Secondly, reading the Bible is not enough; we must meditate and reflect on it. "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, not standeth in the way of sinners, not sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Psalm 1: 1-3. At that time the New Testament had not been written, and the Scriptures were referred to as the "law".
We must approach each time of Bible reading with an expectant heart, to see God work something in our hearts. And hence we must spend time reflecting upon the Word of God, to see what it means to us, and precisely how it can apply to our lives. By this I do not mean that we take a verse of scripture and try and twist it to suit our situation, such that the meaning to us becomes almost contrived. No, the Word of God says precisely what it means to say with regards to us. It is the Living Word.
"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Isaiah 55: 10-11.
The Word of God is powerful and will speak to us, but even the most powerful words would come to nought if they fell on deaf ears. We must take that step to reflect and digest the Word, so that it becomes part of our understanding and belief, and not just a mere reading. We must reflect upon how the Word applies to our everyday lives, right down to the smallest actions. What is the Word saying about how my relationships should be? What is the Word saying about the way I talk to people? What is the Word saying about my goals in life?
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
We must approach each time of Bible reading with an expectant heart, to see God work something in our hearts. And hence we must spend time reflecting upon the Word of God, to see what it means to us, and precisely how it can apply to our lives. By this I do not mean that we take a verse of scripture and try and twist it to suit our situation, such that the meaning to us becomes almost contrived. No, the Word of God says precisely what it means to say with regards to us. It is the Living Word.
"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Isaiah 55: 10-11.
The Word of God is powerful and will speak to us, but even the most powerful words would come to nought if they fell on deaf ears. We must take that step to reflect and digest the Word, so that it becomes part of our understanding and belief, and not just a mere reading. We must reflect upon how the Word applies to our everyday lives, right down to the smallest actions. What is the Word saying about how my relationships should be? What is the Word saying about the way I talk to people? What is the Word saying about my goals in life?
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
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