Paul Email -4Nov2013- Understanding

How you doin? The man from our Friday night Bible study is still weighing on my heart. He appeared tormented and bullied by "those you lay in wait" (aka demons). The way he sounded confused, argumentative, and attacking. He was aimlessly quoting Scripture and boasting about the fact that he could quote a certain number of Scriptures to prove his point. He never did but said he could. He also boasted that he has offered his body & live as a living sacrifice to God. That he didn't do anything until the Holy Spirit told him to do it. Even to the point where he stands in front of his closet and ask "what shirt do you want me to wear?". In thinking about what this man was saying and praying for him this morning, I was reminded of the Scripture that prompted a major shift in my relationship with God. Jeremiah 9.

3 years ago Stacey and I were in Jeremiah during our morning devotions. Up to Jeremiah 17 I would ask Stacey every morning, "what did you think of this chapter?" or "did you understand anything?". Stacey would tell what she understood the chapter the say and I would journal about what Stacey said. Some devotional partner I was. So we get to Jeremiah 9 which is just AWESOME!!!!!!! I love the entire book of Jeremiah, but verses 23 and 24 of chapter 9 changed everything. Verse 23, This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches," So I'm thinking ok don't boast, I've heard this all my life. Then verse 24, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord." WOW!!!!!!! I was never so excited and disappointed at the same time in my life. "But let the one who boasts boast about this". I was so excited to get permission to boast... until I read what I could boast about. I knew I didn't understand or know Him.


So that day I experienced continuous prayer for the 1st time. I prayed "God please grant me understanding". I prayed this prayer all day for 8 days. I read Jeremiah 9 at least once a day for those 8 days. Then it happened. The 9th morning when Stacey and I did our devotions, the Holy Ghost manifested Himself in me and rocked me to the point that I'll never forget. I was shaking, weeping, oil was coming out of my hands, but most of all I had understanding of the Scripture we read that day. That day the Holy Ghost opened my mind to understand Scripture. COME ON!!!!!!! It hasn't gone away. The physical manifestation of course did, but the understanding did not. That's not to say I understand everything there is about the Bible or God, but I've learned pray and ask for understanding of the things that stump me. I've also learned to not allow my lack of understanding stop me from pursuing an intimate relationship with God. SO GOOD!!!!!!!

Stacey and I started at Genesis 1 when we started our morning devotions. In the beginning, we missed more mornings then we made. So it took us about a year to get to Jeremiah. We often see Satan offer play his hand. Usually, he and his demons are so discrete that they go undetected until The Holy Ghost convicts us of our sin. This past Friday night I saw Satan offer play his hand and use this poor man to attack our Bible study. It's flattering in some ways. I'm thinking this study will lead to some significant break through. DIG IT!!!!!!! I do feel bad for this man. He said things like "I know you are all against me... except Sonny" and "I'm used to being hated". These thing certainly don't line up with what the Holy Ghost has taught me about how God sees us. God allowed me to see this man as a victim. The thing he said the most was "I don't understand". He said "I don't understand" at least 20 times. That's where I saw the torment and demonic influence on this man. He is certainly the victim. Not much different then most of us. It was Satans offer played hand that exposed his attack and oppression. The oppression that keeps us from understanding who God is, "that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight". He's not angry and argumentative. He's in a good mood. WOW!!!!!!! That's a good word. Pray for understanding so you can boast about knowing Him today.