We discussed the importance of prayer. Prayer keeps us close to God. We should never under estimate the importance and power of prayer. Having a way to talk with our Heavenly Father brings great comfort and joy.
It is said prayer is how we speak to God and reading God's word is how He speaks to us. This is true. The Bible is God's message to us and for us.
So it only makes sense to say the second ingredient of our spiritual trail mix is the study of God's word. Again, I'm not revealing some deep dark secret here. We all know how helpful studying the scriptures can be. We fortify our souls through Bible study.
As we study and learn of Christ and His ministry, we gain encouragement from the example He set for us. We also gain an understanding of His immeasurable love and mercy. The story of Christ is truly a story of love.
So it only makes sense to say the second ingredient of our spiritual trail mix is the study of God's word. Again, I'm not revealing some deep dark secret here. We all know how helpful studying the scriptures can be. We fortify our souls through Bible study.
As we study and learn of Christ and His ministry, we gain encouragement from the example He set for us. We also gain an understanding of His immeasurable love and mercy. The story of Christ is truly a story of love.
The only way we get to Heaven is through Christ. Jesus says, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). The only way to know Him is to read His story ... to read of all the good He did ... of His great compassion and love for us. The only way to know what He expects of us - and He does expect us to obey Him -- is to study the scriptures.
The Bible is a great tool for us. We study to find out God's truth. If we love Him like we say we love Him, why wouldn't we want to find out what He is saying to us? I must admit, sometimes I fall far short in this area too.
We need God's word to keep us on the right path. As we read examples from the great characters recorded in the Old Testament, we learn what it means to love God -- to walk with Him. We learn from otherwise quite ordinary people what faithfulness and obedience is. And we learn about the majesty and splendor of our Creator. These writings encourage us -- give us strength and hope.
The writings of the New Testament give us the wonderful story of our Savior, Jesus Christ. They also give us instructions for living a righteous life in the Christian age. We shouldn't depend only on our minister's lessons to know what to do or to keep us in touch with God. This is a personal responsibility.
Any relationship must be nurtured in order to be maintained and to grow. Building a friendship with someone means learning about them and spending time with them. Additionally, spending time in the scriptures allows us to grow our relationship with God.
We find peace and calm in knowing we are striving to live as Christ would have us to live. We gain that living hope Peter mentions in 1 Peter 1:3. We draw comfort and joy from knowing God rewards those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6).
I listed Bible study as the second ingredient in our spiritual trail mix and yet prayer and Bible study go hand in hand. Both are essential. Both are commanded (ah, but one must read the scriptures to know this). Both are extremely beneficial. And they work better together. Truly they do.
For many of us, the Bible never gets old. Those inspired words never lose their relevance. We never stop learning. Each time we study, we can find some new treasure - some new lesson -- some new way to apply the Truth to our daily walk. We live a better life when we follow God's word.
Knowing this doesn't mean I always find time to study my Bible on a daily basis. I allow myself to get distracted by the busyness of everyday living. I make excuses for myself (and that is what they are -- excuses). But even confessing this doesn't make it entirely right. It is up to me to make it right.
I can tell you though -- my day goes better when I spend time with God through Bible study and prayer. I know I need to do better and I know it is never too late to start doing the right thing! Besides, who gives me (us) our time anyway?
Our very life comes from God. He is the one who gives us our day. Doesn't it make sense to give part of it back to Him? The benefits are strength and energy to keep going.
After all, there are great rewards in staying on the trail.
"And let us not grow weary of doing good,
for in due season we will reap, if we faint not." (Galatians 6:9)
Christ above all things,
Robin
The Bible is a great tool for us. We study to find out God's truth. If we love Him like we say we love Him, why wouldn't we want to find out what He is saying to us? I must admit, sometimes I fall far short in this area too.
We need God's word to keep us on the right path. As we read examples from the great characters recorded in the Old Testament, we learn what it means to love God -- to walk with Him. We learn from otherwise quite ordinary people what faithfulness and obedience is. And we learn about the majesty and splendor of our Creator. These writings encourage us -- give us strength and hope.
The writings of the New Testament give us the wonderful story of our Savior, Jesus Christ. They also give us instructions for living a righteous life in the Christian age. We shouldn't depend only on our minister's lessons to know what to do or to keep us in touch with God. This is a personal responsibility.
Any relationship must be nurtured in order to be maintained and to grow. Building a friendship with someone means learning about them and spending time with them. Additionally, spending time in the scriptures allows us to grow our relationship with God.
We find peace and calm in knowing we are striving to live as Christ would have us to live. We gain that living hope Peter mentions in 1 Peter 1:3. We draw comfort and joy from knowing God rewards those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6).
I listed Bible study as the second ingredient in our spiritual trail mix and yet prayer and Bible study go hand in hand. Both are essential. Both are commanded (ah, but one must read the scriptures to know this). Both are extremely beneficial. And they work better together. Truly they do.
For many of us, the Bible never gets old. Those inspired words never lose their relevance. We never stop learning. Each time we study, we can find some new treasure - some new lesson -- some new way to apply the Truth to our daily walk. We live a better life when we follow God's word.
Knowing this doesn't mean I always find time to study my Bible on a daily basis. I allow myself to get distracted by the busyness of everyday living. I make excuses for myself (and that is what they are -- excuses). But even confessing this doesn't make it entirely right. It is up to me to make it right.
I can tell you though -- my day goes better when I spend time with God through Bible study and prayer. I know I need to do better and I know it is never too late to start doing the right thing! Besides, who gives me (us) our time anyway?
Our very life comes from God. He is the one who gives us our day. Doesn't it make sense to give part of it back to Him? The benefits are strength and energy to keep going.
After all, there are great rewards in staying on the trail.
"And let us not grow weary of doing good,
for in due season we will reap, if we faint not." (Galatians 6:9)
Christ above all things,
Robin
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