Friday, August 28, 2015

Let me remind you that getting the message in God's Word is not merely an intellectual exercise. It’s a spiritual discipline. God wants to feed us, enlighten us, equip us and perfect us through His Word. He has given us His Spirit to teach us and remind us of all we have learned. He will guide us into all truth according to John 14:26, 16:13. In Ephesians 4:11-12 it says He at times will use others whom He has gifted to teach us. This would include books Spirit-gifted men and women have written for our enrichment. He also might use a small group discussion. For us to be teachable we must consciously surrender to His control and in prayer ask Him to fulfill His promised ministry in our lives. Prayer helps us in our preparation for study. Once we’ve studied God's Word it helps us in our praying. Listen to John 15:7, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you." In 1 John 5:14-15 you find the promise that if you pray for what you know is God's will He will hear and answer your prayer. Knowing what is in God's Word will help you determine what His will might be. Meditating on God's Word will make us wiser than our enemies, teachers or elders according to Psalm 119:97-100. Paul promised that God's Word will equip us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17). Give the Word of God and the discipline of reading, studying, memorizing and meditating on it high priority in your daily experience. Then, once you get God’s message, obey and trust it, and share it with others.