If there ever was an author I LOVE it is Andrew Murray. His writings speak to my soul and touch the depths of my awareness and knowledge of God while urging me on to dive so much deeper and experience more of my Lord. Murray's connection with God had to be completely intertwined with his every step in life. No man can know the ways and dealings of God like he relates them without having spent a life in complete abandon to the Spirit of God.
It has been his writings that have spoken to and stirred places in my heart I didn't know could be described in words. His intimacy with the living Lord makes me hungry to know Him better and to give Him more of myself.
So I'm reading back through "The Power of the Blood of Jesus" for the umpteenth time. This little paperback book is so marked up, highlighted, and flagged it hardly resembles a book anymore. YET, I wrote in my prayer journal this week, "Have I ever read this book before now?"
How is it possible I am so dull of hearing! Every time I read it I am blown away and undone in my spirit all at once. His words about the blood of our Lord being the ultimate sacrifice that was poured out for our eternal redemption stirs so many thoughts in me about the missing elements in our modern culture.
Here are just a few thoughts that strike me to the core each time as if I've never heard them before.
"The blood must have the same place in our hearts which it has with God. Our heart will never rest, nor find salvation, till we too learn to walk and glory in the power of that blood." p. 21
"The precious blood of Christ has opened the way for the believer into God's presence;and intimacy with Him is a deep, spiritual reality. He who knows the full power of the blood is brought SO NIGH that he can always live in the immediate presence of God and in the enjoyment of the unspeakable blessings attached to it. THERE, the child of God has the ASSURANCE OF GOD'S LOVE; he experiences and enjoys it. God himself imparts it. He lives daily in the friendship and fellowship of God. In this intimacy with God, he possesses all that he needs; he wants no good thing. His soul is kept in perfect rest and peace, because God is with him. He receives all requisite direction and teaching. God's eye is ever upon him, guiding him. In INTIMACY WITH GOD, he is able to hear the SOFTEST WHISPERS of the Holy Spirit. He learns to understand the slightest sign of his Father's will and to follow it. His STRENGTH continually increases, for God is his strength; and God is ever with him." p95-96 (emphasis mine)
See what I mean? In the above quote Murray has to be speaking from his own experiences with God and God's dealings with himself. One cannot know these things without a living revelation ~ by experience of them.
How many Christians WISH/PRAY to hear softest whispers of the Holy Spirit! It isn't a hard thing but it is a thing reserved for those children of God who view it as a high privilege and are willing to draw near to God by His blood... the way has been opened. We must "give the blood the same prominent place in our hearts which it has with God."
I'm undone... again.
3 comments:
awesome! and just today, i was sharing with someone about the 'finished' work of Christ on the cross by His blood sacrifice. once and for all ... complete forgiveness of all sin, past, present, and future ... and in exchange, right standing forever and eternally with God the Father. when He sees me, i am clothed in Christ's righteousness and acceptable to His holy standard. this provides me peace, comfort, and joy no matter what my circumstance may appear to be. what a gift of grace, mercy and love we have received through the blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
gigi,
Good words and thank God for you sharing your faith.
Do you think most believers have a scant understanding that the sinless blood had to be sacrificed by the perfect Lamb of God for all mankind? Throughout the Bible it is the blood that weaves a golden thread as the way back to God. Jesus being the ultimate life poured out for our sin. As Christians it IS the difference in every other "religion"... Our Lord who is alive forevermore because He was raised from death by the power of the blood. When I listen to so many 'modern day' Christians talk (in general) the meaning and power of the blood seems to be missing from their knowledge bank. Sickness, defeat, worldliness, arrogance, sin, self-will are just as much a part of our lives as the rest of the world. I'm not judging... just listening to actual admissions and confessions. What do you think?
what do i think? ... in truth, i think you are most fortunate to hear Christians speak about anything reference their faith in Christ or open their 'knowledge bank' about the Bible in general conversation at all. most believers i know are just as busy as the rest of the world, running to and fro, trying to keep up with the demands of this life, pretty much very 'earthly minded' ... and hardly ever 'spiritually minded'! i'm just saying ... !!
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