Write His Answer

If you want to know what God wants you to do,
ask him, and he will gladly tell you . . .
James 1:5 TLB

As my friend, Laura Shaffer, shares in the prayer below, all we need to do is to “connect the dots” of what God has already told us in His Word.

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Father, how amazing that You sent Your Word through prophets to the kings of Israel to give them direction, instruction, correction, even advice on successful battle plans!  You sent specific word to Ahab to determine that he should fight against the thirty-three kings and their armies and chariots assembled.  You told him who should lead the attack, when, and who would win!

I often wish there were such easily discernible ways I could hear from You.  If only You would send me an email, or write across the sky to inform me about decisions or concerns I face.

And then I realize – You have written me a letter!  It’s Your Holy Word.  If I take the time to read it, often, things become clear.  If I had never read the Bible, I wouldn’t know that in it, You have already included instructions for godly, moral living.  You have already made Yourself very clear on many topics that relate to me today.  Instead of hearing of and memorizing only scattered verses, I need to feed myself, and know the entirety of what You have to say to me.

So, reading Your word is a start.  Studying it for a deeper understanding is also important.  Then connecting the dots to how what You have said impacts my life, is crucial.  Some Bible study methods have big words for this: observation, interpretation, application.  Very simply, it is asking: What are You saying?  What does it mean?  What does it mean to me?

A big part of the burden to hear from You, then, is on me to listen to what You have already said.  But to help me even more, You have given me, and every believer, the Holy Spirit.  Part of the Holy Spirit’s job is to help me understand, apply, and live by what Your Word says to me.  I need to pay attention to what it is telling me, and be obedient, not ignore, discard, or drown out what I hear.

Thank You that I can hear from You just as specifically as those who heard the prophets speak.  You have given me so much more to help me in knowing You and understanding You.  Thank You for Your Word.  Thank You for the Holy Spirit.  Help me to make reading and studying Your Word a priority for my time and energy.  Do not let me quench the Holy Spirit.  And thank You that I can even talk to You personally in prayer.  And know that You hear me.  And trust that You’ll answer.  What an awesome God!  Amen

1 Kings 20:1-22

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Laura volunteered to help at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference, and what a tremendous help she was. But more than the work she did, what endeared her to me and the rest of the team were the on target prayers she emailed each morning.

For the past two years, Laura has been sending daily prayers to about 80 people from her reading in the One Year Bible. If you’d like to receive them, email her at davidtshaffer@juno.com. You will be blessed!

Father, thank You for Laura. Thank You for her example of faithfully studying and responding to Your Word. Keep us, keep me, mindful that the only way we can “write Your answer” is through (as my pastor once said) “getting into Your Word and letting Your Word get into us.”

Upcoming Events

July 9, Baltimore – Christian Writers Seminar 

From 10 am to 4:30 pm I’ll be teaching 5 workshops at Restoration Temple Apostolic Center. Click here for more info and to register.

Idea to Published Manuscript – How to find, capture, organize, evaluate, and sharpen your ideas. Using a Writer’s Check-off List. Making a good impression on an editor, including proper manuscript format and effective query and cover letters.

Going Indie? – “For such a time as this” God has provided the technology to independently publish books and ebooks as well as ways to reach potential readers through the Internet. We’ll look at the advantages and disadvantages, cautions and costs, as well as the how-to.

The Power of Story: Turning Personal Experiences Into Print – Learn how to pass on to your readers the help and comfort God has given you. Seven essential elements of a personal experience story and pitfalls to avoid.

Writing Manuscripts that Sell and Touch Lives – An overview of the needs of the Christian market and the best opportunities. How to get your devotionals, articles, fiction, profiles, fillers, humor, and poetry in print. Alternatives to outlining and how to pass the “So what?” test.

Making It Happen – How to overcome procrastination, deal with the D’s (disappointment, doubt, discouragement), rise above rejection, and prayerfully set goals.

July 15-16, Denver
E=D3 Fishers of Men Power Conference – FREE!
A City Wide Evangelism & Discipleship Conference

From my friend, Mike Wolff – Hey all, wanted to make you aware of a transformational FREE evangelism/discipleship/community building conference coming up here in Denver on July 15-16 at His Love Fellowship at 9th & Kalamath. It will kick off with a great time of fellowship and food on Friday night, and then a bevy of gifted speakers inspiring you to think outside the box when it comes to what church, and our role in the kingdom, could look like in the coming times. Click here for more info.

August 3-6, Langhorne, PA – Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference

Faculty of 56 agents, editors, and authors teaching 42 workshops (plus 19 Wednesday afternoon early bird workshops), 8 continuing sessions, 3 clinics, 7 keynotes and more. Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity. Click here

August 3, 7:30 pm
Marty Goetz in Concert – FREE!