Deeper - Part 8

The definition of breathing is: the process of taking air into and and expelling it from the lungs. It’s the most common of all bodily functions - so much so that we don’t ever think about breathing until we struggle with it. As a swimmer, I ofter hear from people in perfectly good shape that have a hard time swimming laps. I know that it is always because they don’t know how to breathe properly while swimming.

Breathing consists of two parts - inhaling and exhaling. They work interdependently to keep us alive. Life cannot exist with only one or the other. The author of Deeper makes a great illustration using breathing in our spiritual lives. Inhaling is taking in the Word of God through Scripture. Exhaling is speaking to God through prayer. A reason that one might not be experiencing the spiritual growth you expect could be due to a “breathing” problem.

Inhaling - An except from the introduction to the Gideon Bible states this: The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

Everything around us changes over time. People, jobs, houses, and even churches all come and go. However, the Bible is an unchanging constant in our lives. His Word never changes through all of the comings and goings of life. The reason that the Bible does not shift and move like everything else is because God doesn’t shift and move. We can count on its timeless truths throughout the entirety of our lives - until our last breath.

The Bible is not a list of “do’s and don’ts” or a just a “pep talk” to get us back on track when we falter. It is Good News. Scripture reports on what has happened, what is happening and what will happen one day.

Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

If we are serious about a deeper walk with the Lord, we will make Bible reading a part of our daily ritual. It should become as normal to us as anything we do on a daily basis. We should feel malnourished without it. Reading the Bible is inhaling.

Exhaling - Prayer is exhaling. We take in the life-giving words of God in Scripture and breathe them back out to God in prayer. Breathe in, breathe out.

This is one reason why our prayer lives have to be more than just presenting our wish lists to God. Yes, it can certainly include them but prayer is a worshipful acknowledgement of who God is. It’s how we treat God - as God. Prayer is His chosen way of how we communicate with Him.

P. R. A.Y. E. R. - Prayer Releases All Your Eternal Resources.

The Bible is God speaking to us. Prayer is us speaking to Him. Proper breathing (inhaling and exhaling) - will produce spiritual growth in your life. You may not feel the growth day to day but you will be transformed over time into a “radiant” man or woman of God. Your life will have the “aroma of Christ” that will be evident to others and enjoyed by you.

Stay hungry,

Big E

Matt. 5:6