“The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” Psalm 19:8a, 10; John 15:11
Is your Bible a like a desert (dry, boring) or like a dessert (sweet, satisfying)? The Bible compares itself to food – and, considering the average American’s fetish with junk food, I’m not so sure that’s a good comparison. Most of the time, good food isn’t really good – if you know what I mean. We have to choose between good and good-for-us. But the Author would have you have your cake and eat it too (spiritually speaking). He desires to fill you with joy through His Words.
People don’t enjoy their Bible because they don’t __________________ it! What’s your guess? Because they don’t read it, understand it, obey it? Or is the answer deeper… because they don’t treasure it? Truth is, there’s not an easy, cookie-cutter answer to this question. It’s different for each person. Keep reading to find out your answer.
God’s Words are LIFE
In every realm, God’s Words are life: the natural, the physical, & the spiritual. In every form that God’s Word has taken, it is life: the uttered word, the Word made flesh, the Word recorded in Scripture. We were created by His Word (Hebrews 11:3). We are redeemed by His Word (James 1:18). We are sustained by His Word (Hebrews 1:3). We live by His Word (Matthew 4:4). In case you don’t get what I’m trying to say, God’s Word is the most powerful thing in the known universe. It’s more potent than the U.S.S.R.’s Big Ivan Bomb–a multistage hydrogen bomb (which contains 5.4 yottawatts –approximately 1.4% of the power output of the sun — with a blast more than 10x’s greater than all of WW2’s munitions combined). It’s more powerful than the Great Chilean earthquake of 1960 that registered a whopping 9.5 on the Richter scale. In fact, these things don’t even compare to the power of the Word of God!
The Bible Fuels your Joy
True joy has faith at it’s core – and there’s no real faith without God’s Word (John 20:31 & Romans 15:13). Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and where the Bible goes, so goes the Spirit (Romans 8:5). Hope and comfort come from the Scriptures (Romans 15:4). Joy is found in a freedom that many on death row have experienced (John 8:32). Peace and assurance of God’s great control fuels joy in the midst of difficulty (Ps. 119:50,52; 1 John 5:13). Find joy in the Bible’s wisdom (Prov. 3:13) and in the victory it guarantees (1 John 2:14).
Learning How to Enjoy Your Bible More…
George Mueller is a great example of the ‘blessed man’ of Psalm 1:1-3. He determined that his happiness would be in first seeking ‘soul nourishment’ by reading, pondering, and living-out the Word of God.
- Increased Bible INTAKE … reading / listening to it. How often does the Bible enter your heart (through your eyes and ears)? It will not affect you by osmosis! I’ve been encouraged the last two weeks to hear of three church members who have been making time to read their Bibles at work during down- and break-times. Many others have already chosen to use their commute times to listen to the Bible (CD/iPod).
- Increased Bible INTERACTION … meditating / talking about it. Is the Bible becoming a part of your soul (thoughts and emotions)? It takes time to digest its nutrients. This simple step of reviewing what you’ve read a couple of times a day will allow the nuclear energy of the Bible to radiate into your soul and amplify the Bible’s meaning exponentially in your life! But don’t just keep it in… talk about it with others. Ask questions about it. Tweet about it. (This is why small group study is so important!)
- Increased Bible INTEGRATION … obeying / applying it. The Bible was never meant to be a textbook or fact-book to be learned. It is God’s message of hope and salvation meant to be lived. Real Christianity (religion) happens when His Words come out of you, when you ‘Just Do It.’ (see James 1:25-27). God’s Word will change you from the inside out if you allow it.
Is your heart set to intake, interact, & integrate God’s Word into your life?
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. Ezra 7:10
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