Breathingbook

Let’s take a look at what it’s like to dwell in the anointing of God’s Word given freely to all believers. I’m not speaking here about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers – that’s a constant that’s given to all believers when they first believe in Jesus and receive Him as their Lord and Savior. The dwelling or indwelling anointing God’s Word is all about keeping of God’s Word.

So, beginning with Psa 1:1-2, where we see the instruction to meditate in God’s Word day and night:

Psa 1:1-2 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.

So, right off the bat, we see there is a blessing for those who study God’s Word (Jesus is the Word) and meditate on it both day and night. What this speaks about is keeping God’s Words in your heart and mind, ruminating and chewing on them a bit… thinking to oneself, does this apply with that? Asking the Father, “Is this what you mean, or that?” Praying, “Lord, I don’t understand this right here, could you please help me to understand it?” or “Lord, could you please show me other scriptures that are related to this?” “Lord, could you help me expound on this right here?” Things of that nature, and such and such.

Studying God’s Word was a given for every Jew. Every Jew went to synagogue growing up and as an adult was expected to take their place in the rotation of reading God’s Word on the Sabbath to the other men in the Synagogue, such as when Jesus stood up in Lk 4:16-19 to read. In a nation God’s Word was supposed to reign supreme, any male Jew who didn’t take up keen interest in scripture would be an outcast.

The Lord Jesus, being the Savior and “Word of God made flesh,”took this even Further. In Jn 14:23-24, He told believers, if you love Me, you will keep My Words.

Jn 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My Words (logos): and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him.

And then He said, those who “do NOT love Him” will NOT keep His Words.

Jn 14:24 He that loveth Me not keepeth not My sayings (logos): and the Word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father’s which sent Me.

(The Greek word “logos” can mean “words” or “sayings”).

You see, Jesus IS the Word of God (Jn 1:1-5,14). This means God has supernaturally placed Himself within His Words. Therefore, reading the bible isn’ the same as reading a newspaper or studying for an exam. Rather, it’s a supernatural experience.

God’s Word is intended to be meditated upon. It is intended to be chewed. This might sound strange, but God’s Word is intended to be chewed on just like one chews a succulent piece of flesh – Christ’s flesh- nice and slow, as if to get all the juices and flavor out of it before you have to swallow and move on to the next passage… err, bite!

Jn 6:53-57 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth My flesh,and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

55 For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth My flesh,and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me.

Now, that might sound pretty wild, but it’s true. Jesus is the Word of God and His Word is meant to be chewed on like succulent flesh, all tasty and juicy. But wait! There’s more! Not only does this fill you with His “indwelling” (see Jn 6:56 above), but when God’s Word is meditated upon in such a manner, it takes a hold upon your complete attention and opens up to you. When that happens you will feel a change in your spirit. This change is the mysterious washing and cleansing of the Word taking place.

It clears out all the mess from the world that has gotten on you and weighed you down.

Jn 15:3 Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.

This cleansing process sanctifies believers. The word sanctify means to purify or to consecrate oneself in a manner which brings about a “holiness” from God.

Jn 17:17 Sanctify them through Thy Truth: thy Word is Truth.

So this chewing or meditating on God’s Word brings relief to believers while in bible study. When the relief comes, you feel washed – you feel cleansed – and you are sanctified in His Truth. This filling, cleansing, and sanctifying process is a part of the anointing of Christ and when you do this every day - just like the Israelites going out to collect their portions of Manna (Exo 16:15-24 ) every day - then you, too, will be Dwelling in the Anointing of God’s Word.

Jn 6:48-51 I AM that Bread of Life. 49 Your fathers did eat Manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the Bread which cometh down from Heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

51 I AM the Living Bread which came down from Heaven: if any man eat of this Bread, he shall live for ever: and the Bread that I will give is My Flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

It is my hope and prayer for you, that you, too, will come to desire the succulent flesh of the Word of God, our Lord, Jesus Christ, Savior and Son of God. May indwelling presence in you be fed that you may shine, and glow, even as His Word fills you and gives you nutrients for life, as children of the Lord God Most High.

May God bless you as you study His Word.

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, won’t you ask Him to come into your life today? Just pray this simple prayer, “Lord Jesus, I need the saving that only you can give. Please come into my life, wash me, and make me whole. ” I promise you, He will come.

Peace out!

Loris Anne James