great many of you were, I'm jealous. But if you, like me, just read past it, not comprehending what the scripture said, well, it is life changing.
Blessings my friends, thanks for reading.
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