Growing From God's Word

4 May 08 - wow, long time ago as a Shaun far, far away

Growing from Gods Word

Matthew 4:4 “People need more than bread for their lives; you must live on every word of God.”

            If growth is the evidence of life, and in Gods word we must grow, there must be guidelines and a means of growth in scripture. In Hebrews 5:12 we see that as we grow in Christ we become preachers, just as in the Great and Last Commissions! We are to teach each other and help outsiders understand better as well. Our won personal growth will not stop thought as we must Read AND Study God’s word.

1.                  I MUST ACCEPT GODS WORD AS AUTHORITY

As we accept the Bible as the only means for Truth in our lives, we will grow with it, and it will grow in us; powerful! We will depend more on it instead of other things like: Culture in Exodus 23:2, Tradition in Mark 7:8, Reason in Proverbs 16:25, and Emotions in Judges 21:25.   

Not saying that any of these examples are bad, they are healthy and wholesome but they must not be trusted alone, or without fulfillment in scripture.

           

“Every part if scripture is God-breathed and is useful in one way or another – exposing us the truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live Gods way. Through the Word we are shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

God’s word is useful in so many ways and this verse names the more useful of those. God’s word will literally protect you in the face of Satan – take the temptation of Christ for example: Jesus bounced back with scripture each time.

Try to remember the “cow metaphor.” A cow will chew up its food and they swallow it. It will have nothing to eat for quite some time, and then it will be caught chewing again.  This is because the cow actually regurgitates the meal for better nourishment.  How awesome – we should do the same thing. Once we think we are done with a verse or a passage, come back to it again later, your mind will be fresh and you can see another aspect or flavor of it the next time around.

Here is a checklist of things to consider with scripture reading and study:

Sin to confess?                                                Error to avoid?

Promise to claim?                                            Truth to believe?

Attitude to change?                                        Something to thank God for?

Command to obey?                                         Example to follow?

Prayer to pray?                                                Commitment to make?