The servant of God has to go through the experience of things before he is allowed to go through the study of them.  When you have had the experience, God will give you the line for study; the experience first, and then the explanation of the experience by the Spirit of God.  – Oswald Chambers

Though I am praying the rain clears for tomorrow's event, in some ways I feel encouraged of God's presence in that forecast.  Last week's blog was encouragement that when God teaches, he sends rain.  What better way to spend a raining day than to steal away and be with God? 

In Matthew Chapter 14, Peter had his eyes fixed on a confusing manifestation of Jesus standing on stormy waters.  Yet he took courage and asked with hope for a reply, "Lord if it is you, tell me to come?"  Jesus invited him in response, "Come."  It was only supernatural power that allowed Peter to walk on water. It's symbolic of our walk now.  It is meant to be supernatural.  And in that walk, we will cry out in fear as Peter did.  But Jesus' hand will be right there to grab hold and sustain.  He confidently whispers as we catch our breath in relief, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" 

Whatever your life circumstances, do not stay in the boat.  Are you asking God if it is him standing supernaturally on stormy waters, inviting you to walk in His power?  If He is bidding you "Come"?    

I am excited for all those coming to spend this quiet, fixed time with Jesus!  God will send rain!  Blessings!

How does the Teacher teach?

Next Saturday is a time to sit in God’s presence and receive what pours down.  God has a specific way of teaching.  He uses rain as one metaphor.  In fact the Hebrew word for “teach” is translated as “rain” or “watered” a few times in the Bible.  The idea for teaching, in that context, is for supernatural living water to fall and satisfy those who receive it.   Consider this scripture, where God paints a beautiful scene to express His heart intent for His Word to fall like rain:

Deuteronomy 32:1-2:  1 Listen, you heavens, and I will speak;
    hear, you earth, the words of my mouth.
2 Let my teaching fall like rain
    and my words descend like dew,
like showers on new grass,
    like abundant rain on tender plants.

This is a scripture to stop and let it play out in your mind’s eye.  It contains scenes with which anyone can identify.  Every living thing has experienced rain- the sights, sounds, smells, feel, taste.

Close your eyes.  Envision rain falling.  How refreshing the smell, how soothing the sound, how purifying to the air we breathe, cleansing to the leaves.  See the drops of dew, the lone drops resting like crystal balls magnifying detail and reflecting surrounding color and light. 

Recall in your mind, a spider web that has captured rain or dew.  Truly a masterpiece, a magnificent knitting of seemingly crystallized lace.  Certainly your mind can recall the smell of showers on fresh grass, the sound of plentiful rain for tender plants?  Tie these sensory images to the beauty God wants you to experience, the relief God intends for your soul, this when He speaks from Heaven and you receive it on earth. 

There are some desert plants that survive in the wilderness only on dew, because the rain is so negligible.  God designed the heat of the ground to condense with the cool of the night or morning air and form dew.  It is with these precious drops of dew those vulnerable desert plants survive.  All they can do is sit and wait for it.  But God is faithful and cools the air and the drops of dew form. 

Heavy rains on tender plants help strengthen their frame above ground and establish roots below ground.  Those penetrating rains help the growing plant establish greater resistance to inclement weather. 

The scenes from verse 2 above are sensory engagements God equates to Himself as teacher.  Jesus boldly declares He alone is teacher and instructor, Matthew 23: 8 & 10.  If you are going to learn, it will be by His truth falling and you receiving.

Also, as verse 1 says, He speaks from and to Heaven.  He lets those words fall to earth, to satisfy the thirsty and refresh the weary, Jeremiah 31:25, Matthew 11:28.
 
You cannot receive supernatural rain except you place yourself where it falls.  Take the opportunity next Saturday November 18th to come and sit with God.  Process your sighs of burden, bring him your troubles.  Let His teaching fall like rain to satisfy your deepest thirst.  Let his words descend like dew to minister sweetly.  Receive new life from heaven for new growth.  Open up to receive abundance so your frame may be strengthened and your roots be more firmly established in Him. 

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