MAY WE LEARN TO GET SO MUCH MORE OUT OF THE WORD OF GOD DAILY
As a young person many years ago I was introduced to The Promise Box, which was very popular in those days. It was a box (of various sizes) which held say 50 Scripture texts scrolled up, and using a little metal tong you would withdraw one and read it and then take it as “your Scripture for the day” in other words treating the Bible like a “Lucky Dip”. I can’t say I used it very often, but sure didn’t realise that it is NOT how we treat the Word of God.
Many Christians are encouraged through some form of Discipleship to read the Bible every day, this is a good start, but it is NOT good enough.
Firstly, let me recommend that you DO NOT open your Bible until you have spent some time in prayer and prepared your heart to receive God’s Word, try and NOT to be in a rush to open your Bible, and treat it as a duty. It is good to have some form of systematic Bible reading program to assist you in slowly but surely reading all the Bible.
I also think it is good to look at the verses in various translations that helps you get a clearer picture of what the verses are saying.
Then as the Psalmist encouraged in Psalm 119:15 NKJV I will meditate on Your precepts,
N.I.V. I will study your commandments Psalms 119:15
Contemplate chew over what you have read asking the Holy Spirit to QUICKEN THE WORD TO YOU.
In the Greek Text there are particularly 2 words translated WORD
Logos which is the written word
Rhema which is that “light bulb” moment when the Holy Spirit makes it personal and very real to you personally. Paul speaks of this in Eph. 6:17 NKJV And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word (Rhema) of God; Ephesians 6:17. When the Word impacts your life like that, that Word has gone from your head (information) to your heart (revelation) and becomes a Sword with the other pieces of the WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD to enable you to deal with the tricks of the enemy, plus a Rhema word can give you guidance and counsel to do the will of God.
Please do not take a verse/s out of context, this then becomes a pretext, your Rhema word must always line up and agree with the whole tenor of Scripture.
An important Scripture to assist you to understand what the Bible can do for you.
2 Tim. 3:16-17 NKJV All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
It was the Word of God that caused us to experience God’s “So Great Salvation”, Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:23 NKJV having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
May we daily let the Holy Spirit “water” this incorruptible seed and may it produce a mighty harvest of Godliness in us and much fruit for the glory of God amen.
and fruitfulness