Alrighty, you guys ready to finish up this series on getting the most out of the word? There are two R’s left to help us in our journey of growth through the Bible, the first is remembering. We all remember things that are important to us like dates, people, events, phone numbers and so on. In the same sense, the Bible is so important to memorize because it comes with incredible benefits.
Knowing the word by heart can help you:
· Resist temptation
· Make wise decisions
· Reduce stress
· Build confidence
· Offer advice
· Allows witnessing
That right there is a list of gold! Knowing God’s word is worth more than anything you could ever imagine, but we have to remember it to be able to reap the benefits.
“For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” James 1:23-25 (NLT)
If you don’t know where to start there are tools that can help in your efforts to memorize the Bible. Use index cards and carry them with you, read aloud and review, review, review! Colossians 3:15 says, “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” (NLT)
Along with remembering, reflection is necessary to solidify our growth. Reflection or meditation is focused thinking. Worry is focusing on something negative, do the opposite and meditate (relfect) on the Word not worries!
Try it. Select a verse and reflect on it over and over in your mind (what does it mean, how can you apply it to your life, what is God trying to tell you through that verse?)
*NO OTHER HABIT CAN DO MORE TO TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE AND MAKE YOU MORE LIKE JESUS THAN DAILY REFLECTION ON SCRIPTURE!*
It is almost incomprehensible the impact reflecting can have, John 15:7 says, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you.” (NIV) Did you get that? He is saying, know me, know my Word and what you ask, I will provide! Crazy amazing!!
So I have given you these “R’s” to help you in your walk but guess what, there’s one more step; you have to put them into practice! This is the hardest part because Satan fights it so intensely. Author Rick Warren writes, “God’s word exposes our motives points out our faults, rebukes our sin and EXPECTS US TO CHANGE, it’s human nature to resist change and so applying God’s word to life is hard!”
You have to internalize the principles of the Bible because blessings come from obedience not just “knowing”. God did not provide the Bible to increase your knowledge, like a book, but to change and challenge who you are and the way you live.
Jesus said, “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.” Matthew 7:24 & 25 (MSG)
Receive, Read, Research, Remember, Reflect and change your life through the Word of Our Almighty God!
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