Fresh Bread
# 25
HAVE
YOU MY BOOK?
HAVE YOU READ HIS?
“Have you read my book, Angel Food?”, I asked my long time friend and prayer warrior. This
is a lady who had prayed for years that I would become a published writer.
“Well, not all
of it,” she answered.
I was shocked because
it’s such a small book, actually only 61 pages. How could someone who had prayed so long
for it, not read the whole thing?
Yes,
I was temporarily shocked but not really surprised.
A
big way the Lord helps me know and understand Him better is by being able to relate to how He must
feel in similar circumstances.
I was constantly amazed
by the reactions of friends who ordered or did not order my book. Those who I thought were the
closest to me and knew how important this book was to me, were often the ones who showed the least
interest. Then, those who were farther away, showed great interest.
I don’t dismiss
at all, the few very close friends who supported me by not only buying one book, but many to give to
their friends and family. Thank you abundantly dear ones. You really blessed me.
Others expected me to
give them the book without charge. Some, I did, but this meant taking finances from my ministry Angel
Food Blessings which I was hoping to see grow so I could publish more books.
This
morning, during my prayer time, I reached over and picked up the little book Angel Food: the one the Holy
Spirit gave me when I was just a spiritual baby. As I flipped through the pages, special scriptures
stood out for me…each one so refreshing and assuring me of God’s many promises to me.
I am constantly amazed
by this little book because the things I read in it now…do not show one single error from the
added truths I have learned.
The
writing of Angel
Food was a physical struggle because I had never written before and was just learning how to
write. It began on an old standard typewriter…much like writing on stone tablets. But
God had me persevere, eventually moving up to an electric typewriter, and from ‘white out’ and
carbon paper to corrective ribbon. Then He sent an old computer; a newer one; and yet a newer
computer. He is so faithful to supply ALL our needs in His time for His purpose.
The day came when He
opened the door through my spiritual mother, Charlotte, to have it published. He had told me in
the beginning that He would provide a way to finance it. In my wildest dreams, I couldn’t
have guessed it would come through a divorce settlement.
I don’t know why
I am telling you all of this, unless it is to show you how much of “me” is in this little
book. If you really cared about knowing the real “me”; if you really loved me, you
would want to read my book.
Now, can you relate
this to how God must feel about His Book? I even wonder today, “Does God like to read His
own Book?” Absolutely! He sees Himself in it. Jesus loved to read it while on
earth. Why do we feel so close to God when we are reading it? I think He is reading it with
us. At least I know He delights in us reading it.
I know the thrill it
would give me to walk up on a friend and see my book in their hand. At least on their coffee table
or in the open where it could be used as a topic for conversation and an opportunity to witness.
An interesting perspective
here, is that no one really knows if another person is reading God’s Word or not. The only
way we know is when they say something from His Book, that He has said. And when they do respect
His Words, I can understand now how much pleasure that gives Him.
When Linda or Vicki
remind me of something I have written, it really delights me. It fills my heart with warmth and
hope. It tells me that they were sincerely listening to what I was sharing with them. Oh,
how our Lord enjoys having His Words spoken back to Him.
But how can we do this
if we haven’t read the whole Book? How can the Holy Spirit bring back His Words to our memories
just when we need them for special occasions, if we have not taken His Word to heart…seeking
more revelation of Him and the meaning of His Words?
Then I considered how
God must feel when He asks, “Have you read my Book? It’s all about Me, you know. It’s
all about Me. You said you wanted to know Me.”
Some
of the things people have said to me, they also say to Him in answer to our question.
“Sorry, I just
haven’t had time.”
“Not really. I
had other books I needed to read first.”
“I’ve just
been too busy. You know; work, kids, church and all.”
“I can’t
afford it. Maybe when I get my bills all paid.”
“Well, I’ve
read a few pages.”
Then there are others
who have said, “Oh, it’s such a cute little book. I’m so glad to see
you are a published writer. (I, personally am so glad that God is!) J
Others
see themselves in Angel Food. They know me personally and are sincerely able to recognize the anointing
on this little book that the Holy Spirit was so gracious to give me so I could share His Word and experience
with others. It is definitely His angel food.
“He
commanded the skies to open…He opened the
windows
of heaven…and rained down manna for
their
food. He gave them bread from heaven!
They
ate Angels’ Food!” Psalms
78:23-25 (TLB).
Oh, I pray that you
see yourself in God’s Book. It’s all about His Love for you to teach you where to
go and what to do. He is well aware of the many conflicts in your life at this time. Reading
His Word shows your love for Him.
When I ask, “Have
you read my book Angel Food?”, it’s usually because I want to refer to a special picture
or lesson in it that has relevance to a present situation in your life or mine. This is also why
God asks: “Have you read My Book?”
Show
your love for Him today by telling Him that you have read His Book and that you Love it.
“All
scripture is given by inspiration of God….” (2 Timothy 3:16). So is
Angel Food.
