June 3, 2015
How Important is The Bible?
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. 17It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do (2 Timothy 3:16, NLT).
Friend to Friend
If we really want to know God, if we really want to understand who we are, the Bible must have the highest place of importance in our lives. We don’t have to be Bible scholars to apply God’s truth. As we read the Bible, the Holy Spirit will help us understand the spiritual truth that uncovers God’s plan and purpose for our lives. He will then give us the power we need to live out that plan and purpose.
A disciple is a follower, a learner, or a student. If we want to be disciples of God, we have to understand the importance of the Bible and saturate our lives with it. I thought I was doing a fair job of plugging God’s Word into my life until I rammed right into Psalm 119 where I discovered a test that helped determine the importance I was really placing on God’s Word. Take this test with me to see if God’s Word has the place in your life that it should have.
Is God’s Word more important than food?
Psalm 119:103 “Your promises are sweet to me, sweeter than honey in my mouth." The Bible is our spiritual food. God's Word sustains and strengthens us just as food sustains and strengthens our physical body. Just as malnutrition affects our physical growth, spiritual malnutrition affects our spiritual growth. We rarely miss a meal. We always find a way to eat. Do we have the same commitment to our spiritual growth as we do to satisfying the hunger pains of our human body?
Is God’s Word more important than money?
Psalm 119:72 “Your teachings are worth more to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.” Spiritual wealth is more important than human wealth. Do we really live that way? I have a friend who is totally committed to God and to serving Him whole-heartedly. My friend is a garbage collector - a happy garbage collector. I once asked him why he was so happy in his work. "Mary, I collect garbage to pay the bills, but my real passion in life is to share Jesus and to serve Him with joy." He has the right backdrop for life, and it is not wealth or money.
Is God’s Word more important to you than sleep?
Psalm 119:147-148 “I wake up early in the morning and cry out. I hope in your word. I stay awake all night so I can think about your promises.” I know. Now God is getting personal! When we start talking about giving up sleep to read and study the Word of God, we are talking radical obedience. Exactly! If we want to experience God's power in our lives, we have to make a radical commitment to learning and apply Scripture.
How did you do? I will tell you honestly that I failed this test! I have walked with God for many years and I still do not have the hunger and thirst for God’s Word that I should have. God is saying, “If you want to get to know me - really know me – if you want to be intimate with Me, then you have to know my Book!”
We live in Kansas City where Kansas Power makes a tremendous amount of electricity available to us. With that power, we can light our homes and stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. We can enjoy electrically powered appliances that turn, spin, wash, dry and clean. What difference electricity makes in our lives … when we flip the switch. But until we use and appropriate the power of available electricity, it is worthless to us. The same is true of God’s Word.
Let’s Pray
Father, please give me a hunger and thirst for your Word. I want to please You with my life through obedience to your truths. I choose to spend time with You each day this week, studying the Bible. Would You please honor my commitment and empower me to keep it? When I fail, Lord, I choose now to forgive myself as You forgive me - and begin again.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Now it’s Your Turn
Set aside one hour this week to re-evaluate your plan for reading and studying the Bible.
Set new goals for daily Bible study. Make the goals realistic for your current lifestyle. Next week, add 15 minutes to your study time each day.
Ask God to empower this new commitment.
Choose a specific time and place for your Bible study.
Remember to record new truths and insights in a journal. At the end of the week, go back over your journal entries to see what changes God has made in your life. Praise Him for the power of His Word, and when you fail, do not allow the enemy to discourage you or persuade you to give up. Simply begin again.
More from the Girlfriends
Need help learning to study the Bible? Check out Mary’s weekly online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. The current topic is Anger Management 101 after which is the series Learning to Study the Bible. Connect with women across the world learning how to study and apply the Word of God.
Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website. Connect with Mary through email or on Facebook.
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