Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2019


God Talk

Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 22–23;1 Peter 1

Today's Scripture & Insight:Deuteronomy 11:13–21
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Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds;
tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them
on your foreheads.
Deuteronomy 11:18
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A study conducted by the Barna Group in 2018 found that most Americans don’t like to talk about God. Only seven percent of Americans say they talk about spiritual matters regularly—and practicing believers in Jesus in America aren’t that different. Only thirteen percent of regular churchgoers say they have a spiritual conversation about once a week.

Perhaps it’s not surprising that spiritual conversations are on the decline. Talking about God can be dangerous. Whether because of a polarized political climate, because disagreement might cause a rift in a relationship, or because a spiritual conversation might cause you to realize a change you need to make in your life—these can feel like high-stakes conversations.

But in the instructions given to God’s people, the Israelites, in the book of Deuteronomy, talking about God can be a normal, natural part of everyday life. God’s people were to memorize His words and to display them in places where they’d often be seen. The law said to talk about God’s instructions for life with your children “when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (11:19).

God calls us to conversation. Take a chance, rely on the Spirit, and try turning your small talk toward something deeper. God will bless our communities as we talk about His words and practice them.

__By: Amy Peterson
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**Reflect & Pray
What challenges have come to you as a result of
spiritual conversations with friends? What blessings?

There’s so much about You, God, that can be shared with
others in my life. Lead me as I interact with them.
To learn more about why the Bible endures,
visit https://ourdailybreadfilms.org/film/the ... it-endure/.