Nougat 26

Amongst the songs that dominated my childhood were ‘From A Distance’ and ‘We Are the World’. As an active member of our school’s Inter-Schools’ Christian Fellowship (ISCF), these were part of our repertoire of last-minute songs when we failed to fully prepare for devotions. (You see, ISCF had weekly responsibility for morning prayers and we also subbed for others, so …). Imagine my horror and surprise when I realized that neither song was positive about Christianity, or about God’s goodness for that matter. Today’s Holy Nougat was actually the scripture that led to my awakening:

“And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.” Acts of the Apostles 17:11 NLT

I’m sure you can imagine how deflating it was to discover that our holy conviction as we sang had no bearing on the writers’ intent. (It also was disappointing to accept that some of my favorite singers were included in the recordings of those songs).

Saints, it is sometimes easy to get misled. Ask Eve (Genesis 3). She got sidetracked by a trick question (verse 1b); and based on our records of the event, Eve didn’t consult with Adam or God about the technicalities of the question. With the subtle renuancing of facts; and good marketing (verses 4-5), the serpent sold Eve into the very thing she was warned against. Of course, in short order, having had ZERO consultation with God; Adam also yielded to temptation.

We can spend loads of time debating whether Eve influenced Adam or if Eve had actually gotten the instructions from God about the fruit; but not right now. For if that becomes our focus, we also run the risk of distraction, which sometimes results in our failure to heed God’s Spirit. Agreed, we have no ‘proof’ that the Bereans were devoted Jews; but their access and devotion to Scriptures suggests that they were. And this ‘Jewish’ community was not only receptive to what Paul and his team offered; but they did their own research Daily to ensure that they were not sidetracked.

We HAVE the Word, God’s Word. And God’s Spirit communicates the truths of God’s Word to us (John 14:25-26; 16:12-14). Our task therefore, especially as believers, is to make room for that Truth to be revealed.

“How do we do that?”, you might ask. Well, it begins with a slightly different question. According to Luke 11:13, Jesus says we can simply ASK God for God’s Spirit. And Acts 2:38 promises that God’s Spirit is assuredly ours when we repent and are baptized. Yup it’s that simple.

But don’t take my word for it; lest you find later you’ve been sold a lie; or given a nuanced argument.

• Choose to read for yourself and Ask God’s guidance on the matter.

• Be open to the move of God’s Spirit by intentionally inviting the Spirit’s guidance as you read

• Where provided, look up the cross references or use Strongs to get the context of what you read

• Find other people who are hungry for God’s Word and let’s all grow in God

If Faith comes from Hearing and Hearing comes from the Word of God (1 Corinthians 5:17) then we as believers have a responsibility to Grow our Faith. Yes we do. No excuses or exceptions. Each of us; in The Word with the Spirit of God as our Guide to confirm or correct what we have heard.

We don’t have to sing someone else’s sad songs or buy into the lies. Like the Bereans, we can learn and search and seek. In so doing we’ll find God having sought with all our heart.

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May all we seek be found in Christ