TO READ,TO STUDY, OR TO MEDITATE?

How do you discover what the Bible says to you? Are you following God’s Word on what He wants you to know to follow Him?

READ

If you are a reader of the Bible, there are benefits of showing you God’s character and provide some revelation of himself. You may learn how holy, faithful, and loving He is.

Also, you may come to know what God wants you to do. If you read Matthew 22:37-38 you will find that God wants us to love Him with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. You will learn that this is the first and greatest commandment.

Do you know that God speaks to us through the Bible. Reading the Bible is like a baby drinking milk. What you begin to learn will be the introduction to your spiritual growth.

Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God’s word brings light to paths that otherwise seem dark. In the Bible you learn how to live wisely in God’s world, which is the first step toward finding your purpose. Psalm 23:2-3 says God will lead us.

You should not begin to read the Bible by jumping in and reading Revelation. My suggestion is to begin with 1,2,3,John or the Gospel of John. Otherwise, you may become discouraged. Another suggestion is to find a translation that is easy for you to read.

According to 2 Timothy3:16-17; All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God be complete, equipped for every good work. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. You need to focus on the important things. One of the rules of reading the Bible is found is found in James 4:17; Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is a sin.

STUDY

The second part of my message is about studying the Bible. Studying helps us to understand God and serve Him more efficiently. You need to understand that when God asks us to do something, He will reveal Himself to you so much more. You will learn about Him, depend on Him, Thank Him, and love others as He loves you.

Studying helps you seek out learning, wisdom, God’s will, faith, and much more. Jesus tells us to learn of me in Matthew 11:29. Take my yoke upon you and you will learn from me. The word yoke is a free gift to us that requires a willing submission on our part. It leads us to a posture of surrender and trust.

The Bible tells us in 2^nd Timothy 2:15 to study to show ourselves approved. Studying the Bible opens your understanding. There are many topics to chose from in the Bible. When you study the Bible you will encounter blessings, hope, answered prayers, guidance, and so much more.

MEDITATE

Below are some Scriptures that refer to meditation.

Both Psalm 1 and Psalm 119 are calling believers to mediate on the Scriptures. Your life will be blessed with a  nourishment of God’s source. When you meditate on God’s Word, you will receive a receptive heart by the working of the Holy Spirit.

 Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law, he meditates day and night.

Psalm 119:48 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.

Ephesians 4:23 And to be renewed in the spirit of your minds.

Matthew 4:4  But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Romans 12:2  Not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the  renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Ephesians 4:23  And to be renewed in the spirit of your minds.”

Colossians 3:2   Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

One of the most important factors of reading, studying, and meditation is searching for TRUTH. Regardless of what you may have heard, read, or seen; it must totally agree with what the Scriptures says. This is where the help of the Holy Spirit comes in. Don’t rely on your senses for God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit work in the Spiritual realm and so must you to know the truth and the truth will set you free according to John 8:32.

What ever method you choose in looking into God’s Word is beneficial. The deeper you investigate God’s Word, the closer you come to Him and the closer He comes to you. Life is all about choices. We can make wise choices or foolish ones. It’s your choice.

Jesus loves you and so do Is