SCRIPTURE
“Therefore, get rid of moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:21-25
SPOTLIGHT
Some Bibles are dust collectors. Others are an ornament on the mantle. Still others are treated like history, science, or philosophy textbooks. How do you treat your Bible?
When you go to church, which book do you want the preacher to use to preach from? Would it be a science, or history text, an encyclopedia, a newspaper, or the Bible?
How do you treat your Bible? The answer to that question will tell me if you consider it to be the highest written authority your life. In the letter written by James, he directs Christians to use their Bibles in 4 specific ways.
The first way is to ACCEPT IT. Look at the first bold print in the Scripture text above. Receive the Bible as God’s personal written word to you. The Pony Express ran from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, which was a distance of 1,900 miles. The trip took 40 men riding 50 miles a day, on 500 horses, in a 10-day period. Letters had to be written on thin paper and postage was $5.00 an ounce. Surprisingly, each rider carried a full-sized Bible, which was presented to him upon joining the team. It is so very important to accept the Bible as God’s inspired, inerrant, infallible and insightful written Word to you. It is God’s voice which will never mislead, or misinform you. The Holy Bible is life’s highest authority and anchor.
The second way is to LISTEN TO IT. Look at the second bold print in the Scripture text above. Make the Bible your life’s compass. Someone said that the letters stand for;
B asic
I nstruction
B efore
L eaving
E arth
How well do you listen to God’s Word when you read it, or hear it preached? Are you careless, or do you consider what you hear? Romans 8:17 states, “Faith comes from hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ.” The Holy Spirit creates faith in your listening heart.
The third way to treat your Bible is to DO WHAT IT SAYS. Look at the third bold print in the Scripture text above. The Bible is life’s mirror. God wants you to gaze into it and change. Obey God’s Word and be blessed. Great reward is yours when you live by the principles and truths God gives us. Read Psalm 1 which describes the great blessing that is yours when you do what God teaches.
The fourth way to treat your Bible is to LOOK INTENTLY AT IT. Look at the fourth bold print in the Scripture text above. It is important to study God’s Word. Examine it so you will not forget it. Hide it in your heart. Memorize it. Meditate on it. Psalm 119:11 states, “I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:105 states, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” You are what you eat! Jeremiah said, “When Your Words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear Your name, O Lord God Almighty.” [Jeremiah 15:16.] Make your Bible the daily place where you feed yourself.
Now all you have to do is go for it. Accept God’s Word as your life’s anchor. Listen to God’s Word as your life’s compass. Do God’s Word as your life’s mirror. Look intently at God’s Word as your life’s soul food.
SOMETHING TO DO
Choose one verse of Scripture today and do the following 7 activities;
#1 Read it.
#2 Say it out loud.
#3 Personalize it.
#4 Meditate on it.
#5 Share it.
#6 Pray it.
#7 Sing it.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching me how to treat Your Word, the Holy Bible. I want to become like David who prayed, “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”[Psalm 63:1] AMEN!