Dr. Jack McGorman (a seminary professor of mine) said: “That book on your coffee table, covered with dust or mags and paper, is not the Holy Word of God. But it becomes the Holy Bible when you dust it off, reverently open it and read the content with full focus on the Lord speaking to you through each verse.”
Studying the Bible is so important to the believer. It is one of the best ways to grow spiritually – hiding it’s truths in my heart so that I may not sin against my Heavenly Father. Consider beginning studying the Birth of the Bible (how the writings were collected and selected to be included to become the canons we accept as God’s Word to man.) These writings were ‘God-breathed’ – whereby the authors were led by the Holy Spirit of God to record these truths for our benefit. They have found lodging in the hearts and lives of many through the centuries.
The Message of the Bible focuses on God providing man with a means of reconciliation after Adam and Eve sinned and broke the perfect circle of fellowship God created in the Garden of Eden. The thread that runs all the way through the Scriptures centers on God restoring the world to full fellowship through the death/burial and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. John 3:16
Therefore, we come to the point whereby we ‘know we can trust the Bible to be true; it is the only book that has been collected over thousands of years, written by at least 40 different people…yet each book fits perfectly into a unified volume that points the way to Jesus…the Savior. That is why the Power of the Word is so important to our effectiveness as Believers today. That is why we must foster the strong desire to ‘know what is written in the Word.’
Throughout the Old Testament, the power of the Word is demonstrated. Genesis 1 we read “ God spoke the world into existence.” In Chapter 12, the Lord spoke to Abram (Abraham) telling him ‘to leave his country, his people and his father’s household and follow His leadership (go the land where I will show you). “I will make you a great nation and will bless you. I will make your name great and you will be a blessing to all the peoples of the world.’
Exodus 3 God speaks to Moses at the burning bush: “I am the God of your father, of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt, hearing their cry and I am concerned. So I have come down to rescue them and bring them out of that land into a good and spacious land, flowing with milk and honey. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people out of Egypt.’
And all through the history of mankind, we find evidence of God speaking to man, using various means to communicate. Today, He has the same desire to dialogue with each of us. He may ‘touch your spirit’ when you view the beauty of a sunrise in the early summer morn or when you hear the morning greeting of a distant bird on the fly. He may be trying to speak to you when you smell one of the beautiful red roses in bloom now. It may be a baby’s cry or a joyful song sung by a children’s choir at church. We have the full assurance that God talks to His children. He wants to have that kind of sweet, affectionate relationship with each of us.
This summer, why not offer God an opportunity to speak to you in this special way – through His Spirit – breathed Word. Let’s see, how about begin reading the Bible (again) and let each word speak to your heart! Perhaps one of the modern translations would be easier to read and understand. I like to read aloud and hear the words, re-read sentences if they are not clear to me, or put special emphasis on words to make them “alive”!
Instead of joining the library club to read 100 books this summer, set your sights on ‘reading the New Testament, or the Gospels; consider reading Psalms and Proverbs as a beginning place. Keep a dictionary handy or your i-pad so you can google words to help clarify their meaning. Allow God to speak to you through His written Word this summer. Consider trading just one – of those awful television programs for a ’30 minute visit with God?’
Listen for His soft still voice as He speaks to you as you read reverently His Word. When He speaks, you will want to follow His directing you to ‘go and do.’ God is speaking; are you listening?