Are You Listening to the Word of God?

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17

 

PONDER THIS

Some wonder why we call the Scriptures God breathed. Here’s why: What you’re hearing right now is my breath. I have a diaphragm and lungs in my chest. My diaphragm and my rib cage are pressing against my lungs, and they’re sending air up my throat. That air is passing over my larynx and my voice box, and that air is being moved and articulated by my tongue, my teeth, and my lips, and I’m making sounds. So, I am breathing out my words right now.

The Bible says all Scripture is the breath of God. When you read the Bible, you hear God speak. In these verses, Paul said, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (v. 16). And as you pick up the Bible, you’ll read phrases like this: “The Word of God came to me,” or, “The Lord said,” or, “God spoke.” If Scripture is filled with God’s words, you need to treat it that way. Look at what Jesus said in Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” The Bible is the Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God, and it’s time to listen to what it says.

When has it been hard to listen to what the Bible says? What did you do?

How does knowing the Bible is God’s Word change the way we interact with it compared with other books?

PRACTICE THIS

Talk to a person who has spent a lot of time reading the Word of God. Ask that friend what he or she has learned by studying it.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

How Spiritually Healthy Are You?

PRAY OVER THIS

“Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.” Psalm 119:97

 

PONDER THIS

My wife gives me brewer's yeast every morning for the vitamins in it. And then on top of that, bee pollen. Then a fist full of vitamins and then two-percent milk. At first, these habits were foreign, and I did not have a taste for them, but over time my appetite has changed and I've learned to like it.

If you get on a regimen of eating right, it’ll change you. And if you get on a regimen of getting into the Word of God and feeding your soul, the change may not be immediate and dramatic, but it will change you for eternity. We need to have quality quiet time.

This is how I prepare my heart for the presence of God. First, take a deep breath. Focus your thoughts on the Lord, then look up and lift your hands to Him. When you lift your hands in praise say, “Lord, I praise You and only You.” Then, lift your hands again and say, “Lord, I surrender! I am under Your control.” And then lift your hands a third time and say, “Lord, I receive,” as you’re expecting to receive something. Over time, I hope this will tune your heart to think about the presence of God.

Do you spend dedicated time in the Word regularly? Why or why not?

How can you include time with the Lord as a part of your everyday life?

PRACTICE THIS

If you don’t already have this, add time with the Lord in the Word as a part of your rhythm this week.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Faithfully Studying God’s Word

PRAY OVER THIS

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

 

READ THIS

If we want to live holy lives, to be sanctified and powerful in the Lord, we must learn how to be faithful in studying God’s Word. Yesterday we looked at the first two of four ways we learn to be faithful—we receive God as the author of the Bible and we bow to the authority of the Bible. Today we look at two additional principles.

Third, we must resolve to make a serious analysis of the Bible.

We must rightly divide the Word of God, laying aside our intellectual pride and bringing our open minds. We must analyze it in context, with common sense and deep concentration. Read poetry as poetry, prophecy as prophecy, promises as promises, and precepts as precepts.

Lastly, we must respond with a steadfast application of the Bible.

To love God is to keep His commandments. Inspiration without obedience will cause the Word of God to sour within us rather than energize us. We must put these things into practice.

Bible study gives us knowledge about God. Obedience gives us knowledge of God. We can study the Bible and learn about God, or we can obey the Bible and know God.

CONSIDER THIS

What are some tools you can use to be sure that you are rightly dividing the Word of Truth?

If we love God, we will keep His commandments. In light of this truth, how does your life show that you love God?

DO THIS

God is calling you to obedient application of His Word. Write down at least one thing you need to do? Then do it!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Opened Minds

Understanding the scriptures comes from God alone.

He searches the heart.

He knows Your every thought.

He gives true meaning to what you study.

He allows you to teach and share with others.

He warns you of sin.

Lord, open our hearts to Your life giving word.

Let us cherish it, teach it, obey it, and never let the world twist its meaning. Let us repent when we fail. We praise You for Jesus. He alone is able to give salvation according to Your command and by Your power. Amen

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, - Luke 24:45

They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?" - Luke 24:32

then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings,  - Job 33:16

One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. - Acts 16:14

20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. - 1 John 5:20-21

39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,

40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.

41 I do not receive glory from people.

42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you.

43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.

44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope.

46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.

47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?" - John 5:39-47

Are You Ready at Any Given Moment?

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Winston Churchill was speaking to the House of Commons one day when he gave this advice, “We must always be ready to meet at our average moment, the thing that any possible enemy could hurl against us at his selected moment.”

Satan could hurl a deadly temptation at you at any given moment. The phone could ring with terrible news about a friend. A police officer could knock on your door to inform you of a tragedy in your family.

Trials can come with such a force that they blow you off course. Temptation can strike at your backside and almost give you whiplash!

It is not God’s will that you have fewer temptations or trials, but that you have victory in temptation and trials.

Are you ready at this moment to meet either what the devil may throw at you or what God may allow to come your way? If you’re not sure, you can get ready by spending time in His precious Word today.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers