“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”—Romans 10:17 (ESV)

I wrote this post earlier in the week. I was unsure if it was what I should write about this week. That was until I heard our church’s sermon yesterday. It was about how the Spirit of the Word will speak to us through scripture. It was the affirmation I needed that I should share this.

When I start my morning quietly meditating with God and His Word, it refreshes my soul. I can’t only read scripture. I also have to listen to it too. Especially in a specific situation. For example, this week I had a steroid shot for trigger finger. It was in my right hand and had started to lock up on me more and more. Considering my livelihood is knitting and writing, I figured early intervention to get a shot would be better than waiting for it to get worse. While not common, it can take longer for the numbing part of the shot to wear off.

When I woke up the next morning (more than 12 hours later) my finger still felt like a sausage. I could not feel it. As I was praying, I felt like God impress on my heart, It’s going to be okay. Trust me.” I’d like to say, I had peace after that and went straight into my living room to start my morning devotion time. However, full transparency, the first thing I did was go to the computer and google it. It didn’t really give me any definitive answers other than it can happen.

Trying to still my mind before my quiet time, I turned on some worship music. Usually this redirects my anxious thoughts, but not this time. After two songs and not having peace, I FINALLY started to read my morning devotions. These two scriptures were a part of it, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”—John 14:1 and “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”—John 14:27

Had I stuck to my morning routine where I start my day in His Presence, I would have been able to embrace the scriptures knowing He was speaking to me. He had impressed those very things on my heart before I got out of bed that morning. Instead, I wasted 30 minutes of my day letting the devil get a foothold of my thoughts.

When I filled my soul with scripture, the Holy Spirit renewed my mind through it. Just as each stitch and yarn I knit weave together something of beauty, God’s Word does the same thing in our lives. He desires for His Words to be woven into our life to bring about transformation to become more and more in the image of His Son. This is what happened to me on what I refer to as my “numb finger” day.

It took over 24 hours before I had full feeling in it, but because of the nearness to God that gave me comfort from those morning scriptures, I was no longer worried but had peace. It was through the Holy Spirit I was able to hear from Him and live out John 14:1. When I spend time in scripture, God draws near as I fix my eyes on Him and His Word. God wants to work through us. We are investing in something eternal when we spend time with Him and His Word.

Father God,

Forgive me when I go to others or my computer before Your Word to give me comfort. Open my mind to the truth found in scripture. Give me a teachable and submissive spirit to receive what I read. Help me to understand Your Word more and more each day. I thank You for the peace only You can give. I lift those up to You who may be reading this that are dealing with worry about a situation. Fill them with a peace that surpasses all understanding. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things. Amen.

September Verse

This verse is still on my screen saver. I need it as a reminder as I step out in faith for my YouTube channel, Knit, Pray, Crochet.

“Keep alert. Be firm in your faith. Stay brave and strong.”—1 Corinthans 16:13 (CEV)

If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give away, please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.