Last issue, we began to delve into how we as Christians must begin to go deeper with the Lord in various areas of our lives. This entails building a stronger foundation in the following 4 areas:
1 – Deeper relationship with God
2 – Deeper understanding of God’s Word
3 – Deeper in God’s love
4 – Deeper planting in a church of His choice
We left off the last issue with an encouragement to guard the most precious and important relationship that we have as Christians which is our personal relationship with the Lord and we do that by doing all that we can do to maintain a vibrant, active prayer life guarding our hearts along the way (Proverbs 4:23). This issue we will look at going deeper in understanding God’s Word.
In addition to maintaining a healthy prayer life that will help us to grow in our faith, it’s also good to have a healthy intake of God’s Word. Why? Here’s what the Scripture says:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – NIV – All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
As Christians, we believe that the Scriptures are not just ordinary words, but the very transmitted words of God, as it says, “God breathed” and given to us for the reasons stated in verses 16 and 17; for teaching, rebuking,correcting and training in righteousness, so that we can be thoroughly equipped to live lives pleasing to God and to accomplish whatever He has called us to do. Just as natural food feeds and nourishes the human body, spiritual food nourishes our human spirit. The Bible is that spiritual food that is able to cause us to grow in our relationship with the Lord.
Acts 20:32 – NKJV – “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
God’s Word is able to build you up; It is described as a lamp and a light (Psalms 119:105), is active and able to examine our motives (Hebrews 4:12) is eternal and will stand forever (Psalms 119:89; Matthew 24:35; Isaiah 40:8) and in a culture that seems to be throwing away absolutes, will show you what truth really is (John 17:17;Psalms 33:4;Psalms 119:160). And we know that truth points to Jesus Christ (John 1:1; John 1:14;John 14:6). I love the way the psalmist describes how God’s words are to him:
Psalms 119:103 – NLT – How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.
And yes, there are times when studying or meditating on God’s Word, it does taste “sweet” to the soul! The book of Joshua gives us a great principle for the study and intake of God’s Word. It says the following:
Joshua 1:8 – NLT – Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
We are encouraged to study this “Book of Instruction” continually and to meditate on it day and night. Biblical meditation is not talking about some Eastern Philosophy, but it means to study, talk, speak or mutter. You get the most out of Scripture when you reflect on what God is saying when you are reading it. I personally find that praying while I’m studying and meditating on Scripture has the best effect for me. I like to take time to slowly reflect on certain portions of Scripture I may be reading and allow the Holy Spirit to give me a deeper understanding of it, oftentimes by bringing to remembrance other Scriptures that are similar in text.
Psalms 119:15 – NLT – I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.
When we study God’s Word and reflect on what He says, it will help us understand His ways and His ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts our thoughts
Isaiah 55:10-11 – NLT – “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
God’s ways and His thoughts are known by understanding His Word and knowing what it says. This is why studying His Word is of prime importance for believers. I know that for many of us, life can get very busy with limited time constants. But through it all, we still have to do all that we can do to make time for the reading and study of the Bible. Granted, many of us may not have time to spend hours in the Word like some pastors and other spiritual leaders can do. But can we start by taking at least 10 to 15 minutes a day, then let the Lord slowly increase it as He sees fit and as you are able to do so?
Just throwing out a slight challenge there (LOL). We will continue our “Going Deeper” series in the next issue. Blessings!
