While going for a walk with my uncle, I met a new friend, Jack. He was sitting in a chair, on the driveway, enjoying the sunshine and warm temperatures. All of a sudden he got up and started jogging about 40 feet, then he walked back and sat in the chair. In a little while he repeated the jog. I learned that Jack does five "sprints" after he takes a long walk! He also shared that he has written a book about running and sure enough they are all over the internet. Jack is 91 years old and ran the New York City marathon seven times. He believes to be able to run you must build up to it. You must train to be prepared. I asked Jack if I could use this for my blog about being prepared for tough times by studying God's Word. He told me, of course, it is the same thing! When I asked if I could take a picture , he told me to take a video! What an inspiration Jack is!
When asked why we should study God's Word most people will first tell you why they do not study the Word. The excuses are that the Bible is too difficult to understand and that it is boring. The Bible has drama, passion, crime, devotion, mystery, suspense and anything else you need! While the settings may be foreign to us, the issues and struggles are the same. And God tells us that His Living Word is alive. And it will bring life to us. John 6: 63, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life." We need to be in training! If you don't spend time with the Lord in the calm of life, you won't know how to trust Him in the storms!
1 Chronicles 22:19, "Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God." If we are to seek God then there is no better way than to learn about Him through His Word! If you are like me and need help understanding the Scriptures ask God to help you understand the Scriptures. Ask Him to speak to you through the Scriptures. One thing I learned years ago is after I read to be still and quiet and say, "Speak to me Father, Your servant is listening." It is amazing what comes to mind or should I say, heart! God has blessed us all with the ability to know Him better through His Word. He does not expect us to be Bible scholars, but I believe He expects us to use our abilities to seek and engage His Word on a regular basis.
Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3: 16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." We also need to know Scripture so we know sound doctrine. There are many people, including me, writing about God's Word. They may misinterpret something or they may use false teaching for a personal agenda. The Bible tells us in 1 Timothy 4: 16, " Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." Titus 2: 1, "You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine."
I think one of the biggest reasons we need to know God's Word is because we are going to face many trials in our lives. John 16: 33, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." During those times we will we need God's peace. Psalm 46: 1-3, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." God gives us hope and peace!
As we grow through these trials we learn to lean on God, more and more, developing a deeper faith. We begin to believe that God is our refuge and help and we have nothing to fear. Proverbs 3: 5, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." If we are already in the Word, when trouble comes, we will be better prepared. We will remember that our Lord is God. He is Sovereign. He is our strength. He is never changing. He will never leave us. He is our fortress and place of safety. Nothing is too difficult for Him. And we will be a witness for Him as other's watch how we handle our tough times! People won't have to hear us say we are a Christian, they will see it. Hard times will consistently be here but so will Jesus!
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