Slideshow image
Scripture for the day: John 5:39; Psalm 119:11 You search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me …. Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You
Thought for the day: One of my best friends, Andrew Murray, shared some tips for effectively reading the Word of God. Now, you have to understand that Rev. Murray died a long time before I was born, but through his writings, I believe I have come to know him quite well. The same and more can be said of my relationship with Jesus. By searching the scriptures, the Lord has provided hints and helps toward a deeper relationship with Jesus than would ever have been possible otherwise. Rev. Murray shared with me several tips for effectively searching the scriptures. Let me share them with you.
Some of you probably just groaned as you thought of searching the scriptures. “Bill, there’s so much I don’t understand. I’ve never liked to read and the Bible is so often obscure and almost meaningless to me. I just get frustrated trying to understand.” I know how you feel; I’ve been searching the scriptures most of my adult life and haven’t begun to scratch the surface. Let’s get on with it.
First, when we read, we ought to read with the heart as much as with the head. There is room for intellectual understanding but the truth of the Word is caught more than it is taught. Isaac Asimov studied the scriptures and wrote a two volume commentary on the Bible; he died an atheist because he never made that 18 inch journey from the head to the heart.
Second, when we read, we ought to read in the presence of the Living God. In other words, I need to be reminded that He is here, looking over my shoulder, speaking from the text spread out in front of me. My attitude must be, “Lord, I invite you to speak to my heart as we read together. Your servant is listening.”
Third, we must realize that “the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword … a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). If you read something and don’t understand it, don’t worry about that. When the time is right, the Spirit will bring to mind that scripture and apply it to your life, I promise you.
Fourth, when we search the scriptures, we must resolve within ourselves to be, not only hearers, but doers of the word. It’s not enough to know what the Bible says about any given subject. Equally important is our willingness to take action when the Word directs us to do so. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it” (Luke 11:28). James told us, “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26).
Do you want to catch a glimpse of the importance of the Bible in the life of a Christian? Read Psalm 119 and take particular note of each reference to the Word of God, the statutes of God, the benefits of obedience to what we know from the Word of God, and the personal communication with God the author seems to have enjoyed.
George Mueller said, “The power of our spiritual life will be according to the measure of the room that the word of God takes up in our life and in our thoughts.” We do not find salvation in the pages of the Bible; we find instead, a consistent pointing to the One who has provided our salvation. We find not an intellectual understanding of the words of various authors scattered over the centuries. Rather, we discover an up-to-date, living, active, relationship to the author of eternal life. I encourage you; if you’ve let your time with Jesus through the reading of His Word to expire, renew that time, inviting him, first and foremost, to show you some insight you’ve never seen before. He will not disappoint, I promise.
Now go take on your world. - Bill