May 16, 2018
GODS WORD
Gods word is more than a good book to read. It’s the key to direction for our daily lives.
2 Timothy 2:15
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
We live in a fast paced world and even though we have a desire to be in Gods Word and strengthen our relationship with Him, we don’t take the time. I want to encourage you to be known as a genuine believer is Christ. It starts by surrendering your whole life to God.
Once we have surrendered all, then its time to learn everything we can about God and strengthen our relationship with Him. We cannot just open our Bibles on Sunday morning and expect that to be sufficient. please, pick up your bible Mon-Sat as well. Read, pray and meditate on it, give the Holy Spirit an opportunity to speak to you.
Gods word is true, and trustworthy, it helps us develope and strengthen a Biblical World view. My view of the world as a man, is limited at best and not clear without Gods word. He has the BIG picture and wants us to experience and participate in all He has for us while we are here on planet Earth.
We have a bible study Monday nights where they are studying Gods word chronologically. We are using Answers in Genesis ciriculum, the adult version of what our children are being taught Sunday mornings. At the beggining of the study they lay out some amazing tools for studying Gods word. I will be integrating those tools in my Sunday messages and again as I write my blog.
I always encourage people to spend time in Gods word, to grab a devotional and at least spend 15 min to start the day talking to and hearing from God. But, I want to challenge you to go further. Spend more time in Gods word. By all means, use the devotional, but dont just look at the scripture verse and mans opinion of that verse, go deeper.
There are three important things that the Monday night curriculum teaches from the beggining and apply every time we open our bibles. We must implement these to strengthen our relationship with God and know how to apply His word to our daily lives.
Observe The Text—ask the 5-W’s and 1-H…
Who wrote it and who is it written to?
What words are repeated or emphasized?
When was it written?
Where is it happening?
Whyis it being written (the main point).
How is it communicated and Howdoes it affect those who it is addressed to and howdoes it affect you?
Interpret The Text—
What does the rest of the Bible say about this topic?
Use cross-references, look at culture, the meaning of word meaning, what is the context, use commentaries or parallel messages that are similar. Be careful NOT to read your own ideas into the text…
Apply The Text—James 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. Live what you read, put it into action.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work”.
Each time we gather, the Holy Spirit is right here with us ready to speak to and through each of us.
We love teaching, you know learning about Gods word… its the reproof or correction that bugs us. If we open Gods Word we need to read and study with the heart and mind set that we are in Gods presence and are seeking his instruction and direction for our lives. Sometimes it will bring encouragement and hope, and at other times, correction or reproof. Listen carefully to both.
Have you spent time in Gods word this week? Are you seeking to hear what HIS word says?
Gods word is where we should be going as we make life choices and decisions…everything we need to know about life is in the Bible.
I would encourage you to journal… write down what God is saying to you as you read…as you…
Observe—Interpret—and Apply His word. Start with the scriptures i used in writing this. What is God saying to YOU?
Slow down, unplug and open your Bible.
The more we study and apply Gods word to our daily lives, the easier it will be for us to share the hope we have with others and to defend our biblical world view.
Prayed for you all this morning!
Love God—Love Others!
Pastor Scott