I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me. Those verses remind me of Darlene Deibler Rose, a Christian missionary who was captured by the Japanese in World War II. That is the point when God will move our hearts and meet the deepest needs of our souls. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (AMP) It is difficult to fight for faith when tough circumstances are occurring in our lives. The Bible is a living instruction book that brings blessing and hope to all who read it. King Hezekiah, king of Judah, asked God for a longer life and God added 15 more years to his life. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Yet just as sometimes we need someone to help us read a map, we benefit from others experience of digging deep in Gods Word. Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. The best invitation we ever received! Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. We need to spread the truth that our God is the God of love. In Joshua 1:8, he was encouraged to keep the Book of the Law close to his heart and mind, obeying all that it commanded. by Dr. Josh Moody and more articles about Bible and Wiki on Christianity.com Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Bible Guide for Each Piece. One of the reasons God gave us the Bible is to transform us so that our lives more clearly reflect Jesus. It gives believers something to believe in when times get hard. In Proverbs 4:20-22, he urged his son to pay attention to his words and keep them close to his heart, as they are a source of life and health. We are encouraged to grow in our walk with Jesus and proclaim Gods Word with others. The privilege and responsibility God gives pastors is to shepherd those who belong to Him. The Bible is a roadmap for life! When we read the Bible, it has an active effect on our hearts and minds. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. Part 5 of a Bible study Knowing Gods Word. Come to him! Hebrews 4:12 describes the Word as alive and powerful and 2 Timothy 3:16 says it is God breathed. 2 Peter 1:20-21 tells us the Bible was written by holy men, but God is the author. Everyone has a pre-mindset according to how they lived their lives prior to knowing God. My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! Psalm 119:28. What are the benefits of the Word of God? Scripture will protect us from sin by arming us with the truth and For the word of God is alive and active. When we trust in Gods Word and the power of His Word, we are redeemed and delivered. (2) It gives you new insights and spiritual understanding. Furthermore, avoiding sinful behaviors is important since engaging in sin can lead to unnecessary problems and stress in our lives, which can negatively impact our physical and mental health. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The ancient Christian leader Jerome once said, Let sleep find you holding the Bible, and when your head nods let it be resting on the sacred page. Assuming we are convinced in theory that we should give attention to Gods Word, how are we to do so in practice? According to Lifeway Research, while most Americans have a positive view of the Bible, more than half hardly ever read it. Additionally, the Bible trains us with wisdom and corrects us when we are no longer doing things that honor God. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth, John 17:17. Receive the Daily Devotional and Ministry Updates from Dr. Robert Jeffress. He does not always lay out the whole plan for us, but He shows us what we need to take the next step, and the next step, and the next step. You may think you are perfect but as you read the Word you will become aware of previously unknown and hidden weaknesses in your life. It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God,. The Bible provides us with clear guidance on how to live a life that pleases God, and by following its teachings, we can experience the blessings of His grace and favor. 6. What Does it Mean That the Bible Is God-Breathed? Our lives depend on Gods Word and truth. Now, the Bible contains 1,189 chapters (Old Testament, 929 chapters; New Testament, 260 chapters). Faith is given to us as a mustard seed, which is the smallest of seeds, at the time of spiritual rebirth, but it is our responsibility to grow it into great faith. Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope, Romans 15:4. It provides guidance on how to live a righteous life, which in turn helps us maintain a pure heart and mind. But, why? Studies, including the research conducted by Laura E.Wallace, suggest that attending religious services regularly is linked to longer life. The Word of God will teach you what is right from wrong and anytime Satan tries to tempt you into sin you will be able to repeat the will of God for you back to him. We cannot always control what thoughts come into our mind, but we have a choice: we can either hold on to those thoughts until they metastasize into full-blown immorality, or we can confront those wrong thoughts with the truth of Gods Word and dismiss them. But practice is key. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart, Hebrews 4:12. In all that he does, he prospers, Psalm 1:2-3. Experience the benefits of listening to God when reading the Bible to accelerate your spiritual growth. JoinKathy's mailing list to receive a free mini Bible study on the book of Titus. As is learning to spot the different types of literature (sometimes called genres) in which the Bible is written. All you will be doing is sharing your opinion, which is just one of many. But what exactly is it that Gods Word does for us? They have time for every other business on earth, but not the reading the most important and best-selling book of all time: the Bible. Yet, our endurance proves our genuine faith and will bring promises rewards from God. (New York: HarperCollins, 1990), 143; Martin Luther, Faith Alone: A Daily Devotional, ed. The Program teaches women to dig deeply into the Word, to know Scripture as alive, and to apply what they have Josh Moody(Ph.D., University of Cambridge) is the Senior Pastor of College Church in Wheaton and the President of God Centered Life Ministries. The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17), and reading the Bible is enlivened by the Spirit of God, who breathed out his Word. There is an art and skill to reading the Bible well. Also, when you see what God has prepared for you in the future, you will be filled with great excitement. You will know the will of God for your life [which will also help direct your prayers for more answered prayers]. Word of God The Bible is a living instruction book that brings blessing and hope to all who read it. Although Jesus preached often to large crowds, he chose to empower and prepare his followers for ministry in a small group setting. But the Bible tells us a different truth that can free us from seeking earthly pleasures and living a mundane, hopeless life like the rest of the world. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you, John 14:26. There is a spiritual dynamic to reading the Bible. He created it. (6) It protects you from sin. Jesus said if we continue in a vital relationship with Him and His Word is in us, whatever Copyright Adorned Heart Corp. | All Rights Reserved |Developed by Farhana, engaging in sin can lead to unnecessary problems and stress. A recent news article tells the story of a woman called Sharifa Muhando, who was caught reading her Bible by her Muslim husband. Live and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, Ephesians 6:17. by Kathy | Jan 6, 2020 | Bible, Discipleship, Spiritual Growth | 2 comments. Hebrews 4:12 speaks to the transformative power of the word of God. James C. Galvin (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005), March 8. Getting close to the Lord certainly helps me to hear his voice, but I have discovered that the opposite is also true. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Devour and absorb the Word of God. 2. Healing Prayers to Heal the Body, Mind, and Soul. Therefore, it is essential to allow the word of Christ to dwell in us richly, as Colossians 3:16 instructs, so that we may be filled with wisdom, thankfulness, and joy, and share those blessings with others. David wrote in Psalm 119:11, Your word have I treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. Martin Luther once wrote about a young man who had a hard time with lustful thoughts, so he asked a hermit for advice. We believe that our ECFA membership offers accountability and proves that donors can give with confidence to this ministry as we partner together to win souls for Gods kingdom. Its incumbent on us to take our calling seriously. That is what God does through His Word. Teaching, Discipline, Training, and Correction, 5 Steps to Become An Ambassador for Christ. Provides Us With Instruction and Guidance, 9. The Bible is a firm foundation for Christians that never wavers; however, it has the power to change our hearts from the inside out. Ready to be corrected. Reading and studying the word of God is one of the most beneficial things a believer can do. Take the bold, biblically-based teaching from Dr. Robert Jeffress with you wherever you go with the Pathway to Victory Podcast. If we look at the beginning of the passage, we are pointed in the right direction. How We Benefit from Gods Word. 9. Required fields are marked *. Does Marriage Make You Happy? (8) It enables you to trust in the Lord with all your heart. This passage highlights that the Bible is not just a collection of stories or teachings, but rather, it is a living document that guides us in our daily lives: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17).