Nancy Taylor - Gods Call to a Deeper Life: Unveiling and Embracing the Depths of His Love

On our good days, we can read a passage of Scripture and immediately

hear God speaking to us. Were in tune with his voice and eager to respond to his message. On our bad days, we feel as though weve read it all before. Nothing jumps out at us. God seems silent. Our hearts feel dry and cold.

Of course, we know God doesnt change. And we believe every word in the Bible is inspired breathed out by him so we can know and serve him. But some days its just hard to hear his voice.

Thats where this book comes in. It will help you read familiar Scripture passages with new eyes and hear Gods heart in a new way. Ive tried to take each passage and paraphrase it in Gods voice so you can hear it with your heart rather than just your mind. Think of it as looking through the other side of a window its the same room you were just in, but now you see it from a different perspective.

My hope is that youll read the Scripture passage listed from your Bible, then read my personalized paraphrase of it. As you read, you may be inspired to write your own paraphrase or personal application pull out your journal and record what God is speaking to your heart. Scripture is the only inerrant Word of God. My goal is simply to help you open your mind and heart to hear what God wants to say to you through his Word. Think of this book as a starting point for applying Scripture personally. Ask God to illuminate the Bible for you as you read it. He will always answer that prayer!

Ive started with the Psalms because that is the prayer book of the Bible. As you pray words to God, listen for him to speak life-giving words back. Following that, well cover a few other Old Testament passages, then Jesus words in the Gospels, and finally the Epistles and Revelation. Through it all, there is one consistent voice of God: saving, helping, keeping, and loving us to the end.

PSALM 1

They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

Psalm 1:3

Dear child, if you want to live a blessed life, stay away from people who are bad influences. Dont listen to their advice or follow their ways or laugh at their jokes. One day the wicked will be swept away. They have no lasting legacy. They will be forgotten, and no one will mourn their passing. Dont be like them.

Instead, delight in me. That is true blessedness deep soul happiness. Read my Word and chew on it in your mind. Memorize it, hiding it in your heart. Then you will be like a tree planted beside the water, fruitful and full of abundant life. New growth will spring up from the branches you thought were dead. Dreams and talents you have given up on will spring back to life. Delighting in me always brings forth life in your soul.

Come to me daily, trusting and listening moment by moment. Feed on my Word, for it is life. Let the Spirits peace and joy flow through your veins and infuse everything you do with my presence and love. Rest in me, and you will both know blessedness and be a blessing to others.

We all want to live a blessed life, one of peace, joy, and deep satisfaction in the Spirit. This psalm tells us the secret to that kind of existence plant your life in God, giving him control, and he will give back to you far more than you can imagine.